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# Napster 4.0 – You Can Put Lipstick On A Pig, But…
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/napster-40-you/
- Published: 2007-10-16T05:18:27.000Z
- Updated: 2007-10-16T05:18:27.000Z
- Description: Yesterday Napster launched 4.0. an upgrade that eliminates the need to download special software thus opening their system to Apple and Linux users. They’ve also added some new music discovery. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2007/10/napster-40-you.html]
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Uncategorized, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 11:06

[![Napster](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/2007/10/16/napster.jpg "Napster")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/16/napster.jpg&ref=hypebot.com)

Yesterday Napster launched [4.0](http://www.napster.com/choose/index.html?ref=hypebot.com). an upgrade that eliminates the need to download special software thus opening their system to Apple and Linux users. They’ve also added some new music discovery features and a slick new design. (Crave has a slide tour [here](http://crave.cnet.com/4335-1%5F105-6592705.html?ref=hypebot.com).)

**THE BUNNY KISSES THE PIG**

[![Pig_lipstick_3](https://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/2007/10/16/pig_lipstick_3.jpg "Pig_lipstick_3")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/16/pig%5Flipstick%5F3.jpg&ref=hypebot.com)

  
Normally I’m excited by any upgrades that enhance the digital experience and might increase download numbers, but this one misses the point. Napster 4.0 reminds me of the farmer who said "You can put lipstick on a pig, but its still a pig."

Music subscription has never gained traction. Tens of millions of dollars later Napster has only 770,00 subscribers worldwide. People want to own music; and now a major label backed "Total Control" service could decimate already measly subscriber numbers.

[![Napster_40_5](http://hypebot.typepad.com/hypebot/images/2007/10/16/napster_40_5.jpg "Napster_40_5")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/10/16/napster%5F40%5F5.jpg&ref=hypebot.com)

  
On the download front, Napster says they are getting ready for when  
the DRM floodgates will really open. But why aren’t they selling the  
millions of DRM free tracks available now? A few months ago Napster  
told me that it was because consumers would be confused by mixed  
formats in the same store. Frankly I don’t buy that argument and  
iTunes, Rhapsody and others degree.

Unless they start doing a better job of selling people  
the music they want in the format they want at competitive prices, the  
newest Napster will never gain traction.