Online music service Napster has
moved to an ad-supported music distribution system that allows users to
listen to any one of Napster's two million music tracks free of charge. The free
service only allows tracks to be played up to five times, however, and can only
be used via a Macromedia Flash-based music player on the Napster website. After
reaching the five play limit, users are invited either to buy the individual
track for $0.99 or to sign up for a monthly subscription. The subscriptions cost
either $9.95 a month for unlimited online access or $14.95 a month for the
ability to download music to portable music players. The service is compatible
with digital music devices that include the SanDisk Sansa and Samsung Z10, but
not Apple's iconic iPod.