Napster Attacks Ringtones Cell Phone Market
Napster and Dwango Wireless today unleashed the Napstertones mobile phone service on cell phone users. The new search powered music store will provide ringtones and artist voice “shoutouts,” exclusive wallpapers featuring the iconic Napster Kitty and other cool graphics from Napster’s library. Napstertones is immediately available to Cingular and T-Mobile subscribers and will immediately help abnoxious cell phone users further annoy their workmates, fellow restaurant diners, bus companions, and movie goers.
Dwango leveraged its expertise in the digital mobile entertainment space and deep distribution channels to establish Napstertones in the wireless arena. After the initial launch, Dwango and Napster expect that consumers of most major carriers will be able to access the Napstertones service during summer 2005. The service also has a planned rollout in Canada to Rogers Wireless and Fido this June. Napstertones can be directly purchased from Napster at www.napstertones.com, each of which cost $1.99 to $2.99 and which are compatible with a wide variety of phones.
“Napster is dedicated to giving consumers the widest set of options to access the music they love in a way that fits their lifestyle,” said Chris Gorog, chairman and CEO of Napster. “We are excited to work with Dwango to make Napstertones a reality and give millions of wireless subscribers a simple way to get a taste of the Napster experience.”
