Google and Amazon both missed out on downloadable Beatles

by Steven Mostyn - Nov 18 2010, 11:51

Considering the prices iTunes has slapped on downloadable albums by The Beatles, we here at The Tech Herald have been left largely unmoved by the Fab Four’s long awaited digital arrival and Apple’s accompanying fanfare.

But just because our editorial department isn’t presently clamouring for the likes of Rubber Soul, Revolver and Abbey Road, that doesn’t necessarily mean others have not shown a keen interest.

More pointedly, while Beatles content is apparently selling well through Apple’s multimedia store, the Cupertino-based gadget giant had to fend off some serious competition in order to secure Liverpool’s finest export.

According to a report in the New York Post, industry giants Google and Amazon both courted EMI Group for online Beatles exclusivity before the music publisher finally signed off on an a content deal with Apple.

Apple is currently selling all 13 of the studio albums produced by The Beatles for a price of $12.99 USD (or $1.29 USD per track). Meanwhile, Amazon.com is offering the same albums on CD—which can be ripped into any MP3 player without restriction—for just $7.99 USD.

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