OPINION
iTunes' Rivals Are Worth a Look

In the world of physical music sales -- yes, CDs still exist -- there is little reason to spend US$14 for an album while another retailer offers it for $10. We shop around for price.

So why spend more at an online store when a virtual competitor is a mouse click away? Moreover, why shop for music at a place where you can play that purchase on only one company's line of digital music devices?

Rhapsody's Song

Slowly and thankfully, that is changing.

On Monday, Rhapsody introduced a revised music store, providing a digital format to purchase albums and songs without any restrictions as to how you play them or on what device.

Prices will be similar to what iTunes offers, at least initially.

Amazon's Tune

This is not a slam against Apple, mind you, it's just a plea to look around. Apple, too, sells some songs without digital restrictions, but the majority of music sold at the iTunes Store will not play on a Sansa Clip or a Zune.

I've been using Amazon's (Nasdaq: AMZN) MP3 store for my purchases lately, and I couldn't be happier. The download tool incorporates well with iTunes, so I often spend less on music. Everything transfers simply to my iPod, and my ears can't tell the difference.

Amazon offers deals often significantly better than iTunes. Right now, for instance, I could buy Mariah Carey's recent album, released in April, at the Amazon MP3 store for $3.99.

Now, iTunes does have deals. I bought several fine albums last year for about $7, but much of that music still plays only on an Apple-approved gadget.

So now that Rhapsody has joined Amazon, Napster and eMusic by offering all its music without usage restrictions, we are approaching a digital music landscape much like that of the physical world: Buy music where you get the best deal and play it on the device you like best.

Let's call it choice.