iPod Nano

With Amazon poised to make a foray into digital content downloads, the U.S. press on Thursday predicted a fierce battle with Apple, which currently has a stranglehold on the industry.

Amazon is looking to team up with an electronics company that can produce a player capable of going head-to-head with Apple's iPod in looks and features. That, many think, could be Samsung Electronics. Record executives, who now have no choice but to play by the rules set by Apple, welcome the emergence of a new contender.

For now, the iPod-iTunes combo remains an industry juggernaut. But if Amazon with its massive user base enters the online music market, it is expected to be a big threat not just to Apple but also to other music download sites like Napster and Real Networks. Amazon says it is pushing on with licensing negotiations with four major record companies, Universal Music, Sony BMG, Warner Music and EMI. Since Amazon plans to introduce an MP3 player under its own brand, curiosity as to who will produce it is growing.

The U.S. press says it is time for Amazon to turn its interest to selling digital content because although sales of CDs, DVDs and books accounted for 70 percent of last year's sales, the digital downloads market will see explosive growth.

(englishnews@chosun.com )