Motorola plays iTunes

Posted on 15 Feb 2005 at 09:52

Motorola has unveiled its highly anticipated iTunes-playing 3G phone, the E1060, at the 3GSM Congress in Cannes, France

With up to 512MB of additional storage via a removable card, the phone will have the same capacity as the smaller of the iPod shuffle models, though whether it will match Apple's device for sound quality remains to be seen.

Although iTunes will be the default media player, it will not be the only one.

'We're committed to have iTunes as the default music client, but we'll also continue to support other music players such as RealPlayer,' said Amer Husaini, vice president for Motorola's mobile devices group in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

The phone incorporates two cameras: one for two-way video conferencing and the second, a 1.3 megapixel with 8x zoom, for taking pictures of your mates when drunk. This can also capture MPEG-4 video and play streaming audio and video via 3G. Other features include Bluetooth 2, WAP 2.0 Web access, MMS, email, instant messaging support and J2ME MDIP 2.0 for downloading new MP3 ringtones, screensavers, games and applications.

The phone includes class 2 Bluetooth wireless technology, you can seamlessly transfer information between your Motorola E1060 and a compatible PC, PDA or other compatible Bluetooth -enabled device. Or, indulge in hands-free discussions using a compatible Bluetooth headset or car kit while your phone is up-to 30 feet away.

The phone will be available towards the end of the year, although UK availability remains to be confirmed.

Apple and Motorola announced in July 2004 that they would be putting iTunes on mobile phones. The software will enable iTunes users to transfer music, including paid-for downloads, from their computer to the phone.

'We can't think of a more natural partnership than this one with Apple, the brand synonymous with easy-to-use, legal music downloading, and Motorola, the innovator in mobile technology,' explained Ed Zander, chairman and CEO of Motorola. 'Being able to transfer songs you've purchased from iTunes to Motorola mobile handsets expands the market reach for both of us and drives new revenue for customers, delivering an amazing music experience to millions of wireless users.'

Author: Simon Aughton