BlackBerry handset maker Research in Motion (RIM) will reportedly launch an online music download service for BlackBerries in order to compete with competitors Apple and Nokia. RIM's signing up with 7Digital to bring a 6 million track library to BlackBerry phones starting September. The service will hit in "UK, US, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Spain," and will be priced at the standard $0.99 track and $9.99 album model.

It comes through a partnership with UK-based download website 7Digital, and will launch in the UK, US, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Spain in September.According to marketing manager Peter Davias, the application will be free. There won't be an unlimited service, like Comes With Music. Tracks will cost the same as via the company's website - 99 cents for a track or $9.99 for an album in the US, or 79p/£7.99 in the UK. Of the six million tracks available, most will be DRM-free.

Davias said the service would offer a bit more than iTunes or Comes With Music. "One thing these mobile stores lack is that they are just stores," He said. "We're going to offer editorial - not just recommendations but features on new music and reviews."

The move should boost the BlackBerry's popularity with non-business users. "The BlackBerry is becoming more consumer-focused, and one thing it's really been lacking is a music strategy," said Davias. "This is obviously key."

The service will launch concurrently in September in the UK, US, Canada, France, Italy, Germany and Spain.