7digital's Music Store Coming To BlackBerry PlayBook

RIM's BlackBerry PlayBook remains a big X-factor in the tablet world. Will RIM be able to knock off the iPad and the slew of Android tablets with a new OS designed on QNX? It's a system that people aren't familiar with, and we have seen in the past, it's pretty difficult to get people attached to something that they are not familiar with. Not impossible, but not easy in the least. But as always, it's about the quality of the software and the features that are offered. RIM's software has been lacking lately on the mobile side, but early impressions of the PlayBook have been largely positive.

And now, there's yet another reason to consider one. The company just announced that 7digital's Music Store would be available on the tablet. They basically admit that this addition enables the slate to compete with the iPad and iTunes. It'll be pre-installed on the PlayBook in the US and Canada, with a larger international rollout expected in 2011. This particular store lets users browse, preview and purchase tracks from a catalogue of over 13 million MP3s, which is a pretty vast library.

When users enter the store, they'll be able to download audiobooks and videos across Europe and North America, but exactly details remain to be seen. It'll be interesting to see if this ends up being a superior solution to iTunes. Like we said, it's hard to topple the best. Or, what's perceived as the best.

7digital and RIM Strike a Chord with Music Store on the BlackBerry PlayBook

- 7digital Music Store to be pre-installed on the BlackBerry PlayBook at launch in the US and Canada with further international roll out in 2011

- 7digital Music Store lets users browse, preview and purchase tracks from a catalogue of over 13 million MP3s

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM and WATERLOO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - March 9, 2011) - Research In Motion (RIM) (NASDAQ:RIMM)(TSX:RIM) and 7digital today announced that the 7digital Music Store will come pre-installed* on the BlackBerry® PlayBook™.

The 7digital Music Store will give BlackBerry PlayBook users access to 7digital's catalogue of over 13 million high quality (320kbps) MP3s. BlackBerry PlayBook users will be able to search for tracks, albums and artists and preview tracks before making a purchase. Users can also discover new music through 7digital's recommendation technology. Prices for BlackBerry PlayBook users will match the prices on 7digital.com, with individual tracks and albums priced in a customer's local currency.

Ben Drury, CEO 7digital comments, "We're really excited to be working with RIM to bring the 7digital experience to the BlackBerry PlayBook. RIM has created an incredible tablet with premium multimedia features and together we are delivering a truly exceptional music experience for mobile users, offering content that is extremely easy to discover, purchase and use.

"We currently have the largest international footprint of any MP3 digital music seller and we look forward to expanding our business with RIM throughout the year."

"The 7digital Music Store is a perfect complement to the high-performance BlackBerry PlayBook, providing users with fast searches and downloads, and a slick interface that makes it very easy to discover, purchase and enjoy music," said Alistair Mitchell, Vice President, BBM Platform & Integrated Services. "We are thrilled to be working with 7digital to provide BlackBerry PlayBook users with access to an amazing catalog of 13 million tracks."

The BlackBerry PlayBook tablet running the 7digital Music Store application will be previewed this week at the South by South West conference in Austin, Texas.

* Certain territorial restrictions may apply.

About 7digital

7digital is a leading digital media delivery company based in London and operating globally. Through 7digital's download store (www.7digital.com) consumers can access over 13 million legal high quality MP3 music tracks as well as audiobooks and videos at competitive prices across Europe and North America.

Combining 7digital's secure and robust technology platform with the broadest agreements in the digital media industry, the company provides comprehensive digital download services to a wide range of partners around the world. 7digital has worked with record companies, artists, FMCG brands, retailers, consumer electronics companies, fashion brands, advertising agencies and many other organisations to harness the power of digital entertainment, music, video, audiobooks and ebooks, to engage customers. For more information visit www.7digital.com/business.

7digital has provided digital media services to over 500 partners including: RIM, Samsung, Toshiba, HMV, Spotify, Imagination Technologies, Universal Music, EMI, Warner Music, Sony Music, Waterstone's, AOL/Winamp, Imerge, Nestlé, Hugo Boss, Yahoo!, Amnesty International and Adidas, and have delivered tens of millions of digital products in over 30 countries.

Visit www.7digital.com