I've been fascinated by, obsessed with, and in awe of the United States of America for as long as I can remember.

It started when I was a kid, I guess. I loved Peanuts, Beverly Cleary's Ramona books and - after the reading the back of a cereal box - American football.

It continued as I grew older. I watched American TV, learned about American culture and, at school, began to learn about American history and politics.

Here's the thing, though: I have to admit there was always a little bit of envy involved. America just seemed cooler. Hipper. Had better music, TV, and film. There was the whole "Cool Britania" phase but, let's face it, The Spice Girls don't constitute coolness.

I bring all this up because, today, Napster's new legal service launched in the UK. Several months after it launched in the States. I greeted this with great excitement - the legal download services we have over here are, frankly, poor, and I thought that the entrance of the big boys would at last mean I could easily populate my iPod with tracks.

Until, of course, I discovered that Napster isn't compatible with iPod. I have experienced many similar disappointments when checking out European download services. And frankly, I'm tired of it.

Now, there is clearly a point to make here about Apple's decision over file formats, and making sure that the only thing the iPod is compatible with is Apple's own iTunes store.

I could make this point.

On this occasion, however, I choose not to.

The point I choose to make instead is that once, just once, I'd like Europe to get something first. A film, maybe. Or a TV show. Or, dammit, a legal download service.

And I don't care that we had Pop Idol or Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? first. I want a music service.

Hurry up, Apple. Else you might just lose the support of us European Poddies.