An online audio store is an Internet service that sells audio, usually primarily music, on a per-song and/or subscription basis. The realization of the market for these services grew widespread around the time of Napster, a music and file sharing service created by Shawn Fanning that made a major impact on the Internet scene during the year 2000. Some services have tethered downloads, meaning that playing songs requires an active membership.
Compared to file swapping
Much controversy surrounds this issue, so many or perhaps all of these points are disputed.Advantages
Disadvantages
Stores
Along with those mentioned, companies like Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and Coca-Cola have plans for paid services as well.Audible.com
iTunes Music Store
See iTunes Music Store.Rhapsody (aka Listen.com)
See Rhapsody.EMusic
See EMusic.MusicNet
See MusicNet.BuyMusic
See BuyMusic.pressplay (aka Napster)
See pressplay.
pressplay has rights to the name Napster, despite costing money.Musicmatch Downloads (aka Dell Music Store)
See Musicmatch Downloads.Pricing
Per-song
Subscription
Platform
Linux
Macintosh
Windows
External links