Napster Announces World’s Largest MP3 Download Store Offering DRM-Free MP3 Tracks

The famous online music file sharing service, Napster has just announced the launch of the world’s largest and most comprehensive MP3 store offering 6 million unprotected tracks songs, which the company claims is 50% larger than any other MP3 download store in existence. The Napster’s DRM-free MP3 tracks are compatible with virtually any music player including iPod and iPhone and currently only available to customers in US.

“Music fans have spoken and it’s clear they need the convenience, ease of use and broad interoperability of the DRM-free MP3 format, and they want to be able to find both major label artists and independent music all in one place. Napster is delighted to deliver all of this and more with the world’s largest MP3 catalog,” said Chris Gorog, Chairman and CEO of Napster. “Our new MP3 store, together with our award-winning ‘all you can eat’ music subscription service, provides the most comprehensive and exciting music experience available. Virtually any portable device in the world can now be used to enjoy tracks purchased at Napster, which is an important breakthrough for our company.”

The MP3 tracks are now available for download at a high-quality 256kbps bitrate, and the single MP3 track will be priced at 99 cents per download and $9.95 for most MP3 albums.

“Our goal is to enrich your life with music, in ways that are personalized to you,” said Christopher Allen, Chief Operating Officer. “Napster now offers a truly complete and synergistic digital music destination, where music lovers can not only discover and listen to music, but also buy and own everything they want in MP3 format, which works on any music player. The combination offers consumers the best of both worlds.”

“Developing online music services into true go-to consumer music destinations depends in large part on reducing hurdles to adoption,” said Susan Kevorkian, IDC’s Consumer Markets program director. “By offering millions of high quality, MP3-encoded DRM-free tracks from all of the major labels as well as independents, this service is well-positioned to appeal to the broad spectrum of music lovers, including iPod and iPhone owners.”