Sprint Nextel set to ditch PC song downloads
Music service to be handset-only beginning Oct. 15
September 30 2008 - 11:55 am ET | Dan Meyer | RCR Wireless News
Sprint Nextel Corp. is set to ax the download of songs from its Sprint Music Store to desktop computers beginning Oct. 15.
The service’s home page includes a link titled “PC Downloads Update,” that includes the following explanation: “Beginning October 15, 2008, Sprint Music Store purchases will no longer include a second PC copy. All Sprint Music Store purchases will continue to be conveniently delivered directly to your Sprint handset.”
The page adds that customers who have purchased tracks from the service will have until Oct. 14 to download the PC copy to their desktop.
The Sprint Music Store service currently provides one copy of purchased tracks to the customer’s handset and one that can be downloaded to a computer using Microsoft Corp.’s Media Player DRM wrapper for 99 cents. Customers can backup tracks downloaded to their handset on their PC, but those tracks can only be played on the handset that originally purchased the content.
Sprint Nextel originally charged $2.50 per track when it launched the music service, but cut the price to less than a dollar to align with what online music services typically charge.
Verizon Wireless offers a similar two-track service, but charges customers $2 per song.
October 16, 2008 06:03 pm
why would i want to buy a drm-ladden song in the first place? learn to do it yourself or don't buy a disabled phone.
October 1, 2008 06:00 am
Music Store users who replace a lost device or upgrade their phone/memory card can use “Web Sync” to transfer their Sprint Music Store collection. Web Sync is not being affected by recent changes. Here's how Web Sync works: - Launch Sprint Music Store and toggle to the “Player”- Press “Menu” (right softkey) then select “Web Sync”- A five-step process will launch – progress/status will appear on the screen (e.g. Step 2 of 5, etc.)- Once complete, all songs that have been synched to the device will appear in italics within the Player- Select one song and the option will be provided to complete the download of this song or all songs all at once- Once all song downloads have been complete, full access will be available to Music Store purchases made on this account- There is no charge for this service
September 30, 2008 10:06 pm
I hate these stupid DRM. Why can't I buy the song I want and listen to it where ever I want (Home, work, school, mp3 player, desktop, laptop, my car stereo, etc...) It just doesn't make any sense to buy the same song twice just because you want to listen to it on a different device.
September 30, 2008 11:58 am
Way to Go Retarded! If you bothered to either read the post before yours or actually make an effort to research the topic before making an opinion, you might actually have sounded intelligent. You CAN re-download your songs when you upgrade. I've upgraded my phone and got all my songs to transfer to my new phone. Way to "think things through"...
September 30, 2008 11:58 am
if you change your handset you can websycn the music to the next device you just cant send the music to other phones that are not on the account.
September 30, 2008 12:01 pm
Way to go Sprint! If I can only play the songs on the handset I originally downloaded them to, what happens when I change handsets?I guess I have to start my music collection over, or never upgrade.Great job. Way to think things through and take care of the customer!