Microsoft’s PlayReady platform to move content among devices

Following on the release of its PlaysForSure technology for digital music players, Microsoft Corp. announced a new platform for cellphones, dubbed PlayReady, that it said will enable simple access to a broad range of digital content including music, games, video, ringtones and photos. Microsoft said Cingular Wireless L.L.C., Verizon Wireless, Telefonica, 02 and Bouygues Telecom will use the technology.
Microsoft announced the offering in conjunction with the 3GSM World Congress trade show in Barcelona, Spain.
The new multimedia access technology will support multiple content types and flexible rights, and will bring mobile operators the opportunity to provide a range of new mobile media services, according to Microsoft. The company is scheduled to demonstrate the application for the first time at the 3GSM conference.
The platform is the culmination of extended discussions with the mobile industry, Microsoft said, and incorporates subscription, rental, pay-per-view, previews and distribution for various types of content. PlayReady will also make it easier for consumers to move their content between devices, according to Microsoft. The technology is expected to be available in the first half of 2007. The source code for PlayReady will also be ready available so it can be deployed on any mobile hardware or software platform, including low-end devices.
“Our wireless partners worldwide asked for a single system to power a growing array of business models and consumer scenarios-the result is Microsoft PlayReady,” said Amir Majidimehr, corporate vice president of the consumer media technology group at Microsoft.
Microsoft’s PlaysForSure technology supports digital rights management settings on music files.