Napster previews first Portable Digital Music Subscription Service

LOS ANGELES (Napster press release) - Napster, a division of Roxio, announced today that a preview version of its upcoming Napster To Go, the world's first and only fully portable digital music subscription service, is available through the Napster link within the Microsoft Windows Media Player 10's new Digital Media Mall. The final version of Napster To Go, with enhanced functionality and a range of compatible MP3 players, will become commercially available later this fall as part of the company's launch of its newest client version 3.0.
"Napster is proud to continue our tradition of innovation by being the first service in the world to make the portable subscription model a reality," said Chris Gorog, chairman and CEO of Roxio and Napster. "We are putting our stake in the ground as evidence of our commitment to lead and not follow by introducing this highly-anticipated and game-changing capability in preview and look forward to offering music fans the enhanced final version in our updated client this fall."

The debut version of Napster To Go lets consumers move an unlimited amount of music from Napster's massive catalog to compatible MP3 players, in addition to enjoying unlimited full-length streaming and downloading. The unprecedented subscription content portability is currently available only via a plug-in to the Windows Media Player 10, and only to music fans who own the new Samsung Portable Media Center or Creative Zen Portable Media Center.

Napster's version 3.0 featuring Napster To Go will launch later this fall when nearly every major MP3 player manufacturer, including Samsung, Creative, iRiver and Rio will be offering multiple Napster To Go-compatible devices in a range of styles and prices. The preview version of Napster To Go is available at an introductory $14.95 per month, but final pricing for the upcoming 3.0 client version is still being determined and will be announced later this fall. Napster To Go makes it easy for music fans to enjoy an unlimited amount of music anywhere they want for one low monthly price.

Napster subscribers have access to the world's largest digital musiclibrary, as well as Napster's award winning community features, interactive, commercial-free radio stations, six decades of Billboard chart information and a host of other features. The Napster Light download store is available to subscribers and non-subscribers alike.