MP3

MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer III) is a popular digital audio file format used for compressing and storing music and other audio content. Developed in the early 1990s, the MP3 format significantly reduces the size of audio files without sacrificing much of the audio quality, making it easier to store and share music.

Key features of MP3:

Compression: MP3 uses lossy compression, meaning that some of the audio data is removed to make the file smaller. This compression reduces the file size to about one-tenth of the original size while maintaining relatively good sound quality for most listeners.

Portability: The small file size makes MP3s ideal for portable music players, smartphones, and online distribution, contributing to its widespread adoption.
Sound Quality: The quality of an MP3 file is measured by its bit rate (e.g., 128 kbps, 192 kbps, 320 kbps), with higher bit rates generally providing better sound quality but resulting in larger file sizes.

Compatibility: MP3 is universally supported across most devices and media players, including computers, smartphones, and car audio systems.
The MP3 format revolutionized the music industry by enabling the easy sharing, downloading, and streaming of music, contributing to the rise of digital music platforms and the decline of physical media like CDs.