Music Download and Streaming Services - Listen Online
If you're like me, you need to listen to music. Whether it be researching material, or just taking a badly needed musical escape, you want it right there on your computer. And in many cases, you'll want to take it with you as well.
These services are in two main flavors. The first model is the online library which you access through the provider's software. That's Rhapsody and Napster. The second flavor is to download and keep offline. That's eMusic and iTunes.
Rhapsody, eMusic and Napster offer free trials to get used to their music downloading and streaming services. I urge you to check them out:
- Emusic MP3 Downloads
- Real Rhapsody unlimited music subscription
- Napster music library subscription
- iTunes music downloads
Emusic MP3 Downloads (actually, the trial is currently 50 as of this writing)
This is a different animal. The subscription allows you to download directly a set number of mp3s per month. These tracks are yours to keep, burn and listen to however and whenever you wish. The cost somes to far less per track than iTunes or the other services.
eMusic offers a free month trial subscription with, as of this writing, 50 downloads. Sometimes it's 25. Either way, in exchange for taking the trial (again, with credit card taken but not charged), you get this music to keep.
I've used eMusic, and while their library is more limited than Rhapsody and the other's, it is still a very useful service. I have many tracks from the few months I had my subscription. I'm thinking of renewing soon.
Click here to try out eMusic mp3 downloads
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Real Rhapsody Unlimited Music Subscription
The leading service of it's kind, Rhapsody lets you listen to music in a couple of ways. For a monthly fee, you can listen to anything you want as much as you want in their propietary free software. The search options are extensive, and the software makes recommendations about music you'll like.
There are numerous ways to browse by genre, artist and so forth. There are also extensive streaming radio stations devoted to a particular style or other criteria.
If you wish to save tracks for offline use and CD burning, you pay per track at around the same rate as iTunes.
Rhapsody offers a free 14 day trial with 5 free downloads. It's a good deal. You will need the credit card for the trial, so remember to cancel before 14 days if you don't plan to continue. Sign up, get the player and see what it is. Rather, hear it.
Click here to try out Rhapsody Music Service.
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Napster Online Music Listening
The old file sharing demon is now a leading legal download service. Similar to Rhapsody, you pay a monthly fee and then stream whatever you like. You can also download to a portable device, but to burn tracks, you pay per track. Being a part of Napster's network lets you participate in online forums and share your musical choices with others.
They offer a free 7-day trial to let you get the feel of it. Again, a credit card is requested, and if you cancel before 7 days are up, there will be no charge.
Click here to try out Napster
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iTunes by Apple - Music and Movie Downloads
The simplest service, you just pay for the track and download it to your iPod. Of course, you can listen on computer too. And now movies and TV shows are available for purchase.
This service comes with the iTunes Player. There is no free trial, as of this writing.