MPEG Audio Layer 3 (.mp3)
MP3, short for MPEG Audio Layer 3, is a digital audio coding format that revolutionized music storage and distribution. Developed by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG), it was first introduced in the early 1990s. Its primary advantage lies in its ability to compress audio files significantly without major loss in sound quality, making it ideal for efficient storage and transmission over the internet. MP3 files are widely used for music playback on various digital devices, including computers, smartphones, and portable media players, due to their balance of compression efficiency and sound fidelity.