Nokia, Microsoft collaborate on PlayReady

Nokia and Microsoft extended their mobile multimedia collaboration to include support for the software giant's PlayReady content access technology across the Nokia S60 and Series 40 mobile device platforms, an agreement that also encompasses Microsoft's DRM safeguards. The firms promise Nokia's PlayReady support will make it easier for content owners and service providers to offer premium content and enable more flexible business models, e.g. renting content or accessing media offline. PlayReady also enables consumers to manage content between multiple platforms and devices: The technology supports virtually all types of digital content and formats including Windows Media Audio, Windows Media Video, AAC, AAC+, AMR and H.264.

Microsoft released the PlayReady Porting Kit for mobile devices earlier this month, and expects the first PlayReady-enabled services to appear in 2008. PlayReady is designed for backward compatibility with Windows Media DRM 10--devices supporting the technology can access existing Windows Media DRM-based content as well as new PlayReady content services.

"People are increasingly using their mobile devices for enjoying digital content, such as music, games, videos and photos," said Ilkka Raiskinen, Nokia senior VP of multimedia experiences. "By adding support for Microsoft PlayReady technology, we are enabling service providers to offer a wide range of content and create truly compelling experiences across mobile devices, personal computers and online services. We plan to support PlayReady across a range of S60 and Series 40 devices starting in 2008."

For more on the Nokia/Microsoft collaboration:
- read this release

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