Yesterday, Amazon launched a beta of Amazon MP3, a Web-based store that sells music without restrictive DRM and in the widely supported MP3 format. Unlike other stores based off Microsoft DRM technology and file formats, this means that Amazon files can easily be played on the most popular portable devices -- Apple's iPod family. Consumers will benefit from the store launch, and at last, Apple will be given some real competition in the digital download market. As usual, some of the major record labels still can't decide what to do, despite seeing the success of the Apple store.

Continue reading "Amazon MP3 store is the first real Apple challenger" »

Posted by TomR at 03:22 PM | Permalink

Apple continues to generate an enormous amount of publicity around its iPhone product line. Its preview, launch, and price cut, as well as numerous events in between, have made it this year's most covered technology product. Other tech vendors can leverage some -- but not all -- of the lessons learned during the short life of the iPhone.

Continue reading "Marketing lessons from Apple: The iPhone price drop & rebate" »

Posted by TomR at 10:59 AM | Permalink