The age of the MP3 could change. A new music file format that is one-tenth the size of the typical MP3 file could be here soon. Called the Mobile XMF, this file would make it possible to download tunes in a timely manner on older digital mobile phone networks with low cost phones that are found in emerging markets. Beatnik who has developed this new innovation believes that Eastern European countries, China, Latin America and India where manufacturers sell lots of low-cost phones can be potential markets for this. Users in these markets want to download the best music but do not have the phones to do so. The reason for this is the lack of wireless bandwidth on GPRS data networks found in these countries. What's more, most of the phones connected to the GPRS networks are low-cost and less feature-rich than more expensive smartphones. In order to use this, the software will be embedded in chipsets sold by Texas Instruments and other chipmakers. To play full songs, the manufacturers would have to add another layer of Beatnik software in the phones.

Beatnik is now in the process of licensing its new technology to carriers and hardware manufacturers. Even though the file format is smaller, it has the same sound quality as standard files and allows for immediate playback during the download process.
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