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General discussion

Amazon-branded mp3 player and music download store?

Feb 21, 2006 1:21AM PST

I think they mentioned this on BOL on Friday? They definitely mentioned it on TWIT. I'm wondering what people think about this. What would make you want to buy an Amazon player and subscribe to their service?

First, I'm like Tom, I want to buy individual songs. So, if they don't have that option I'm not even going to be interested, frequent Amazon shopper that I am.

Second, I think if they have their own branded player, they'll have to sell it at a really good price to get a bunch of new users. Like, below cost. Esp. if they want to get people hooked into a monthly subscription thing.

I personally hate the fact that you have to have iTunes or Internet Explorer to download songs, it seems. If anyone knows a service where you can pay for individual songs and you don't need IE to do it, please let me know. Most of them use IE and Windows Media player because of DRM. I hate having to use IE if I can possibly help it.

I'm interested to hear what others think about this and whether they would buy it.

Discussion is locked

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I'm perfectly happy with my iPod and iTMS
Feb 21, 2006 1:43AM PST

It's almost eerie that you post this thread, as I'm currently listening to TWiT, and they JUST spoke about this. It's like you're in my head! Happy

Personally, I don't think it would be as good as Apple's, but that's just me.

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DigitalMusic
Feb 21, 2006 2:02AM PST

Amazon's effort is doomed to fail. There is no brand loyalty for a consumer device from Amazon. Apple will continue to lead in market share for devices and music sales, while some service from Microsoft could be a distant second.

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So, is it doomed, or are there ways it could work?
Feb 21, 2006 8:54AM PST

What I'm getting at, here, is for those of us who don't use iTunes, what are we looking for in a digital music player/store and what could Amazon do to get us to buy music from them? If you were advising Amazon, what would you say? What would interest you?

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Here is what would interest me...
Feb 21, 2006 9:29AM PST

The thing that would interest me is if it were a per month fee and you had unlimited downloads... that would peak my interest. no one does that (well some do, but they are small time stores)

I think i did hear that in the rumor mill that amazon was gonna go that way...

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Amazon Music Store
Feb 22, 2006 2:09AM PST

A store set up by Amazon would need to have a price point that was lower than Napster, Rhapsody, and Yahoo. Plus if Amazon was going to try to go the Apple route by only having their own devices compatible with the service, people just won't go for it. Microsoft is at least licensing PlayForSure to several music stores and hardware companies. I wouldn't consier Rhapsody or Yahoo small time. With Apple holding an 80% market share, anyone else will seem small.