Napster launched new music service

Napster UK has today launched the world’s first portable subscription music service. Napster To Go enables music fans to fill and refill any compatible MP3 player with their choice of tracks from Napster’s one million-strong catalogue for €22 (£14.95) a month.

The new functionality is an integral part of Napster’s latest 3.0 digital music service and is different from more traditional business models, which charge per track to transfer music to portable players.

There are currently five portable music devices that UK consumers can use with Napster To Go: Creative Zen Micro MP3 player; Iriver H10 MP3 player; Iriver Portable Media Centre; Creative Zen Portable Media Centre; and Samsung YH999 Portable Media Centre. Within three months, it is expected a further 18 devices will be compatible, including 14 more MP3 players, reports DMeurope News.

Napster, originally among the first free file-sharing applications that spawned heavy opposition from the recording industry, is bolstering Napster To Go's release with a $30 million marketing campaign - set to debut during Sunday's Super Bowl.

"Napster To Go provides infinitely greater value is much more exciting than the iTunes pay-per-download model," Chris Gorog, chairman and chief executive, said in a statement.