Tesco attempt to send iTunes the way of International Stores

Tesco has announced - inevitably - its desire to be the latest in a long line of iTunes Music Store killers. Despite having actually been selling downloads since 2004 without anyone in Cupertino getting too upset.

The new Tesco download store is going to be different, say Tesco:

Graham Harris, the Tesco commercial director, said: "We wanted to create an exciting and easy-to-use entertainment shop that Tesco customers of all ages and technical ability can use and trust.

"We're starting out with a comprehensive music offering, but customers can expect downloadable TV and films as well as games to buy very soon."

"Exciting and easy-to-use", eh? We're not sure about exciting - you click on a button, your bank account lightens slightly, a file downloads to your PC. Yes, whiteknuckle stuff indeed.

Easy to use, though?

Tesco Digital will offer 3.3m music tracks when it launches next month, with 1.6m in MP3 format. It plans for all of the site's music to be compatible with iPods and other MP3 players by the end of the year.

So, files are currently in two different formats, and some are currently compatible with iPods and some aren't, but those that aren't should be changed by Christmas, but it's not clear if you buy a non iPod friendly version you'll be able to upgrade for free or if you should wait. Oh, yes:

A Tesco spokeswoman said the downloads would be "competitively priced" but would vary depending on the track.

And all different prices, too. Tesco customers of little technical skill are going to have a breeze, aren't they?

Still, given that it can be hard to eat if you boycott one of the nation's nastiest firms (just yesterday there was more misery for their Allerton neighbours), it's great to have a way to avoid Tesco online.