Motorola to make Windows Media phones alongside iTunes

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Motorola to make Windows Media phones alongside iTunes

Motorola said today that it plans to use Microsoft’s Windows Media technology in a new lineup of music phones that it will sell alongside its iTunes-compatible phones. Motorola will launch one to three Windows Media phones in the second half of 2006, according to an executive speaking at the 3GSM trade show. The company will keep the iTunes phones as a separate line of products.

“Motorola said the new Windows Media phones have been requested by many operators which want to open their own music stores,” reports Reuters. “Microsoft is willing to sell technology that enables this to operators, while Apple has its iTunes music store to protect.” The Windows Media phones will be able to download music over the air from operators, and also directly from a computer.

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Comments

1

Oh, c’mon! Give us a phone with WM *and* iTunes!

Posted by Joel Pan on February 13, 2006 at 8:57 AM (PDT)

2

keep dreamin’ bub!

Posted by Just me on February 13, 2006 at 10:07 AM (PDT)

3

Competition is good. This is the kind of thing that could kill the 100 song limit.

Posted by mattwardfh in Texas on February 13, 2006 at 10:45 AM (PDT)

4

I don’t think it will make a difference if they can’t make the software better than the iTunes phones. The iTunes software on those phones suck. If these WMP phones are anything like that, they’ll be irrelevant.

Posted by Jason Martin on February 13, 2006 at 10:48 AM (PDT)

5

Have they even proven there’s a viable *market* for MP3 phones? I mean, the original ROKR tanked, didn’t it? Why even bother?

Posted by Moe on February 13, 2006 at 11:42 AM (PDT)

6

I almost bought a fancy mp3 player/phone combo instead of an iPod, but I went with the iPod for 2 reasons. 1) I already have a cell phone, and 2) I can’t imagine the battery life on a cell phone with color screen with iTunes or whatever in there being very good. Does anybody have any experience with these things?

Posted by Werewolf on February 13, 2006 at 11:47 AM (PDT)

7

It clarifies that the Apple Moto deal is not exclusive. Apple can do what it wants (and will, even if we don’t understand it)

Posted by iPodG5 on February 13, 2006 at 12:32 PM (PDT)

8

I would definently buy the microsoft phone because it would be more functional then the itunes one is now.
Like the other person said competition is good. And that might just make the itunes phone more open

Posted by Jonathan Keim on February 13, 2006 at 2:42 PM (PDT)

9

I have a feeling the Apple/Moto deal will break soon enough. Certainly when Apple releases their own cell phone.

Posted by Joshdude in Long Beach, CA on February 13, 2006 at 2:45 PM (PDT)

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