Update: Even though Napster US has been acquired by Rhapsody, it is still very much alive in the United Kingdom and Germany. So, if you live in these countries, Napster still remains one of the top digital music services available.
Introduction
Since our last review, Napster has added quite a few new features to its service including a face lift. A number of these new additions in particular have been implemented to make Napster a more social animal -- but does it work? Find out by reading our full Napster review.
Pros:
- Listen to tracks in full before purchasing
- Access to over 15 million songs
- Choice of prepaid cards
- Social music networking via Facebook and Twitter
Cons:
- MP3 credits don't roll over to the next month
- No Mac version of Napster Download Manager
Music Service Options
Napster offers a number of options to cater for a wide variety of digital music needs. The options available to you are:
- Napster MP3 Store (a la Carte): If you're an occasional purchaser of music, then you won't want to commit to a monthly subscription plan. Napster offers a pay-per-click system for buying only the tracks or albums you want. At the time of writing, there are over 15 million tracks available to purchase from Napster's music catalog. Prices for songs start from £0.49 (approx. 0.57 €) while albums can be purchased from £4.99 (approx. 5,84 €).
- Napster Unlimited: Napster has combined a range of streaming music subscription options for its Napster Unlimited service that also includes MP3 download credits. You can use these MP3 credits to download the tracks you really like at no extra cost -- this adds excellent value for money when compared to other online music services. The Napster Unlimited options currently available are:
- £5 (7,95 €)(1 month streaming)
- £50 (79,95 €) (1 year streaming)
You can also purchase prepaid cards that have codes on them in order to use Napster. These are also useful if you want to give someone a Napster subscription as a gift.
- Napster Mobile: If you want unlimited music that you can take anywhere, then Napster Mobile (£10/month (12,95 €) or £100/year (129,95 €)) is the ideal choice. Once you have downloaded the tracks you want, you can then transfer your digital music files to a compatible music player. *Note* - this subscription plan only allows you to keep listening to the digital music you have downloaded if you continue to subscribe. The tracks are DRM copy protected and will stop playing if your subscription expires.
Design and Content
Image © Napster, LLC.
Website Design and Content: Napster's new interface provides plenty of eye candy compared to its previous look and enhances user experience too. There's a good level of intuitiveness with the new interface which makes navigation more efficient than before. However, if you find that you prefer the old style look, you can always switch back using the hyperlink at the bottom of the home page. Napster's huge 15 million+ music library represents one of the largest music libraries out there, with a good selection of genres to explore.
Previewing Songs: The big plus with using a Napster monthly pass plan is that you get to listen to full-length tracks before deciding to buy. All the previews are streamed to your computer and can be controlled via a browser-embedded player -- this has been improved upon in terms of features and usability.
Social Music Networking Tools: One of the most significant additions to Napster's music service since our last review is the inclusion of social networking tools. There are a number of ways that you can now use Napster to share your music with others. With the integration of Facebook and Twitter, you can simply click the Share button to show off your taste in music. Another way is to create your member profile in order to connect to other Napster users.
Automix: This helps you to find other bands and artists that play the music you like. Clicking on the Automix button will generate a playlist of recommendations that you can use for music discovery.
Billboard Charts and Radio Stations: Also featured in the Napster music service is the Billboard charts which you can consult to get the latest on the most popular music. There's also a large selection of radio stations that cover practically every genre imaginable. Both of these features are very useful for discovering new music.
Additional Information
Napster Download Manager: Napster provides a free software program called, Napster Download Manager, that is designed to help you get the best out of the Napster music service and provide suitable tools for managing your digital music. It comes with its own built-in browser in order to, stream music, buy tracks, listen to radio stations and playlists. You can also use the software to rip audio CDs and burn music that you've purchased. Overall it is a useful program, but sadly its only available on the Windows platform (7, Vista, and XP).
Audio Formats:
Bitstream rate:
- 128 kbps minimum (mostly 256 kbps)
Conclusion
Image © Napster, LLC.
Is it right for you?
When it comes to purchasing digital music tracks, the average service typically gives you a short clip (30 seconds or so) to preview a song. At times, this can be especially frustrating when your 30 second preview ends just as the song starts to get interesting. With this in mind, Napster's Unlimited plans represent a great way to review an unlimited amount of full-length songs before you decide to buy. With the inclusion of MP3 download credits with your subscription, you get the chance to own the songs you really like at no extra charge -- this feature alone could save you a good deal of money. However, the downside to this system is that any unused MP3 credits don't roll over to the next month - this seems harsh considering you've already paid. As far as social networking goes, Napster has done a good job of integrating some useful tools to enable you to reach out to others on popular social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. With the option of prepaid cards, you can also use Napster to give music as a gift to friends and family. Overall, Napster is a well-rounded service that offers something for everyone. It especially stands out from the crowd with opting for its monthly subscription plans. With the inclusion of free MP3 download credits, you could potentially save a serious amount of money in the long run when compared to other streaming music services.
