Comments on: Can Amazon take a bite out of Apple?

By: Mathew

Mathew — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:54:55 +0000

The confusion may have started with me, Rod. I know that the term “ecosystem” has been used to mean the accessories and other add-ons that have developed around the iPod, but I meant it much more the way Nav describes it — as a way of getting across how closely a person’s experience of music and all aspects of it are tied to the iPod and iTunes (in a good way, of course :-))

By: rod

rod — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:44:58 +0000

Fair enough; when I hear ecosystem, I think of the iPod industry that has sprung up around the brand - accessories, etc. that extend the “iPod-ness” beyond the core user-experience. - hence my comment :)

By: Nav

Nav — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:09:00 +0000

Rod, when I spoke of the ecosystem, I did mean the simplicity entailed in having a centralised approach to content on a PC, from playback, to purchasing, to transferring to a device. Indeed, I think that sort of ‘one stop’ simplicity is precisely why iTunes-iPod is so successful.

By: rod

rod — Thu, 17 May 2007 15:24:46 +0000

I think the notion of ecosystem de-emphasizes the most compelling part of the Apple-iTunes-iPod user experience: Simplicity. One interface to manage your purchases, you music at home, your music on the go, access the store, etc. With Amazon, there’s going to be different interfaces for shopping, managing your collection, managing your “to-go” player, etc. - multiple apps, files here and there, etc.

Unless I see something compelling from Amazon, I’ll stay with iTunes, and I’m willing to bet most other people will too: it saves me time, and makes what used to be a logistical PITA simple.

By: Nav

Nav — Wed, 16 May 2007 23:34:16 +0000

I think the choice of MP3s over AACs could be significant, as all MP3 players - including anything that plays MP3 CDs - could utilise these files, from your cheapest knock-off to your top of the line iPod or Archos.

But the question of the ecosystem is an important one - iTunes is the centre of a lot of folks’ media universe. One question is how Amazon will deliver these files, whether through a web-based solution, a Windows Media Player add-on or a new, dedicated jukebox software. Looking at Sony’s disastrous experiments with Sonicstage and Connect and the effect it had on their business, if Amazon goes the software route, they best beta test it until it’s near perfect.

Also - any word yet on whether this will be another US only thing? Or is amazon.ca going to join in the fun?