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Microsoft Bringing its DRM to Phones

By Ed Oswald, BetaNews

April 5, 2006, 1:00 PM

AT CTIA WIRELESS Microsoft said Wednesday at the CTIA Wireless tradeshow in Las Vegas that it planned to make "significant investments" in digital rights management for mobile devices such as cell phones. The company also disclosed it was in discussions with several wireless firms to enable new mobile entertainment options for consumers.

The more than 800 million handsets worldwide represent an "untapped market" for entertainment, Microsoft argued.

Windows Media DRM is used in over 100 content services and hundreds of devices, the company said. With such broad adoption, it is the most widely used DRM system. Microsoft now plans to push for its use in the mobile industry through these new investments.

"We're responding to our wireless partners around the world who are asking for a solution to enable new scenarios in the industry," said Kevin Johnson, co-president of the Platforms & Services Division at Microsoft. "We want to give consumers what they want -- seamless experiences with premium content on a wide range of mobile devices."

Microsoft's partners lauded the announcement, saying it was an important step in advancing mobile multimedia applications. Many have said that some form of digital rights management was integral in making this happen.

"Microsoft is stepping up to support this vision further with 'anywhere everywhere' protected digital bits," Motorola senior marketing director Chris White said in a statement.

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By cassandra25

edited Apr 5, 2006 - 7:25 PM

The extent to which language and logic is being perverted is astonishing: "we want to give consumers what they want ..." Customers do not want DRM. It makes our "....seamless experiences..." anything but.

M$'s "customers" are really its "partner" and assorted other robber barons. To hell with the plebs who fork out money to buy stuff which they can barely use because of morons who put DRM on it.

Score: 0

By spiffyjeff

posted Apr 6, 2006 - 5:19 PM

DRM = less user friendly. :p on DRM

Score: 0

By Scotch Moose

posted Apr 6, 2006 - 11:20 AM

Just say no, and buy a skype wi-fi phone.

Score: 0

By PC Rat

posted Apr 5, 2006 - 9:14 PM

...

"I really don't want DRM on my cell phone.. unless it works without a hitch"

...

Yeah, the defect in DRM is functional, not moral.
...

The Computer Rodent

...

Score: 0

By The Man

posted Apr 5, 2006 - 1:59 PM

well, guess that will just pave the way for microsoft based os's in cellphones, other than data phones that is. (for better compatability with their entertainment services)

isn't it hard enough to get windows media player out of our computer's, never mind our cell phones. I have a treo, and have a couple movie/music players, and the last thing i want is compatability isssues with my files.

this sorta seems like needing a different dvd player for every motion picture group, or a different cd player for every recording label.

can't we just trust people, and punish them when they break that trust. not slap the cuffs on right away.

i can go to the store and buy a bread knife without having to enter into a contract/agreement on how im going to use it, or on weather or not im going to copy the knife and forge my own, maybe even break it in half and use it as two knives, one for me and one for my illegal knife sharing friend. (lol)

Score: 0

By Ishtumba

posted Apr 5, 2006 - 1:38 PM

I'm all for being legal, but the current state of DRM is a program nightmare. I have chronic problems with DRM with the on-line music services and transferring to a DRM approved device (track either doesn't play or takes 20-30 seconds to begin).

I really don't want DRM on my cell phone.. unless it works without a hitch.

Score: 0

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