They’ll be able to buy music from iTunes directly, no longer having to download to their home computers and then sync to the device.
[aditude-amp id="flyingcarpet" targeting='{"env":"staging","page_type":"article","post_id":31222,"post_type":"story","post_chan":"none","tags":null,"ai":false,"category":"none","all_categories":"business,","session":"A"}']Meanwhile, Groove Networks, a company that has already been offering music downloads to mobile users, announced that it would fight on against Apple’s initiative by taking $6 million more in funding from venture capitalists.
AI Weekly
The must-read newsletter for AI and Big Data industry written by Khari Johnson, Kyle Wiggers, and Seth Colaner.
Included with VentureBeat Insider and VentureBeat VIP memberships.
Groove says its users have downloaded 35 million songs since 2004, striking distribution deals with Vodafone, MTS Allstream and Sony BMG to allow their subscribers to access Groove.
But its mission may be uphill going forward. It cost $2.50 to download a song on Groove, way more than iTunes’ 99-cent price. Groove does let you play your song on your cell phone and save a version to your PC for playing as well, however. The company sells songs from EMI, Warner Music International and some smaller labels.
Groove took the funding from ORIX Venture Finance. It has now raised a total of $32 million.
Former backers in include Egan Capital, Charles River Ventures, Kodiak Venture Partners, and Star Ventures.
VentureBeat's mission is to be a digital town square for technical decision-makers to gain knowledge about transformative enterprise technology and transact. Learn More