Digital music subscription service Napster has released a portable version of its service to U.S. users of the AT&T-based Audiovox SMT5600 Smartphone.
Said to be the only service of its kind for U.S.-based mobile phones, Napster To Go allows users to transfer and play an unlimited number of songs for a monthly rate of $14.95. The Smartphone also supports individual tracks purchased by Napster subscribers or downloaded a la carte from the Napster Light store.
“Napster was the first service to make the promise of the portable subscription model a reality and today we are taking that innovation to the wireless marketplace,” said Chris Gorog, Napster’s chairman and CEO. “This new phone from Audiovox and AT&T Wireless furthers Napster’s mission to provide music lovers with the ability to conveniently enjoy the most comprehensive digital music experience available.”
The phone comes with only 28.5 MB of internal Flash memory – enough to hold around six songs. miniSD memory chips in 128 and 256 MB capacities, which can hold around two and four hours of music respectively, are available as add-ons to the phone for under $25.
The SMT5600 runs the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software, offers wireless access to Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer and MSN Messenger. It also has a digital camera and camcorder. It is Windows XP compatible and retails currently for $199.99 on ATTWireless.com.
Napster To Go runs via a plug-in to the Windows Media Player 10, which is installed on the Smartphone.
