Amazon MP3 – Success!

I was listening to 89.3 the Current over the web, a station that Addie got me hooked on when I was up in Minnesota for the Wetterling campaign last October.

My favorite 89.3 deejay, Mark Wheat (love the accent) played a Snow Patrol song that I decided was worth purchasing.

But, for the first time since I actually started purchasing MP3′s (as opposed to leeching off of the internet or just buying the CD, the latter of which I’ve always preferred), I didn’t use iTunes! I finally got a chance to test out Amazon MP3: “You Could Be Happy” – Snow Patrol (amazonmp3)

Amazon MP3 went live (in Beta, at least) in late September. Why I’m so thrilled:

• high quality, 256 kbps MP3 files, which means:
  • no digital rights management, and
  • it works on any mp3 player!
• the downloader was quick and easy to install
• it loaded the files right into iTunes, seemlessly

Now, I just need Amazon to expand its selection – the 2 million songs and the several music labels it has signed on are nothing to sneeze at, but I’ve been really pleased with iTunes offering even Bollywood music these days.

Going back to iTunes, I will say that I’m pretty happy about what Apple has done in terms of taking us out of the scary days of the RIAA suing children, and pulling the music industry kicking and screaming into the 21st century. And I love Apple for its constant innovation. But you gotta love seeing a market mature to the point where there’s actual competition, and alternatives for the discerning consumer…

Speaking of which, I can’t wait to read this month’s Fast Company cover story: “All Eyes on Apple“… just got it in the mail today!