Kik for BlackBerry to Offer DRM-Free Music Purchasing on-Device, Plus Three Free Plays

At the BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM) Developer Conference last calendar month, a really great new app called Kik made quite the splash, claiming that they would be offering DRM-free MP3 downloads directly from the device, on top of three free people plays per track, with additional hearing facilitated by audio ads. It was easily the best pitch of the Developer Challenge, and due to the overwhelming response, they were shy about showing more of the app to us after the conference. Luckily, Kik has recently posted their demonstration, so you can see what it’s all about.

The developers originally worked on an alternative media actor called Unsynced, which is still very much at the heart of Kik, but considering the slant Livingston was pickings, I’d like to see some medicine ID software included in there, like Midomi or Shazam. 7Digital walked away with the big trophy with their similar app, hinging mostly on Kik’s shaky billet on licensing, but if Kik can deliver on their promises of free plays and have a sizable depository library to search, they whitethorn be the mobile medicine memory board to beat.

In a recent newssheet (which you tin sign up to receive at their placeholder site), Kik has confirmed that they’re still on for launch their beta in Canada start Jan, with U.S. handiness shortly thereafter. The update also alluding to a Napster partnership, background diligence, and some kind of instant messaging expression. It’ll be interesting to see what these guys whirl after the holidays…