[Michael]

Pressplay today launched a new version of its service, allowing users unlimited streaming and more flexibility in burning music onto blank CDs and transferring it to portable digital players.

The new version, Pressplay 2.0, became available on Thursday through distribution affiliates MP3.com, Microsoft Corp.'s MSN service, Roxio Inc., Sony Musiclub and Yahoo, the company said.

While Pressplay had allowed some CD burning of major label songs in the past, the new version allows users a wider choice of those songs and the option of continuing to add to the number of songs they move to CD or a portable player on a pay-for-use basis, the company said.

"During our first six months of service, we have focused on learning what our members want so that we could refine Pressplay to meet their demands," said Pressplay Chief Executive Michael Bebel.

Bebel was named CEO in early July to replace Andy Schuon, who resigned to join Infinity Radio.

Pressplay 2.0 provides all members with unlimited streaming and unlimited downloading to their computers from its extensive catalog of more than 100,000 songs, the company said.

For instance, under a plan costing $17.95 per month, users can get unlimited streaming, unlimited downloading, and 10 "portable downloads" per month -- music that can be burned to CDs or transferred to portable devices.

Users can transfer their "portable downloads" to devices that support the Microsoft Windows Media format and Windows Media digital rights management technology, including models in SonicBlue's Rio line, CreativeLabs' Nomad line and Compaq's iPAQ.

Pressplay launched its service in the United States in December 2001. It competes with independent companies like Listen.com and FullAudio, as well as another major label-backed rival, MusicNet.

All of these services face the uphill battle of luring a base of consumers who are accustomed to getting music for free from unauthorized file-sharing services like Napster, Morpheus and Kazaa, analysts said.


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Thank You Johnathan for the Article