The V Cast Music with Rhapsody experience is easy to use and understand, and, by combining both the mobile download and the Rhapsody subscription service in one monthly plan, delivers considerable bang for the buck .
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If you have CDs that you don't want anymore, you can trade them on Lala.com, a very cool online swap meet that also offers Internet radio stations and compelling community features.
The intuitive and aesthetically pleasing Zune Marketplace works well as an audio jukebox and Zune companion, but it's missing some key ingredients that would make it a one-stop shop.
Despite some glitches, MTV Urge is one of the best subscription music services we've seen to date. If taking your choice of millions of songs with you anywhere sounds appealing, make sure you check out this offering from MTV.
AOL Music Now, currently in preview, offers great new features for those who use multiple PCs but still needs to work on the basics.
If you are prone to Big Brother paranoia, this is not the program for you. But if you couldn't care less whether a company or a label monitors your tastes, you'll be rewarded with gobs of new music--and an easy method for navigating it all.
While not without its annoying flaws, Pandora is an interesting idea that will undoubtedly guide even the music übergeek to new discoveries--and it's free!
The Sprint Music Store fits the bill if you're looking for instant gratification on the digital music front, but the $2.50-per-track price tag is hard to swallow.
The updated Yahoo Music Unlimited subscription service has more to recommend it than its low price.
Specs: Windows
Winamp is still a fun player for customizing your playback experience, but most users will prefer the all-in-one experience of Windows Media Player or iTunes.
A robust library of high-quality music files and seamless integration on the OS and media jukebox level give MSN Music some distinct advantages over established stores and services.
Windows Media Player 10.0 is a great choice for Windows XP users who want a single jukebox that does it all.
If you subscribe to a streaming audio service and want the music in your permanent collection, Replay Music is a sound investment.
We liked RealOne MusicPass when it debuted, but it pales with a bit of competition. No way to burn songs to CD? No way to transfer to portable players? No way. Get eMusic instead.
Music Now more than meets your need for radio-friendly fluff, but unless you're always bound to the computer, you'll miss eMusic's CD-burning capabilities.
If you're a huge fan of Christian music, you might get your money's worth from BurnItNow, despite its small catalog of tunes. Everyone else, look to RealOne MusicPass or eMusic for a wider selection.
Open usage policy, a low per-download price point, and intelligent editorial content make eMusic a boon for fans of independent labels.
RealPlayer 10.5's coolest new feature is its embedded Music Store's compatibility with virtually all MP3 players--including the iPod.
Audible.com ranks among the Web's best services. If you like your reading material in digital format, subscribe ASAP.
You can play tracks purchased from Connect on multiple Sony devices, but the service can't match iTunes Music Store's catalog, ease of use, features, or compatibility.
