Orlando, Florida, United States
Mercora, Inc. today announced the worldwide launch of Mercora M v2, the industry's first and only social music player and mobile radio service for 3G-enabled mobile devices.
In connection with this launch, Mercora is also today announcing an agreement with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT) Windows MobileR to provide users with a 6-month complimentary subscription to the M v2 service, available at www.windowsmobile.com/DoMore.
"Mobile convergence is a reality - the mobile phone is rapidly becoming the MP3 player, radio and media consumption device of choice," said Srivats Sampath, president and CEO of Mercora. "The M v2 transforms the standard mobile phone into a social music and radio player with features more sophisticated than what's available on current mobile offerings or, for that matter, Apple's upcoming phone and music device."
Key features of Mercora M v2 include:
-- Personalized Digital Radio - Over 100,000 high-fidelity music channels searchable by artist, genre, and subgenre, making the M v2 the largest radio service available on any mobile device.
-- Streaming Music Player - M v2 allows wireless users to browse and listen to music libraries stored on their PCs, or optionally on Mercora servers, requiring no side-loading or synchronization.
-- Socially Networked Listening - With the M v2, consumers can use their mobile devices to discover and listen to music, playlists, and listening histories from up to five of their friends and family, anywhere in the world.
-- Support for Podcasts - One-click access to constantly updated and popular podcasts from CNN, MLB, NCAA, NPR and other established news outlets provides M v2 users with continuous access to breaking news and information.
Mercora M v2 also features state-of-the-art audio quality based on a high-performance version of the Ogg/Vorbis audio codec which is optimized for streaming over wireless broadband networks such as EDGE, EV-DO, UMTS and HSDPA. The M v2 integrates with A2DP Stereo Bluetooth to provide a seamless transition from listening on-the-go, in-car and at home, which eliminates the need to carry multiple proprietary listening devices. Currently, the M v2 is compatible with Windows Mobile Smartphones and Pocket PCs, support for additional platforms is anticipated for later this year.
The Mobile Market
According to recent research from Gartner, the Smartphone is becoming one of the fastest-growing major categories of mobile devices, with growth driven by greater operator focus, falling handset prices, and the proliferation of mobile broadband. Gartner forecasts over 700 million Smartphones to be shipped between 2006 and 2009, with music being the second most popular mobile activity behind SMS.
Device and Network Compatibility
Mercora M v2 is optimized for a broad range of Windows Mobile-certified Smartphones and Pocket PC devices such as the Cingular 8125, i-mate JAQ, Motorola Q, Palm Treo 750, Samsung BlackJack, T-Mobile Dash, and Verizon Wireless PN-820 as well as 3G and higher mobile broadband networks such as EDGE, EV-DO, UMTS, HSDPA, Wi-Fi and WiMax.
Pricing and Availability
Mercora M v2 is available to consumers starting today at leading mobile commerce sites and www.mercora.com/M. The M v2 is offered for Windows Mobile users worldwide at an introductory price of $4.99/month. Subscription packages for M v2 are as follows: $14.99 for three months and $49.99 for a one-year subscription.
Members of the media and product reviewers may download high-res product pictures and background material from this URL: www.mercora.com/press/M.
Experience Mercora at CTIA Wireless 2007
Industry analysts and press are welcome to visit Mercora at the QUALCOMM (NASDAQ:QCOM) exhibit (Hall A3, #1645) at the CTIA Wireless 2007 Conference at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Mercora will demonstrate the M v2 with advanced 3G devices based on high-performance chipsets from QUALCOMM CDMA Technologies.
Mercora, Inc.
Mercora's mission is to create the world's largest social radio network by cataloging and organizing the world's music and audio content and making it universally searchable and legally listenable from any device. Mercora (www.mercora.com) is headquartered in Santa Clara, CA.
CONTACT: Contos Dunne Communications for Mercora Paula Dunne, Media 1-408-776-1400 (Office) or 1-408-893-8750 (Mobile) paula@contosdunne.com
Source: Business Wire (Business Wire India)