Napster Mac Beta?

[MacRumors]

According to TheRegister.co.uk, Napster has a beta version of their software that allows Macs to play their music.

Kendig, however, assured us that Napster has some Mac software in beta that would allow songs to be played on Apple computers. Interesting.

Napster uses Windows Media 9 formatted music files with the associated Windows Digital Rights Management system. As a result, Microsoft's release of Windows Media Player 9 may be tied into their player.

 

[greenstork]

Yeah OK, that's going to work. Smart thinking Napster, iTunes users are dying to jump ship.

 

[arn]

presumably, this helped Napster sign the Penn state deal.... since they are going to support the Mac platform too


arn

 

[C14ru5]

The irony in this is: No matter how much of a Mac Addict I am, if this service becomes available in Europe before iTMS, I'll probably start using it - providing it is (almost) as functional as iTMS.

 

[Mosco]

whats the point of having a mac client if you can't play these files on your ipod?

 

[rdowns]

Originally posted by greenstork
Yeah OK, that's going to work. Smart thinking Napster, iTunes users are dying to jump ship.

I hardly think that's their strategy. Maybe they'll have non OS X client.

Most Mac users (OS X and earlier) are not on iTunes.

 

[rdowns]

Originally posted by Mosco
whats the point of having a mac client if you can't play these files on your ipod?

Probably that most Mac owners don't own an iPod. Just a guess.

 

[zeron]

If the service allows you to sync up with sub $100 MP3 players, I might try using it. I love the iPod just can't afford it for the amount of music I have.

 

[Sailfish]

Napster can try it...

but we are not going to buy it. ; )

Another foolish business mistake, keep them coming.

Napster doesn't have a chance in hell of selling music to mac users, much less that piece of dog sh*t player.

This sounds like a ACC vs WMA war with Napster as the puppet on Microsoft's hand.

We all know Microshaft makes the Napster Software, probably bankrolling their whole operation as well.

It takes BIG bucks to place Napster "gift certificates" (a loss leader on top of zero music profits) in all the brick and mortar shops across the nation.

I smell the stink of Redmond here.

 

[Exponent]

What's with all the making fun of Napster coming over to the Mac?!?! It's another option, and options are good - if it is useful, use it, if it isn't, DON'T!

Would all of you Mac zealots prefer developers find us so insignificant that they laugh at the concept of a Mac port?

Sometimes I really wonder about the Mac community

 

[hulugu]

Ow!

Fell out my chair, laughing so hard...think I cracked a rib.....whew.

Seriously, Napster is a poor version of iTMS, but the competition could be good, make sure Apple keeps banging out more songs, working deals with Indies, adding new features.
Also, direct support for other Mp3 players would be nice. Apple will end up on top because it makes the best product, not because it locks us down to one solution like someone else we know. Engaging with other Mp3 players seem counter-intuitive because Apple bases so much of its business on Hardware, ala the iPod, but once people see the iPod in action compared to their dinky little flash player they'll want an iPod.
Competition is good, but Napster 2.0, hahahahahaha.

Ouch!

 

[rdowns]

Originally posted by Exponent
What's with all the making fun of Napster coming over to the Mac?!?! It's another option, and options are good - if it is useful, use it, if it isn't, DON'T!

Would all of you Mac zealots prefer developers find us so insignificant that they laugh at the concept of a Mac port?

Sometimes I really wonder about the Mac community

Agreed. As much as I love the Mac platform and this forum, there are a lot of zealots here that give Mac users the cult/zealot reputation that I see and hear a lot.

 

[hulugu]

Zealots where?

I keep thinking we're at the top of Massada and the Romans are readying the seige engines and I don't know why. Oh wait, its because I'm a zealot.

My own point was that Napster is a very poor business model and a poor solution especially in comparison to iTunes/iTMS. It's great that Napster wants to dial in to the Mac community and while I appreciate the thought, I'd much rather good programs get ported over. I think competition is good, but Napster 2.0 is just a waste of time IMHO. If that attitude makes me a zealot then hand me my Torah.
But, I'd really prefer the whole zealot term for the Mac community would go away, I agree that some people do make the stereotype, but this is also a term used the denigrate and thereby ignore the wants and needs of Mac users. We've just had a drink of the kool-aid (or we're cultists just aching to die of Jim Jones) or we've entered Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field (anything Jobs says is suspect and you're insane for agreeing with him). If I happen to say Napster sucks, that doesn't make me a Zealot, it makes me judgemental. If I think Jobs is right about iTunes not needing WMA support right now, it just might be possible that he's right. He has been right a few times, I don't know if anyone noticed.
He's also been wrong before, and some Apple acolytes are raving maniacs who would sacrifice human hearts if Jobs asked them to.
But, I'd at least ask if there wasn't just a way to head down the back of the mountain while the Roman were still building their cataphracts.

And I'm not sorry for all the mixed metaphors.

 

[ryaxnb]

Why so many negatives? I think having more Mac software is a good thing(TM.) And it means if Pcers switch to Mac they can still use their Napster 2 music.

 

[whooleytoo]

On a similar note,<a href="http://theregister.com/content/6/33850.html"> this article</a> discusses an alternative to DRM media, compulsory licenses (much like the Penn State deal).

The Register bizarrely puts a lot of faith in this notion, that everyone pays a fee, either from their income tax, or when they buy music related goods etc., and get to listen to whatever, wherever they want.

My problems with this are:

How does the money get divided? Do all artists get an equal sum?

And more importantly, as a casual music listener, why should I subsidise others' music habits??

I'll take Apple's approach any day!!

Mike.

 

[sethypoo]

So the way I see it, Apple gives windows users iTunes with Quicktime, and napster gives you napster with wma!

How interesting.

 

[billyboy]

Apple will eventually lose their massive market share using AAC only, ie others will come to market with their WMA preoccupation, ie try and compete thinking the codec somehow makes up for glitchy shopping experience. The opposition will become part of the "kill iTunes brigade" which may even sell product, but not on a repeat basis!

But as th einnovators par excellence, and being first, Apple then have the killer option that will make it possible to win over people who are thinking "iPod nice but bit limiting if I cant play Napster or Walmart or any of the other WMA type music downloads on the market. ". Apple can just kill the opposition totally by making iPods WMA compatible too - Punters will go around the competition, try them out and find the most user friendly service - iTMS.

As long as Apple respond to the competition and do keep iTMS one step ahead, the WMA option on the iPod will be irrelevant because AAC on iPods and iTMS will have won the minds of Windows users who like choice so they can find the best deal.

 

[devotchka]

one of these things is not like the other...

As an original user of Napster - way before the media hype and attention - I will never use this version of Napster at all.

Clever as Roxio is for using this once pioneering and glaring symbol of filesharing, I am hardpressed to let them cash in on whatever mindshare they feel Napster had over me.

Many feel the same as I do and look to iTunes for legal music downloads - even though they are PC users.
(And many of these people are musicians themselves.)

I have and will continue to use the iTunes music service as a way to get my legal digital music downloads! And I will continue to tell my friends and family to use iTunes.

 

[johnnyjibbs]

I agree with some of the others. However good Napster is or whatever your opinion is on it, porting to the Mac can only be a good thing. Our platform must not be isolated or forgotten. We need choice...

Yes, iTunes is really good and I don't need anything else but choice isn't a bad thing. People here moan about Microsoft having a monopoly, but how come it's ok for Apple to have a monopoly on the Mac? (The fact it's their own platform is irrelevant.)

 

[Fitzcaraldo]

Originally posted by johnnyjibbs
porting to the Mac can only be a good thing. Our platform must not be isolated or forgotten. We need choice...

Choice is fine, But to say that supporting Propriety Standard improves choice?

If Napster, M$ etc. Chose "Open standard" Formats then fine we would have a choice?

I have no interest what so ever in supporting closed standards, I only wish that this logical desire were shared and understood by more.

Even my Government seems to have failed to see such logic and through the use of M$ formats, Java, and other Non Open standards, excludes Mac, Linux, Netscape, Safari, Mozilla users from viewing Content paid for in part by me.

 

[Sabenth]

how about having services that arnt just based in the USA .... How about having services that just do what there suppose to do which is provide Music / iTunes dose this really well no real gimicks or traps wma format maybe good for windows aac is good for Apple ITS UPTO YOU HOW WERE AND WHEN YOU BUY AND USE YOUR MUSIC...


you now have a choice....

You decide ....



this last bit is me just thinking out aloud so pay no attention the under lined crapOn a secondry note i used Napster once or twice and the concept was fantastic shame now its owned by the corps sick and tired of comanys now gathering up on us all demanding digital rights media if your smart you know what to do ?!!!

 

[MacAficionado]

Originally posted by Exponent
What's with all the making fun of Napster coming over to the Mac?!?! It's another option, and options are good - if it is useful, use it, if it isn't, DON'T!

Would all of you Mac zealots prefer developers find us so insignificant that they laugh at the concept of a Mac port?

Sometimes I really wonder about the Mac community

I know, it is like if you go to WalMart, then you are not to go to K-Mart for anything.

I wonder about Macheads sometimes too, and I am one.

 

[Macco]

Re: Zealots where?

Originally posted by hulugu

He's also been wrong before, and some Apple acolytes are raving maniacs who would sacrifice human hearts if Jobs asked them to.

Only if there's a free G5 in the bargain...

 

[ITR 81]

Well it's app that 90% of Mac users don't want. I still like buying music and rather not do rentals.

How about folks stop complaining about services overseas. Apple is working on this for next yr. If you want to buy now just get a US Credit Card.

 

[pbreit]

You all should probably try Napster before commenting on its quality. It's acctually quite well-done and in some respects better than iTunes. The DRM is similar to iTunes. I think Apple would continue to compete effectively against Napster, especially with the Pepsi deal and if the McDonalds thing comes through. Having a decent competitor on the Mac like Napster will keep iTunes on its toes.