Is the world ready for it? Amazon.com’s (NSDQ: AMZN) ready to launch its world-changing music service next month, the 500th such service claiming to, well, change the world. Earlier reports pegged the launch in May this year, but that came and passed. Now NYP reports a mid-Sept launch date is planned, and will offer songs in MP3, DRM-free format. Included will be music from Universal Music Group, EMI and a large number of independent labels (all thee have started selling MP3 formats songs)...missing will be two notable sources, Sony BMG and Warner Music Group, both holdouts on DRM-free songs.

Pricing is still not determined, but Amazon is expected to have at least two prices for individual songs: 99 cents for new and popular MP3s, and 89 cents for others. Albums are expected to cost between $7.99 and $9.99. Negotiations on pricing are still going on.

Amazon’s rival Wal-Mart started its MP3 music store last week.

• Amazon MP3 Store En Route; Universal To Expand Tests Of DRM-Free Music Files: Report