• May 24, 2010

Mobile entertainment company Thumbplay has struck a deal with Cellular South, the nation's largest privately owned wireless communications provider, that will provide customers with Android and BlackBerry devices with direct access to Thumbplay's music service.

Known originally for selling ringtones and other mobile content, Thumbplay earlier this year shifted focus to the subscription music business, taking on the likes of iTunes, Rhapsody and Spotify.

Its music service offers unlimited access to more than 8 million tracks from the four major labels and more than 35,000 independent record companies for $9.99 a month along with a free three-day trial. Cellular South customers will be able to download the Thumbplay Music application directly from the carrier's Discover Center Web site. --Mark Walsh