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Best value, no DRM
- Good pricing
- DRM-free files
- Full albums available for download
- Quirky search feature
- No subscription service
PC Magazine offers a good, if slightly dated, overview of the pros and cons of AmazonMP3's music service. A shorter write-up at About.com leads to a longer, more detailed review outlining the reasons that Digital Electronics guide Mark Harris considers AmazonMP3 one of the best music services available. TopTenReviews.com and Digital Trends provide more direct comparisons of AmazonMP3 to the competition.
Introduced in 2007, AmazonMP3 is one of the newer music services on the market. Its library is not as extensive as that of Napster (*est. 99¢ per track) or iTunes (*est. 99¢ per track), but reviewers say its catalog of 3,000,000+ songs will suit most users just fine. Critics note that AmazonMP3 still has some kinks to work out -- chief among them the usability of the search feature -- but most appreciate the fact that Amazon's tracks and albums are reasonably priced and DRM-free, offering users the most flexibility with their purchases.
Our Sources
Though this review was written when AmazonMP3 was still in beta, it offers a nice summary of the pros and cons of this particular service. The full review also provides a level of detail not found with many other sources: Author Rick Broida touches on usability issues, sound quality, key features and other aspects of performance and value. Broida is particularly pleased with the DRM-free music selection.
Review: AmazonMP3 (beta) Review, Rick Broida, Oct. 3, 2007
Coverage of AmazonMP3 Editors at TopTenReviews.com rate AmazonMP3 in terms of selection, features and customer support. The review has a wealth of useful information, including screenshots. AmazonMP3 scores well, following closely behind top services Napster and iTunes.
Review: Amazon MP3 Review 2008, Editors of TopTenReviews.com
In this update of an older article, reviewer Chris Nickson says that in many cases there's not a great deal of difference between major sites' music libraries, so his ratings criteria are more about interface and copyright policies. His overall favorite of the seven music download sites covered here is newcomer Amazon MP3, which Nickson says offers the most flexibility for a good price.
Review: Music Download Services Compared, Chris Nickson
4. About.com
About.com site guide Mark Harris has a thorough write-up of Amazon MP3, but it's not clear from the description whether or not he personally tested the service. The review includes pros, cons and a list of specs.
Review: Amazon MP3 Review: Will DRM-free Downloads Make Amazon MP3 an iTunes Killer?, Mark Harris
Music Downloads Runners Up:
5 picks by top review sites.
2 picks including: About.com, PC World…