Ads Set Music Free

Pay a monthly fee to listen to your favorite music online? Fugetaboutit.

Napster's listening service is now free free free. The service doesn't require downloading an application or submitting a credit card number either. To pay for the service, Napster places ads alongside the track information, a small price to pay for getting to hear your music gratis.

The free service has limits as you can only listen to a track five times before you have to pay to hear it. If you'd like unlimited access to the catalog, then you have to subscribe to the service.

Wow, this can't be good news for services such as Real Networks Rhapsody or Emusic. I'm shocked that Napster calculates that the nickels and dimes they collect from ads and revenue from selling downloads will offset their royalty payments to the music labels.

What's next -- free public transportation or dental visits if you submit to watching ads?

Enjoy it while it lasts!