MusicNow Inc., a developer of digital music services, and Best Buy Co. Inc. have launched the MusicNow Download Store on BestBuy.com, they said today. The store will be available only on BestBuy this month before it’s made available to other web sites.

The MusicNow store, unlike other digital music offerings, lets users download songs directly to more than 40 portable digital music players in addition to personal computers. Prices are similar to what’s available through Apple Computer Inc.’s iTunes, Roxio Inc.’s Napster 2 and other services: 99 cents per downloaded song, or $9.95 for a complete album. Like Napster, MusicNow also provides the option of subscribing for an unlimited number of tracks for $9.95 per month.

"Best Buy is committed to offering our customers leading services that make buying entertainment digitally a great experience. With the launch of the MusicNow Download Store in the Windows format, we believe consumers now have a great choice to purchase digital music that will work on many devices," said Scott Young, vice president of digital entertainment for Best Buy. "We want music to be available to people how and when they want it, and that means letting them take their music with them on the road, in the car, or wherever they want to enjoy it."

"Our Windows-based service and unprecedented ease of use with multiple portable devices will further accelerate the mainstream consumer adoption of digital music services," said Scott Kauffman, president and chief executive officer of MusicNow.