Napster to Go

I was recently offered the chance to test out Napster's new portable music service, Napster To Go. I was somewhat skeptical at the beginning. After all, the Apple iTunes music service is well-known, and I hadn't used Napster for several years. At the same time, I was increasingly frustrated by the "pay per song" tabs I was racking up. To download a full length track from iTunes, you have to pay 99 cents each time, and you can't even listen to the entire song before deciding to purchase--you only get a 30-second sample. Since I listen to new music constantly, I'm constantly running over my budget for new songs.

After some personal "beta testing," I've concluded that Napster To Go is a great answer for those who want lots of music but can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars a month on new music.

What's so great about it? Quite simply, it gives you the ability to download and transfer an unlimited number of full-length songs to an MP3 player for a flat fee of less than $15 a month. It's simple to get started. You download Napster and then follow the easy steps to register. Then connect your MP3 player, and you're ready to roll.

Setting Up Your System

There are a few system requirements. You need a Windows 2000 or Windows XP OS, a Windows Media Player 10, a Napster To Go compatible player, and an Internet connection (broadband/DSL connections work best for obvious reasons).

When you connect with your portable device, the interface adapts automatically. An icon appears on your desktop, which lets you transfer songs and playlists with a few clicks. All in all, it's a really intuitive set up--the same user-friendliness I remembered from the earlier versions of Napster.

Fast and Easy Tethered Downloads

You can store hard copies of your digital downloads on up to three computers and access streaming downloads from any PC with an Internet connection. Napster To Go is what's known as an "all you can eat" service. In other words, you get the range of music that iTunes offers, but you don't have to pay exorbitant "pay per song" fees.

Napster's music catalog is surprisingly superb. I had heard mixed reviews about the variety of songs and artists, but let me tell you--there is plenty at the buffet to keep even the most erudite music connoisseur occupied! Not only does Napster feature tens of thousands of albums from the four major labels, but the service also connects you to dozens of hip independent labels, including TVT, Astralwerks, Sup-Pop, and more. All in all, you gain instant access to over a million songs.

Synching Up Your MP3 Player to Download Songs from Napster To Go

I used the iriver H10 MP3 player to access my Napster To Go service. My fiancee owns an iPod, so I had the chance to compare these two MP3 players directly. In my opinion, the iriver H10 allowed for better ergonomic control, and it had a friendlier interface. It's got a fantastic, vibrant color display, and you can upload and view digital photos with it. It even includes an FM tuner to listen to the radio as well. According to the Napster site, you can get a discount on the iriver model if you enroll with Napster To Go.

Other compatible Napster To Go players include the fashionable Creative Zen Micro. It also comes with an extra long- life removable, rechargeable battery. Several Napster To Go compatible MP3 players are coming to the market from Gateway, Samsung, and RIO, as well.

Take Your Music with You--Anywhere

Life changes when you take your music with you. Great music can enmesh your life in a soundtrack, adding color and dimension to otherwise flat experiences. Music can also highlight the "truth" of your experience in new ways. For instance, I remember listening to Dave Matthews' Crash album while touring the world with my college a cappella group in the summer of 1998. The vivid contrast between Dave's evolving music and the dynamism of my changing environment provoked many interesting and enchanting associations.

The reason I bring this up is that it's hard to know what you're missing when you forget to bring your music with you. Napster To Go lets you take your best playlists with you when you exercise. You can also connect your MP3 player to your car stereo and enjoy tunes on the road.

Subscription Services Versus Pay As You Go Services

The one catch with Napster To Go is that you're signing up for a recurring subscription, like your cell phone service and gym membership. This may be a dealbreaker for those who don't listen to music that often. However, if you only want a handful of new songs every month, you can still buy 99-cent songs from Napster's music store (Napster Light). Napster's software and music management system is free, so you can shop on a per-song basis if you wish. But if you're the kind of music fan who likes to get at least one new album a month, then Napster To Go is a no brainer. Imagine each week getting all the latest music releases? You now have access not only to everything you collected in the past but everything you have yet to discover!

I initially questioned the premise of Napster's "Do The Math" ads that premiered during the Super Bowl, but I've come to realize that Napster To Go fulfills its promise. You don't have to worry about getting bad digital copies, you save tons of money in the long run on music shopping, and you get access to an enormous selection. Napster allows you to try the service free for 14 days, so there's no risk in experiencing its benefits for two whole weeks. There's a growing industry consensus that the Napster model is the way of the future, and I now understand why.