Amazon is planning to launch its own digital content storage service, and it could be available as early as next week.
According to a CNet report, Amazon has been talking to major record labels and film studios about creating a service that would allow you to store your music, movies, and books on Amazon's servers like a "digital locker."
Amazon is reportedly still trying to obtain all the necessary licenses, but the plans could be announced before the negotiations are complete, CNet says.
Both Google and Apple are said to be working on similar services. Google has reportedly launched Google Music internally, which means it could be prepping the platform for a public release.
Competition between the three companies could be heating up. Last week, Amazon launched its Android Appstore, featuring nearly 30 categories of mobile apps such as books, games, social networking, and music. The store offers one free paid app per day and allows you to test-drive apps from your PC.
Among some of the other features of the Amazon Appstore are one-click purchasing, recommendations, and a deals section that offers discounted apps. Some have speculated that the reason Amazon has launched this venture is because it's readying its own Android-based tablet. However, the company has not commented on the matter.
Apple reportedly has sued Amazon in an attempt to block the company's use of the term "App Store," saying that it's in violation of Apple's trademark. Meanwhile, Microsoft is trying to block Apple's attempts to trademark the phrase, arguing that "app store" is too generic of a name.