Amazon leading MP3 retailer & mobile company

Is it possible to see a world on which Amazon is the leading retailer of MP3?

Let's say Amazon starts after Apple presents the IPod1 to develop its own MP3 Player(with USB instead if firewire) and ITunes but negotiates with major labels the right to resell their music via internet.(and they agree because of fear for Napster and pirating)

Is possible that Amazon may become sth like apple did in the OTL(that means developing mobile gadget like IPod (and this IPod develops in Cell and Kindle/IPad)?
 

NothingNow

Banned
Assuming they can actually do it, they likely won't pay enough attention to look and feel and won't advertise it as well. And they're going up against Apple, who in 2001 are the purveyors of cool electronics, and have very competent advertising people.

Plus it'll probably be flash-based, instead of using a HDD like was used on the 1st Generation iPod, so more cost, less capacity, less cachet, a clunkier design, and overall, a generally crappier experience.
They'll be crushed.

But getting out of fantasy land, Amazon only turned it's first, modest profit in Q4 2001 (~$5,000,000 on revenues of ~$1,000,000,000 or just about a penny per share.)
They legitimately don't have the money to do anything involved in creating a decent Portable media device at the time, even if they were just rebranding an OEM device, like a Creative NOMAD, or if they were stupid enough to try and lead the industry, an HP Jornada 520 with a 1.8" or 2.5" HDD in the back, which might bankrupt the company if it flops.
 
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