Best Buy Cloud Music Service Debuts: Lacklustre

With Google, Amazon and Apple all offering robust online multimedia download portals, most companies would steer clear of such a crowded and competitive market. But not big-box retailer Best Buy, which recently launched its own music service.

Unfortunately, industry experts have not been impressed.

Messy Software Just the Tip of the Iceberg

Dubbed the "Best Buy Music Cloud", the platform allows users to download digital music files and playlists from servers that can be accessed anywhere with an Internet connection.

There's a free Lite version of the service that allows users to get 30-second previews of each tune -- not unlike iTunes or any other competing service -- with a $3.99 Premium version to come later on. Presumably this means users will get access to a set number of songs over a monthly period.

Critics say that using the Best Buy Music Cloud just isn't easy or convenient in any way.

"I ... found the software inflexible, and painful, and with some odd design decisions, to boot," said PC Mag's Mark Hachman. "The worst choice? For now, you're restricted to listening to 30-second samples of your own songs." (Source: foxnews.com)

CNET offered its own opinion, stating, "clearly, Best Buy needs to fine-tune its new service before it can go head-to-head against the likes of Amazon and Apple."

Other complaints: some of the songs are improperly uploaded, meaning you may not even get the 30 second sample you want.

Best Buy: Improvements Coming

Best Buy says that improvements are coming, and that users who sign up for the $3.99 subscription will get unlimited storage for their libraries. (Source: pcmag.com)

For those determined to try out Best Buy's Music Cloud, the service is currently available to PC, Apple and Android users.