The new service will combine elements of Napster’s PC offering and Ericsson’s personalized music service to support coordinated wireless and PC downloads. It is designed for current handset models and networks but can also accommodate next-generation technology for newer handsets on higher-speed networks.
It will also feature ring tones, master tones, images, wallpaper and video content.
The move comes amidst reports that the digital entertainment market is experiencing a shift from personal computers to mobile devices. Apple’s iTunes is expected to launch on Motorola phones in a few months’ time, while Ericsson’s rival Vodafone and others are reported to be seeing little success with their own music download services.
In addition, BT has recently announced that it would work with Virgin Mobile to trial live television to mobile phones this summer, and Korean firm Samsung Electronics said last month that it was delivering digital TV mobile phone models to Korea.
The Napster and Ericsson service is scheduled to go live in Europe during the next 12 months and will initially be offered to operators in selected markets in Europe, Asia, Latin America and North America.
