Urge Is Open For Business – A First Look

Today marks the launch of Microsoft and MTV’s URGE music download and subscription service and MTV is promising some special content and surprises.  Check it out and let Hypebot know what your think. 

Urge is offering a free 14 day trial that allows you to use virtually all of their features. To avoid getting charged at the end of 14 days you can skip entering credit card info (see skip button in upper right corner of credit page) and continue with registration.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS – The site is easy to navigate and as slick as you’d expect it to be.  URGE us rich in content – blogs, broadcasts and more – although not much richer than Rhapsody and others. There is something elegantly seducing about having my music service seamlessly wrapped into my media player.  That is of course if you don’t mind Bill Gates controlling your computer.

THE PITCH & THE COMMENTARY –

• Millions of songs. All music, from hip hop to country to jazz. (MAYBE 2 MILLION.)
• Total music mobility. Transfer your music to compatible portable music players. (BUT NOT ON MILLIONS OF IPODS.)
• More than 500 playlists. Styles, Must-Haves, TV shows, Celebrity, Years, Cities, and more. (NOT BAD BUT BEEN THERE DONE THAT.)
• Music and more from MTV, VH1 AND CMT. Stuff you can’t find anywhere else. (HAS POTENTIAL IF CROSS PROMOTED WITH TV.)
• URGE Feeds. New music delivered straight to your PC and portable music player. (COOL IDEA. PROVE IT.)
• Features, profiles, interviews and blogs. From leading voices in music. (DOES MUSIC STILL HAVE LEADING VOICES?)
• More than 130 radio stations. Professionally programmed. CD-quality. Commercial free. (…AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS FOR FREE ON THE NET.)
• Rip, burn, sync. It’s never been easier. (PROVE IT. I WANT MY MP3’S.)