Contrary to all the nerds postings around the net, it's not DRM. Sure iTunes DRM is "bad" the way taxes are "Bad." But it's not so bad that anyone would choose an alternative because of it. The only thing that could unseat itunes is something "better" than itunes. Not "less restrictive".

Our Guest here, masquerading as someone looking for consumers' best, is trying to make sure RIAA gets what it wants: to dethrone iTunes from No. 1 spot in the US.

There is only one reason Amazon and Walmart (and others) are getting these sweet deals from the labels (including Universal): the deals are good ONLY until Apple is dethroned. Once the combined forces of Amazon, Wal-Mart and others manage to sell more than Apple, new deals will be put in place. No more unrestricted music, no more cheap single downloads. We'll see the return of the Album, bundling, packaging, restrictive, or "premium" pricing. Consumer choices will remain with Apple, until Apple's iTunes disappears.

Fortunately, nobody really bothers to go to our Guest's site. People use iTunes despite Amazon's DRM-free content. They use iTunes because it's most convenient, most practical and seamlessly integrated into their iPod/iPhone experience.

Anyone who purchases Amazon tracks is helping RIAA in its quest to limit consumer choice and maximise their own profit at the expense of the consumer.

Hopefully, this battle will soon be over, the labels will capitulate and let Apple remove DRM from ALL their tracks. The wait shouldn't be long.

When something interesting catches my ear, I will first check iTunes plus. If present, I will buy. If not, I will go to Amazon. Sorry.

I hate the DRM and find it an inconvenience.

The quality of the itunes track is a bit better, as I noticed when listening to subsequent tracks on my iPhone with iMuffs (decent quality). i do note the source, and the iTunes purchased songs tend to be clearer and crisper within the same genre or even artist (The Capitol Years I have purchased from both, as well as Steely Dan and STP). Qualitatevely, the iTunes tracks seem to be better, with or without DRM.

I buy CDs to avoid this nonsense. Heck, I buy import CDs to avoid the U.S. music scene as a whole.

In regards to Amazon and the like; they don't need to unseat Apple. As long as they make a profit, they will be golden.

Now who will unseat Apple's iTunes Store and the iPod? Apple, of course. Just as Sony shot themselves in the foot by refusing to embrace digital music early on...and basically ending the Walkman name in the U.S...Apple could do something similar if they let their hubris get the best of them.

Has anyone compared Apple and mp3s to Microsoft and Windows? A lot of striking similarities. Its amazing that any company with a huge market share ain't much different than the rest.

Has anyone compared Apple and mp3s to Microsoft and Windows? A lot of striking similarities. Its amazing that any company with a huge market share ain't much different than the rest.

I would buy from Amazon, esp. when they have an album on sale. But after downloading their special MP3 downloader (WTF?!) only to discover it doesn't work in Canada (WTF??!!!), they lost a customer, at least for the time being.

Oh, did I mention the MP3 downloader opens an "ad hole" in Safari? And that there's no uninstaller? Nice.

I'm with dynsight, sort of. I will try to buy iTunes Plus first and foremost, but if that's not available I will buy the CD if I can find it used or on sale for less than $10. Won't pay more than $10-12 for any normal CD, period end of story.

PS. 256kbps AAC sounds better to my ears than 256kbps MP3. Not that there's a huge difference, but it's enough to make a difference.

indeed. not much different eh? one difference, ms is late to EVERYTHING and copies, bullies and buys their way into the market.
it is so very very strange that ms, very late to the game, put up something that is so similar to the leader. yep, strange indeed.

I don't appreciate you talking about multiple sclerosis like that. It's just sick.