Amazon, Google to take on iTunes
updated 05:30 pm EST, Mon February 13, 2006
Amazon, Google, iTunes
Google and Amazon are both looking to take down Apple's share of the legal download market, according to a report. The Financial Times says that while Amazon is further along in its plans than Google is--Amazon may launch its download service sometime in the second quarter of the year-both are ripe for competition with Apple, which currently holds 70-80 percent of the legal download market. Google continues to deny any plans for a music store in addition to its video store, and denies rumours of a merge with or takeover of Napster, but had "very serious discussions with the music industry later last year" according to the report.
Amazon has already expressed its interest in launching a movie download service, and the Financial Times says Amazon is currently in talks with various film studios to ensure the plans. Wal-Mart has reportedly also been approached by various studios seeking to install kiosks in the stores where consumers "could use digital technology to download films on to portable discs."
