RIM's BlackBerry Music Streaming Service Getting Closer To Launch

Research In Motion (RIM) may soon be offering its own music streaming service for its BlackBerry platform. According to multiple insider sources, RIM is in late-stage negotiations with four major record label companies. The service could help RIM expand BlackBerry's appeal beyond enterprise to general consumers.

The four major record label companies that RIM has been in talks with include Universal Music Group, Sony Music, Warner Music Group, and EMI. It's said that RIM has already signed at least one of the top four record label companies and is close to sealing the deal on two more. A test version of the service could roll out within the next few weeks.

Additionally, the sources reveal that the music service will be integrated with BlackBerry Messenger, which is RIM's standout feature, which could soon get eclipsed by competing messaging services from Apple, Google, and Facebook. Integrating a music streaming service may be a way for the BBM to remain competitive, although details on how it would be integrated have not been revealed.

The company is currently in transition from its BlackBerry OS to a new QNX platform. However, it recently launched several BlackBerry 7 OS smartphones including the BlackBerry Bold 9930, BlackBerry Torch 9850, and the BlackBerry Torch 9810.

[via CNET]