NEWS: A serious challenger to iTunes?

A new download service named 7digital has been launched, and which may prove to be one of the first real challenges to Apple's dominance of the download market.

7digital allows users to download a copy of purchased songs to their computer, and also keep a copy online.

This means you will be able to access your complete music collection from anywhere in the world - as long as you can find an internet connection.

The new service already offers a wide range of music, including all of EMI's recently DRM-free tracks. Prices are also lower than iTunes: some tracks will cost just 50p, with selected albums for £5.

"We have developed the '7digital Locker' that provides access to your digital media collection from anywhere in the world,' said Ben Drury, managing director of 7digital.

Music from 7digital is offered in the MP3 format at a bit rate of 320Kbps - higher than iTunes' standard offering of 128kbps and also better than the iTunes Plus format of 256Kbps.

Will this challenge Apple's 80 per cent share of the digital download market?

Let us know what you think.