BEDMINSTER, N.J.-Verizon Wireless said it will use technology from Microsoft Corp., PacketVideo and the Platform for Media Inc. to power its recently announced Vcast streaming video service. The $15 per month service allows the carrier’s EV-DO subscribers to view video clips on their handsets.
“We are excited that Verizon Wireless chose Windows Media to power Vcast, which sets the standard for wireless multimedia services in the United States,” said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. “Video clips on Vcast are consistently streamed at 15 frames per second, capturing the graceful pass of a tiny football among a myriad of players, or a weatherman showing storm cloud movements on a geographical map. The advent of this dynamic service highlights Microsoft’s leadership and commitment in providing its partners with the best technologies for audio and video playback over wireless networks.”
Verizon also announced its third CDMA EV-DO handset-the UTStarcom Inc. CDM8940-which will support the carrier’s Vcast streaming video service.
The new handset features a 1.3-megapixel camera/camcorder and a miniSD card slot. It will sell for $230 with a two-year agreement.
Verizon has previously announced EV-DO handsets from Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and LG Electronics Co. Ltd.
