7Digital to debut BlackBerry direct music downloads

Even if no one's ever bought a BlackBerry (or, for that matter, a BlockBerry) for its multimedia prowess, things are starting to get a little interesting for the rock'n'rollers over at RIM. According to the Telegraph (UK), the music download site 7Digital will be launching a service for U2's new favorite handset this September. Based around an application that will be available in BlackBerry's App World, customers will be able to download music (with "most" tracks being DRM-free) directly to their phone for 79 cents a pop. Are you excited? No? Well, RIM CEO Jim Balsillie sure is. According to the article, he believes that the market's experiencing nothing less than the "birth of digital music 2.0." What do you think?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 14th 2009 5:02PM]

He's about 5 years behind....

[Dallasm Posted Jul 13th 2009 4:47PM]

I would agree that mobile downloads could be considered 'Digital Music 2.0'. I've bought a lot more music since buying a 3G iPhone with their music store. I hear songs on movies, etc, and drop a dollar. It's pretty fun.

Does anyone know what DRM would be used for the songs? Does RIM license WMA?

[carcomptoy Posted Jul 13th 2009 6:23PM]

I'm excited! It's about time--there've been so many instances when I wanted a song but because I wasn't able to download or even stream it, it was a huge disappointment. Of course, direct downloads will lead to more impulse purchases, but you have to support the economy, right?