Amazon.com has finally debuted their new iTunes competition: AmazonMP3. Well, okay, it’s not the most creative name, but I am impressed thus far with the product offering:

• MP3’s encoded at 256 kbps – yes, that’s good. We like high-fidelity sound.
• DRM-free – translation: no copy protection, so you are free to put it on whatever device you wish
• 89 cents per song – for more than half of the catalog, and slightly more for other songs. I saw some that were 99 cents. That’s still way cheaper than iTunes’ $1.30 per song for DRM-free MP3’s

I downloaded a couple songs today and it was smooth as butter. The only sticky point for me was that I had mixed emotions about the downloader applet. I like it better than iTunes as far as it’s simplicity, but I can’t help but feel like it is not necessary. Anytime I have to install a program (or applet) on my computer for something as simple as downloading a music file, I feel like there is something wrong with the picture. Less is more!

That aside, I will be using Amazon to download my mp3’s. Thank you, Amazon, for listening to my consumer voice and giving me what I want: DRM free MP3’s at a reasonable price. Apple, please take note. Amen.

Step 1: Go to Jott.com and create an account.
Step 2: Program the Jott phone number (1-866-JOTT-123) into your mobile phone.
Step 3: Whenever you need to write a note, send yourself a reminder, or add snake oil to the grocery list; you simply call the number and leave yourself a Jott. The note is then transcribed and sent to your email (and/or sent as a text message to your phone, if you choose). You can also send the Jott to other people in your address book.

What makes this the best little web app ever ever ever?

First of all it’s simple and effective, which is always a good thing.

Second, it transcribes your voice note and emails it to you. “Are you kidding me?” No, I’m serial [sic]. In fact, I am blown away at the accuracy of the transcription. You can even spell out a word and it knows not to transcribe “…that’s spelled S-H-I-H space T-Z-U”, but instead it appears properly in the transcribed sentence, “the quick brown shih tzu jumped over the fence.” Foxy.

No longer do I need to tell someone, “send me an email and remind me” when I am not in a position to make a note. I can just Jott it in about twenty seconds. Heck, if you want, you can even use Jott to send a message directly to your Twitter blog. If you haven’t already, you owe it to yourself to start using this wonderful new tool.