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Shawn Fanning, who rose to fame as the founder of the legendary music sharing network Napster before crashing back to earth thanks to the likes of Metallica and the RIAA, has turned up in a new role as a Volkswagen spokesperson. The new ads from the German automaker portray a classic 1964 Volkswagen Beetle named Max hosting a talk show. His guests have included Leonard Nimoy from “Star Trek”, David Hasselhoff from “Baywatch” as well as Bobby Knight and Heidi Klum. Each guest discusses a particular trait of the Volkswagen brand.  Max, the Beetle talks about how Fanning brought music sharing to the world and Fanning talks about how the Volkswagen has developed clean diesel fuel. When Max argues that Fanning’s thing is cooler, Fanning wryly replies “Yeah but your thing is legal and trust me, legal is cooler!” Not surprisingly, the word Napster isn’t actually mentioned at all but it didn’t have to be. Everyone knows what “free music sharing service” is being talked about! Keep reading to check out the video…

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OnStar is going to go all-digital sometime down the road, leaving any analog system users out of luck. The change primarily affects anyone who owns a pre-2002 GM vehicle, some 2002-2004 GM vehicles and some Acura, Audi, Subaru and Volkswagen vehicles with built-in OnStar. It’s a result of a small 2002 FCC decision allowing cell phone companies to shut down analog networks beginning February 2008. Dealers will upgrade some GM 2002-2004 if customers buy a three-year subscription at $199 a year. Otherwise, analog OnStar users will need to convert to digital equipment, if it is even possible for their vehicle. About half of OnStar’s 4 million subscribers still drive vehicles that cannot be upgraded. And, oh yeah, the FCC decision will affect cell phone users, too. At least a cell phone can easily be replaced - Hey, it’s yet another reason to keep readin’ Gadgetell!

UPDATE: Analog OnStar owners furious: Class Action Lawsuit

Read [NY Times] via [Technoride]