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AT&T Extends Deal With Napster; Add OTA Downloads And Video; Prices Still High

On the eve of CTIA, AT&T (NYSE: T) has announced an addition to its mobile music arsenal: its has extended its till-now-sideloading deal with Napster (NSDQ: NAPS) to include an OTA, full-song download service, with access to the full Napster catalog of 5 million tracks. Not that sideloading or even OTA will seal the deal for consumers, as prices remain high. Customers can buy individual songs for $3 each or buy a five-pack of tracks for $7.50. These are dual-download, also available for PC downloading. One big thing: NOT available on iPhone.

Noticeably lacking is a subscription tier, reports Billboard.biz, unlike the online Napster service.

AT&T did a similar deal with eMusic earlier in the summer. Prior to that it only had a sideloading service…now it is on part with Sprint (NYSE: S) and Verizon (NYSE: VZ) Wireless. For Napster, AT&T becomes the ninth operator to adopt the Napster Mobile platform, and by far is the company’s largest operator partner to date.

Also, AT&T has launched a mobile video service called MobiVJ, provided by MobiTV. The service allows users to select up to eight music video channels, organized by genre, for $7 a month…fans can buy a song/ringtone while watching. Then, more lame additions: a VIP Access application, that offers artist biographies, new music samples, and news alerts for $3 a month.

Our CTIA conference coverage is sponsored by Cellfish.

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Oct 22, 2007 12:28 AM ET
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Posted In: Entertainment, Music, Companies, AT&T

  • Someone in the press needs to really "press" AT&T;about when they are going to every say anything official about upgrading the AT&T;(HTC) 8525, the Samsung Blackjack and the Treo 750 to Mobile 6 which is to include what other fixes, upgrades and new applications?  Not just a casual question, go out and track them down, ask all their PR agent folkes, go to the top, ask ask ask, and how will Napster be implemented.  Do phones need a download application, or a firmware upgrade.  Is that holding up the Mobile 6 upgrade because it won't be ready until mid- November?  Come on now, put on your reppoter hat and ask them some tough questions.  Don't give up, keep asking!  Nobody is hounding them for answers. go do it.  Did you know hundreds of thousands of AT&T;customers want to know these answers.

  • What phones will be capable of using the new Napster service.  Did Mark Collins AT&T;VP of consumer data products indicate anything more in his Keynote speach Monday morning at Mobile Entertainment Live.  Did he indicate if any AT&T;phones such as the Blackjack will be upgraded to Windows Mobile 6?  If so when.  News, news, give news!

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