AppleInsider Staff
Amazon's browser-based MP3 store has been optimized for the iPhone and iPod touch, allowing users to more easily purchase songs through their mobile Safari browser.
Amazon's catalog of 22 million songs, now available on iOS devices at amazon.com/mp3, competes with Apple's own iTunes Store. While Apple has a dedicated iTunes application on iOS devices for selling content, users must open a browser to purchase through Amazon because of Apple's App Store rules.
Music purchases through Amazon are automatically saved to a user's "Cloud Player" library. Those tracks can be downloaded or played instantly from any iPhone, iPod touch or iPad using the official Amazon Cloud Player app.
"Since the launch of the Amazon Cloud Player app for iPhone and iPod touch, a top request from customers has been the ability to buy music from Amazon right from their devices," said Steve Boom, Vice President of Amazon Music. "For the first time ever, iOS users have a way do that — now they can access Amazon's huge catalog of music, features like personalized recommendations, deals like albums for $5, songs for $0.69, and they can buy their music once and use it everywhere."
Features of the Amazon MP3 mobile store include:
- Built on HTML5 and designed for iPhone and iPod touch.
- Access to everyday deals like $5 albums, $0.69 songs, and free songs from artists on the rise.
- Individualized recommendations based on purchase history.
- Immediate availability and seamless playback of purchases in the Amazon Cloud Player app.
- Free storage of all Amazon MP3 purchases in Amazon Cloud Player.
The Amazon Cloud Player application launched last June on the iOS App Store. Amazon does not sell songs through the app and requires users to launch a browser because Apple takes a 30 percent cut of all content sold through applications available in the iOS App Store.
Marko Zivkovic
Wesley Hilliard
Christine McKee
Malcolm Owen
William Gallagher
Andrew O'Hara
41 Comments
Optimized? Inspired by WP8, with cut-off text and all? I don't know, I buy from iTunes. What are the benefits of buying from Amazon? I know they are often cheaper, but you'll miss out on the Apple eco system, you know, buy on iPhone, see it pop up on iPad and all that.
The Amazon Cloud Player application launched last June on the iOS App Store. Amazon does not sell songs through the app and requires users to launch a browser because Apple takes a 30 percent cut of all content sold through applications available in the iOS App Store.
That's a slick way to get around the system
I buy from amazon because I'm cheap. (I know the irony since Apple is pricey). I add the songs to iTunes and sync my iDevices.
[quote name="jungmark" url="/t/155507/amazons-mp3-web-store-now-optimized-for-apples-iphone-ipod-touch#post_2260362"]I buy from amazon because I'm cheap. (I know the irony since Apple is pricey). I add the songs to iTunes and sync my iDevices.[/quote] Agreed. Amazon is: - Cheaper than iTunes - massively when they have sales on - Cross platform (i.e. doesn't lock you into iTunes) - Has neat features like AutoRip so when you order your CD you instantly get the music too, for one price - Has a great iOS app which syncs your music automatically when you buy an album (or manually if you prefer) - the list goes on...
[quote name="realwarder" url="/t/155507/amazons-mp3-web-store-now-optimized-for-apples-iphone-ipod-touch#post_2260368"]...when you order your CD you instantly get the music too...[/quote] Was does this mean?