Amazon launches site to rival iTunes

Amazon has launched an MP3 website that aims to rival services offered by iTunes and Play.com. The etailer has slashed prices as part of its launch, with selected big-name albums available for just £3.

The online retailer has agreed deals with the four mainstream music record labels, SonyBMG, Universal Music, EMI Music and Warner Music, and is offering a “launch promotion” featuring albums such as Only By The Night by Kings of Leon and Take That’s The Circus.

Songs will also be available for less than its competitors starting at 59p, which is 20p less than Apple’s iTunes.

Amazon MP3 will be available worldwide and will be promoted to its 84 million customers through its regular e-newsletters.

Songs will be available for downloading onto any MP3 player or mobile handset, including iPhones and Blackberries.

Amazon says it is free of digital rights restrictions and it will allow users to freely move songs across computers and MP3 players without restrictions.

The site has been live in the US since September last year and Amazon says its success with US fans should be reflected across Europe from today (December 4), when the site goes live.