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.
