“Roxio Inc.’s Napster said on Wednesday it is offering free digital music players with a one-year subscription in the latest bid by an online music service to lure consumers with promotional offers,” Sue Zeidler reports for Reuters. “Napster, which was transformed into a legal service after turning the music industry on its ear with an unauthorized song-swapping platform, is now giving away MP3 devices to anyone who subscribes for a full year.”
“On its Web site, Napster said it would give consumers a Rio Chiba Sport portable music device, valued at about $130, if they sign up for the subscription, which is valued at $119.40. The device features 128 megabytes of storage capacity and includes a stopwatch, sports headphones and an armband. Napster’s Web site also said consumers can upgrade to a larger capacity Rio Nitrus by paying an additional $80,” Zeidler reports.
Full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: Is it desperation time already? And so soon! Sure, some portion of the far lefthand region of the bell curve will jump at the chance to obtain second-rate merchandise based upon the incorrect assumption that it is “free.” Still, the only real question is when will these unfortunate souls end up buying an iPod or iPod mini, before their subscriptions lapse or after?