For several years, Napster was must have software for any music fan, providing them with illegal music, and eventually settling in court. Now, the revamped Napster is back, and gaining popularity every day with legal music downloads. Napster has over one million tracks available for download, and several innovative and unique features for listening to, and purchasing the music. At this pace, Napster will be a serious competitor to iTunes within the next year.

Unlike other music applications which offer a true music application, Napster is primarily a music download program. It offers tracks available for download at 99 cents each, and $9.95 for most albums. However, unlike other programs, Napster also offers two subscription programs, where you can have unlimited access to their entire library, but with limitations on what you can do with those tracks. The first subscription, Napster Membership, allows you to download any song within Napster, however they can not be transferred to an MP3 player, and expire as soon as you cancel your subscription. This membership costs $9.95 per month. The second subscription is called Napster to Go, and is basically the same concept of Napster Membership, however with Napster To Go, you can put the files on a Napster compatible MP3 player. This subscription costs $14.95 per month. Another very popular feature with Napster is the Online Radio Stations. You can create your own radio station by inputting types of music you like, and then Napster will play similar music on your own radio station. Napster allows you to easily swap playlists with your friends, sharing your tastes in music, and your favorite artists. Napster is compatible with over 75 MP3 players, but not the iPod. Basically any MP3 player that supports WMA files will work with Napster; however it is always best if it is listed as Plays For Sure, which can be found at the Napster homepage. Users also find the ability to access your subscription in three different locations an excellent feature. Napster really took the “Napster to Go” literally, allowing you access to your music while on the road. As with most online music applications, the quality of the songs is excellent with Napster. Listening to a CD track, and a Napster downloaded song, the sound is virtually undistinguishable. Unique content is another feature that Napster has, and others, such as iTunes do not. The Napster Staff are constantly writing new content, which only enhance the music.

Napster is currently the second best music application on the market, and definitely the program to use for non-iPod users. It has many great features, and the impressive one million track library will only grow with time. What makes Napster so unique are its two subscription plans, which allows you access to over a million songs, for only $10/$15 a month. I would definitely agree with CNET’s review of Napster 3.0, as a 7.3/10, which is Very Good, as it is a great program, and just a step below Apple’s iTunes.