Microsoft said yesterday that it's entered into talks to buy mobile music service company Musiwave.
The acquisition by Microsoft would bring Musiwave's relationships with music labels, device makers and mobile operators together with Microsoft's Windows Mobile platform, the Zune and of course MSN. It's all part of what Microsoft music chief J Allard calls a "Connected Entertainment" vision.
Over 1 billion mobile phones with music capabilities are expected to be shipped by the beginning of next decade, according to BetaNews. This provides a significant user base for companies like Microsoft to tap into.
Musiwave's software is already found on many mobile devices sold in Europe, and its likely that with this acquision we would see the mobile technology brought here to the States.
In addition, Microsoft said today that it'll begin sales of the new Zune starting tomorrow. Microsoft unveiled the three new versions of its digital media player last month. The new Zunes can wirelessly and automatically update their music, photos and videos when placed near the user's computer. Read a round-up of the new Zune reviews on Gizmodo here.
Microsoft has sold 1.2 million Zunes since introducing their single 30-gig unit last year.
[via Reuters]
Ryan: Over 1 billion mobile phones with music capabilities are expected to be shipped by the beginning of next decade, according to BetaNews
Like I said before Ryan. Cellphones are going to eventually make iPods obsolete. 1 Billion music phones. The next decade is 2 years away. Sat radio must get a combo cellphone/sat radio out there to compete in the portable market.
Why pay for an iPod if your cellphone can do the exact same thing?
Your cellphone can already do the same thing as an iPod. iPod is a much better user experience and has a "cool" factor that cellphones don't provide. You can also already get XM through your cellphone either through a crappy selection of stations or by going online and listening through their stream. People will eventually move from iPod to cellphones but it won't be a quick migration.
Isn't that exactly why Apple came out with the iPhone? MSFT is just following Apple in lockstep. XMSR/SIRI aren't even in the equation at this point.