SolveYourProblem Article Series: Napster
Napster FAQ & How-To's

Napster's Latest Services - Information

Ever since becoming a full-fledged online pay service, Napster has been proactive in introducing a series of innovative services to their members. Many newcomers to the Napster site mistakenly believe that it is operated similarly to the Apple iTunes music store. The Apple iTunes music store is primarily used as an a la carte service where users can sample songs, purchase individual songs or whole full-length albums, and purchase certain music videos or TV show episodes. While Napster does offer a similar a la carte option to its users, it also offers other subscription plans, and has recently made the effort to penetrate mobile and satellite radio markets through its latest services. Here is a quick overview of the latest services that music fans can expect to get through the Napster site.

Napster for Free: This popular service allows Napster users (or visitors) to listen to any song in the Napster catalogue for up to three times for free. After that, the user can choose to download it, or become a Napster Member.

Napster Light: This is the a la carte service previously mentioned. It allows Napster users to search for songs, full-length albums and music videos. They can then purchase each individual file and download it onto their computer, burn it onto a CD if they want, or load it onto their digital music player. Once you have purchased a song through the Napster Light service, it is yours to keep forever.

Napster Member: This subscription level allows users to access and stream an unlimited amount of song or video files from Napster's extensive music library. The Napster Member level is primarily aimed at those users who listen to music from their PCs using a broadband connection. Listeners can listen to as many songs as they wish, but they cannot download them. It is kind of like having your own radio station that comes fully stocked with an extensive music library. You can play as many songs and videos as you choose, but you cannot download them for permanent use. That is, you cannot "keep" any of the songs or music videos that you stream through your broadband connection.

Napster to Go: As its name implies, this is a music service that Napster offers to its listeners on the go. The Napster to Go model was first launched in late 2004. It allows Napster users to transfer as many music files onto their digital music players as they want. There's a few 'catches': in order to use Napster to Go, you must have a Microsoft Janus-compatible MP3 player. Many popular digital music players, such as the Sony Walkman or Apple iPod, are not compatible with Napster files. Second, you can only listen to the songs on your digital music player for as long as your subscription is active. If you terminate your subscription to Napster to Go, you no longer have access to these music or video files.

Napster Mobile: This is one of the latest services offered by Napster. It is currently only available in Japan. This service represents collaboration between Napster and DoCoMo, a mobile Internet platform that is used by over 40 million mobile subscribers in Japan. With the introduction of Napster Mobile, users are able to access high-quality full-length music files and ring tones using the iMode platform on their mobile handsets. Users of Napster Mobile can access an unlimited number of Napster's music programming features. They can receive news about their favorite artists and information on new releases. They can also receive personalized recommendations. The cost of using Napster Mobile in Japan is roughly $3 per month. This allows users to browse Napster's vast library of songs and ring tones, and downloaded using over-the-air technology.

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SolveYourProblem.com : 2008

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