Updated Napster has made the first public test version of its controversial MP3 music sharing software available for the Mac.

The software - version 1.0b1 - is designed for MacOS 9, but will also run natively on MacOS X, thanks to its use of the Carbon API. However, such use is unsupported, Napster said - it doesn't yet have any MacOS X development tools, the legally-challenged company admitted.

Napster has promised a Mac version of its eponymous application for some time. In the interim, other MP3 'seek-locate-download' apps have emerged, such as the Napster-compatible Macster.

The irony here, we learn from Register readers, is that Napster for Mac is Macster, which was developed by Black Hole Media. Says their site: "Now that we're the official Napster client for the Mac, there's several improvments to your Napster experience that you can expect. First and foremost, Napster for the Mac can now more easily stay up to date with the windows client. We're not completely up to par with our Windows brother, but we'll be there very soon.

"This doesn't mean we're going to sacrifice the Mac Interface we've so proud of. We're not going to try to copy the interface from the Windows version. Instead we're going to keep Napster for the Mac looking and acting like a Mac program should."

The release of the Mac version is a sign that Napster isn't letting the threat of closure hinder its operation. The company - and its bitter enemy, the Recording Industry Association of America - are still awaiting the verdict of the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeal on whether the service should be shut down for contributory copyright violation. ®

Related Link

Napster's Mac download page

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