Go Amazon!!

Amazon has launched a cloud based storage service that works in tandem with their MP3 Store. From now on, albums purchased from Amazon MP3 can be stored on the cloud. These albums WILL NOT count against your free 5GB limit (but albums previously bought off Amazon and uploaded to the cloud will). As of right now, they are also offering you an upgrade to 20GB of storage if you buy an album.

This may be an iTunes killer (we can only hope!). DRM free music, stored on a cloud for free (wow, download your music whenever you want, to as many places as you want, wherever you are. It's like you almost *own* the music!</sarcasm>). They currently have a Web and Android-based cloud player. Now, your music will be available anywhere you have an Internet connection.

No word yet if they will offer a desktop client similar to Dropbox.(A service I currently use for my files).

Here is a list of what you can store on the cloud:

Store More than Music
Cloud Drive allows customers to upload and store all kinds of digital files; music, photos, videos and documents can be stored securely and are available via web browser on any computer. In addition to the 5 GB of free storage, customers can purchase storage plans starting at $20 a year for 20 GB.

		Cloud Drive		Cloud Player for Web		Cloud Player for Android
Cost		-5 GB: Free -20 GB: Free for one year with purchase of MP3 album -Additional storage plans starting at $20 a year		-Free		-Free
Storage		-Digital Music -Videos -Photos -Documents		-N/A		-N/A
Format		-Music: Any type of file -Video: Any type of file -Pictures: Any type of file -Documents: Any type of file		-Music: MP3, AAC		-Music: MP3, AAC
Compatible Devices		-Macs -PCs		-Android Phones -Android Tablets -Macs -PCs		-Android Phones -Android Tablets
Audio Quality		-N/A		-Original bit rate of your music file		-Original bit rate of your music file
Basic Features		-Upload, download, move, copy, delete, rename.		-Upload, download, playback, playlist management		-Upload, download, playback, playlist management

Expect a review from me in the next few days on the player for both the Web and Android. I am currently rocking to a little Fat Boy Slim via the web player.

As one who is somewhat (okay vehemently) anti the "Proprietary, controlling, homogenous" world that is Apple, this is good news.