Napster gets a redesign for the Web
Click me to check out the new Napster interface.
Other than its first reported quarter of positive cash flow, Napster has enjoyed a relatively unremarkable year--at least on the surface. It is now apparent, however, that plenty of tinkering has been going on in the background.
The company on Tuesday announced a fairly significant redesign to its music service and software. The new Napster, version 4, is lighter and a bit simpler--and it definitely appears to take some cues from RealNetworks' Rhapsody.
Of particular note are the launch of a Web-based version of the service, which will enable Mac and Linux users to join in the fun, and the addition of the Automix feature, a new music discovery tool.
I could go on to list all the details in long and boring fashion, but a picture (actually, 22 pictures) is worth a thousand words--wouldn't you agree? Check out our slide show for an up-close and personal look at Napster 4.0.
For more than five years, Jasmine France has covered a variety of tech products for CNET--from scanners to keyboards to GPS devices--but she's happiest where she is now: sitting atop a pile of MP3 players, "testing" every music service known to man, and jamming a variety of earbuds in every shape and color into her absurdly small ears. E-mail Jasmine. 
Napster sold me a $14.85 music download service with no song deliveries. Beware.... you will find no napster representative to contact directly after they haven taken your money. Napster has a history of taking money and not delivering the goods.
My hope is that no other person will suffer a napster rip-off. Don't let napster rip you off too.... get your music downloads elsewhere.
Please, tell everyone you know to avoid the napster rip-off.
David M.
(714)541-3880
dmwelcome@yahoo.com
My only crititisms would be the clunky interface (hopefully fixed in v4.0) and some poor track naming conventions but otherwise, it's definiately the best £10 a month I've ever spent.
On the few occassions I've contacted them I've always had very good response via voice and/or email.
Best of all Napster and Sonos now work together, seamlessly. I now have an almost limitless choice of music streamed wireless throughout the house. FANTASTIC!