Amazon MP3 became the first online store to offer DRM-free music from all-four major studios earlier this year, and we've been waiting patiently for the US-only store to make its global debut.
Fortunately, that wait appears to be coming to an end for some as various reports have today suggested that the UK launch of Amazon MP3 will take place as soon as next month.
Since its launch in September 2007, Amazon's US store has grown to offer a catalogue of over five million DRM-free songs. The tracks are offered to customers in the 256kbps variable-bitrate MP3 format and can be played back on virtually any device - unlike DRM-restricted files purchased from Apple's iTunes.
US customers have also been treated to prices generally lower than those offered on iTunes, Amazon's singles are priced at $0.89 to $0.99 and full albums retail at $5.99 to $9.99. UK pricing, however, hasn't yet been disclosed.
Despite its obvious advantages, Amazon's MP3 store has one significant disadvantage - its interface is far-less intuitive than that of Apple's iTunes and Microsoft's Zune Marketplace.
Nonetheless, it'll be a welcome addition to the increasingly competitive digital music market and its DRM-free attitude will appeal to customers.
