Amazon cuts MP3 prices to 29p, as Apple hits 99p

 

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By Stuart Turton

Posted on 6 Apr 2009 at 11:52

Amazon is offering more than 100 MP3 tracks for only 29 pence, as it continues to take the price fight to iTunes.

The cleverly-timed move comes just a day ahead of an Apple price hike that will see the company charge 99p for the latest chart hits on iTunes, up from the flat 79p rate. Some back catalogue tracks will be reduced to 59p on iTunes.

While one would probably expect songs from Fleetwood Mac and Glen Miller to fall into the Amazon bargain bin, current number one Lady GaGa and Kings of Leon's Sex on Fire can also be found in the impressively varied list of tracks. The list also caters for jazz lovers, classical, indie and hip-hop.

It will be interesting to see how iTunes responds to this latest price challenge. Apple recently caused a stir by charging UK users 20 pence just to upgrade from DRM-versions of their tracks to unprotected versions.

Amazon launched its MP3 shop back in Decemeber, and immediately signalled its intent by offering a range of popular albums including Kings of Leon and Coldplay for as little as £3, with individual tracks going for 59p.

Since then the retailer claims to have added 10,000 tracks a day, bringing its total to five million songs.