Puretracks Will Launch Consumer-Friendly Music Service On BlackBerry

Puretracks, a Toronto-based digital music provider, is launching a music service for BlackBerrys that could help make RIM's (NSDQ: RIMM) enterprise-focused devices more consumer-friendly. RIM will be under increasing pressure as Apple (NSDQ: AAPL) gears up to launch Microsoft's (NSDQ: MSFT) ActiveSync on the iPhone, enabling enterprise users to get email, calendar and contacts pushed to the iPhone. Enabling Blackberry devices to do more consumer services may widen the appeal of Blackberry devices, and enable some users to carry just one device for both their work and personal lives.

Puretracks is partnered with Universal, Sony (NYSE: SNE) BMG, Warner, EMI, and independent labels worldwide. The store will debut in the U.S., but there's no word on how much the tracks will cost, or if Puretracks will partner with carriers or go direct to consumers. Puretracks, which is building the service with the help of Magnet Mobile Media, will show off the DRM-free service tomorrow at SXSW in Austin before launching at CTIA next month. The music store will be available on the BlackBerry Pearl, the BlackBerry Curve and the 8800 series, which already have music players embedded into the phones. Release.