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Business News Deals Digital
Omnifone announce new cross-platform plans
By CMU Editorial | Published on Friday 9 January 2009
Also making big announcements at CES were London-based mobile music service provider Omnifone who announced a new partnership with music data company Gracenote (probably best known for providing track information in iTunes) which will see the two companies launch a range of new digital music services, including some accessed by devices other than mobile phones, including PCs, home entertainment systems and in-car stereos.
Like Omnifone’s mobile music services, most notably the MusicStation service made available in the UK via Vodafone, these services will be subscription-based, providing unlimited access to vast catalogues of music in return for some kind of subscription fee, possibly bundled in with other rental costs.
The principle idea is that the expansion of Omnifone’s services to other devices will ultimately enable subscribers to access music from whatever music device is most convenient at any one time – on their stereo system when in car or at home, their PC at work, their mobile while on the move, etc etc. Gracenote’s technology will help users synchronise their personal music library between devices, and to incorporate tracks from their own private digital music collections.
Gracenote sales and marketing VP Jim Hollingsworth told CMU: “We understand that consumers want access to all music content, as well as a consistent digital media experience no matter where they are – on the go, at home, or in the car”.
“What we are demonstrating is a next-generation music solution to the industry that addresses this consumer demand. This is an example of the future digital entertainment experience, and exemplifies the direction that commerce, content and technology companies should be headed”.
Omnifone boss Rob Lewis added: “Omnifone’s partnership with Gracenote will make connected unlimited music services a reality in the living room, in the car, on mobile devices, and computers; everywhere we go our music collections, playlists, and recommendations will follow seamlessly, automatically and without wires”.
“Historically, unlimited music service providers have focused on mobile and PC platforms, but consumers want access to music in the living room and the car, as much as the mobile and desktop computer”.
“This announcement means music lovers will soon have the freedom to access and consume unlimited music legally, across a wide range of device platforms, with the most appropriate user interface and file format for each device, synchronized automatically rather than having to side-load, back-up or rip compact discs”.
