I'm by no means an expert in this area, but I'd say that it was just as easy if not easier than buying from iTunes for a couple of reasons. Mainly, I didn't have to check if my download was a DRM-free version — everything downloadable from Amazon is unrestricted. Also, (and this is a big one for me) I didn't have to walk into the other room to use the Windows machine or iTunes. I know I'm in the minority there, but I don't think I should have to use a major platform to buy something as simple as music.
The entire transaction was as simple. I browse, pick a song, click "buy," log in, verify credit card info, and then download. The download was just a regular HTTP download that went flawlessly, though they do offer an optional downloader for windows that integrates your download automatically with iTunes and/or Windows Media Player. $0.89 and two minutes later, I had a MP3. That's how it should be.
Amazon's downloads are plain old 256Kbit MP3s, which aren't going to please an audiophile, but offer enough quality for most casual tasks. The big win is that MP3 is the most portable digital audio format, hands down. I can play that MP3 without conversion on any computer, my DS, my phone, my modded PS2, our APEX DVD player, my mom's Treo, my brother's Creative MuVo, or even the Wii if I stream it through a flash applet on a webpage. In addition, this little MP3 will probably outlast every piece of physical media I have, because Amazon lets me copy it wherever I want. A business model based on trusting the customer? What a novel concept.
But even if I do lose it, I can view everything I've downloaded from Amazon in their "yourmedialibrary" and re-download it. And as far as the requirements for purchasing and downloading, this is what their FAQ says: "You can buy songs from any computer with a web browser capable of downloading files from the Internet." It's probably not that simple, but I admire their optimism. Amazon has a really winning combination here, and I'll be coming back for more.
What song did I get, you ask? You're A Mean One, Mr. Grinch. :D
Love the artist's name!
I love how the guy's name who sings this is "Thurl Ravenscroft". It suits the sinister character of the guy's voice. For those of you who don't know Chip in person, it rather matches his voice quite well.
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