Amazon Adds Match to its Cloud Service

GET ON THEIR CLOUD: Amazon MP3 has enhanced its Cloud Player service with a new scan and match technologyt that puts it in direct competition with Apple’s iTunes Match. Files will be duplicated and upgraded to 256-Kbps quality audio. All Amazon MP3 purchases will be automatically delivered to a user’s Cloud Player, while eligible past Amazon MP3 purchases are also delivered without having to import them. Users can import up to 250 songs for free in Cloud Player, or subscribe to Cloud Player Premium for $24.99 a year and import up to 250k songs, the same price per year as Apple’s iTunes Match, but Amazon’s service offers more songs than the 25k cap on the former. Amazon launched its cloud-based music service for the Web and Android devices last March just before Apple introduced iTunes Match. Amazon users previously had to upload their songs manually. (7/31p)