Microsoft to Acquire Musiwave
Red Herring is reporting that Microsoft is in talks to acquire Musiwave who operates the music download stores for mobile operators Orange UK, T-Mobile, and Leap Wireless.
In Microsoft’s news release, Pieter Knook, senior vice president of mobile communications at Microsoft, said the acquisition would let the company explore “untapped” areas and bring it “key assets,” combining Musiwave’s relationships with music labels, device makers, and mobile operators with its own Zune devices and Windows Mobile operating system.
Here are some details from the Openwave Press release.
Microsoft Corp. today announced it has entered into an exclusivity agreement around its intention to acquire Musiwave SA, an Openwave company and a leading provider of mobile music entertainment services to operators and media companies. The acquisition would bring Musiwave’s relationships with music labels, device makers and mobile operators that deliver digital entertainment to consumers, together with Microsoft’s Connected Entertainment technologies and services, including Windows Mobile, Zune, MSN and Windows Live. Should the transaction proceed, Musiwave would continue to operate out of its current headquarters in Paris.
“Microsoft and Musiwave share the same philosophy in working with hardware and mobile operator partners to deliver great experiences for mobile device users,” said Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft. “Bringing Musiwave on board would provide an opportunity for Microsoft to explore new areas in the mobile space previously untapped, and to showcase the power of software plus services. This contemplated acquisition reflects Microsoft’s recognition of the software and technology expertise in Europe.”
“Musiwave would bring key assets to us as we continue to bring our vision of Connected Entertainment to life,” said J Allard, corporate vice president in charge of music at Microsoft. “Its software expertise and extensive relationships with operators and music companies would help us take our products and services to the next level, giving people access to whatever entertainment content they want, whenever and however they want it.”
Looks like the future is looking up for the Zune and getting music on the go!
No comments yet.