iTunes is a free software application for Mac and Windows that you must first download, then use to find and buy songs.
Music downloaded from iTunes Music Store comes in an .m4p/.aac format that only plays on the iTunes Digital
Jukebox or on an iPod.
This lack of music player versatility is the main reason this service was beat
out by Musicmatch On-Demand for our #1 spot.
iTunes Screenshots. Click to Enlarge
MP3 Music Selection:
iTunes Music Store offers an unbeatable music selection, larger than every other service we've seen with over 1.5
million titles. While browsing through its 24 genre categories, you can find
almost any kind of music imaginable. Also, whenever you log into the service,
iTunes updates you on all the latest music titles added to the store.
Search Capablities:
Searching for music at iTunes Music
Store is straightforward and simple; the website offers searches by Artist, Song, Album and even Composer. You can also browse the
store's selection by genre if you don't have a specific artist or song in
mind.
Feature Set:
Besides offering every feature we felt should be standard for music download services,
iTunes Music Store has a couple of cool extras, like a screen that shows music
news, new artist info and the ability to make custom printed insert covers for
CDs you create.
However, you must use the iTunes Digital Jukebox or an
iPod to take advantage of this service; this limitation lowered iTunes'
score.
Download/Setup:
Unless you use an Apple computeror use AOL, you must sign up for a free Apple account before using the iTunes
Music Store. Each time you login, the store updates you on the latest music and
artists they've added to the collection; this also takes a bit of extra time.
Once you get around to downloading a song, the process is fairly easy and the
music sound files are CD-quality.
Help/Support:
The help and support available for iTunes Music Store is among the best in the industry. We found their technical
support excellent and their step-by-step tutorials helpful. iTunes Music Store
does not offer FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), however.
Summary:
But if you own a different brand of mp3
player and you want to download music for when you're on the run, we suggest the
format versatility offered by our #1 pick, Musicmatch On-Demand.
Source: toptenreviews.com
