Microsoft to Power Mobile Music Store

Amid rumors that it is readying its own portable music player to compete with the iPod this holiday season, Microsoft announced Thursday a partnership to power a mobile music service in France. The Redmond company has teamed up with Bouygues Telecom to integrate Windows Media technologies into the carrier's handsets.

Bouygues Telecom will offer over-the-air downloads, as well as purchases through the Internet that can be synced to the phone. By supporting Windows Media DRM, Bouygues handsets will be compatible with more than 100 online music services, and content from its own service can be played back on any WMA-capable music player. Bouygues is also looking into using Windows Media Video for future download offerings.