MyStrands updates, adds party hosting features, Napster integration

MyStrands provides event goers with an easy way to interact with their surroundings using their mobile phones. The derivative of PartyStrands got a substantial update this week. The service (which we covered in November) has rolled out a few new tools for users to host similar features in their own homes.

MyStrands now lets you pull from Napster's music library to host music for parties. Users can browse through Napster tracks using the MyStrands app and play any full song for free up to three times, without actually having to use Napster. There's also an indie-artist radio player, with suggestive interactivity similar to Pandora, where the playlist changes based on your likes and dislikes.

What's really neat is the new embeddable music widget. You can put it on your blog or social networking profile, and if you're using the MyStrands music player, your current song will automatically be shown to other users. People can just click on the artist and get more information about how many other MyStrands users have listened to that same song.

I first experienced a service similar to PartyStrands at a concert last year, and it was surprisingly entertaining. People were sending pictures and messages to a special number, and their content was being shown on the JumboTron. Some wrote haiku, others just shout outs to friends, but when you're waiting for a concert to start, anything is entertaining. I'm not so sure the same can be said about using a service like this at smaller house parties, though.

[via Mashable]