I am kidding of course. Not about the AT&T and Napster $1.99 DRM burdened, non iPod compatible tracks. But that it is a great deal. Underwhelming, waste of time and who cares all come to mind as I read this story in the New York Times.

Now wait a moment, I have not told you the entire story yet. If you’re a frequent downloader and who would that be at these DRM locked per track prices? You can sign up for a $7.49 per month plan that gives you access to whopping 5 downloads a month. You will get an e-mail every time you buy a song with a link to download the same title on your computer. Yipeeee. If you buy this, maybe a visit to an Analyst is a good idea. Not a tech analyst, I mean an Analyst!

The service, which AT&T is unveiling Monday, will expand the company’s over-the-air download offerings beyond the independent music it offered through eMusic.com and allow it to compete with offerings from its rivals Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel. Compete? Thank god AT&T has the iPhone.

This new AT&T service will not work with the Apple iPhone or iPods, which is tied to the Apple iTunes service and allows users to load music only from their computers or when they are connected to a Wi-Fi network, not through a cellular signal. Of course iPhone and iPod touch users can buy tracks from ANY Wi-Fi location at 99 cents per track (DRM or DRM-free tracks when available) and can get special features at many Starbucks locations.

Do you think this will help Napster get out of the toilet? I am amazed these guys are still in business as they have a history of underwhelming announcements.

    | Tags: Mobile, music