Mobile Streaming Music Service Launched
Webcasting company Mercora is debuting a new music service for mobile phones, but its concept is much different from other services. Instead of downloading a track from a users computer or an online service, Mercora's application streams music from the user's PC to his or her phone.
Dubbed Mercora M, the service is compatible with smartphones using Windows Mobile 5.0. Users install the Mercora software on their home PC, which would then be able to stream OGG, MP3 and WMA files to the phone.
Left out is iTunes AAC format, which the company says it cannot play due to the closed nature of Apple's music technology. However, songs ripped to an iTunes library are playable. In the end, all files are transcoded to OGG format for streaming to the phone, which requires lower bitrates.
Initially, the service would be free, although after October 31 there would be a $4.99 USD monthly charge. One and two year subscription plans are available for $49.99 and $99.99 USD, respectively.
In addition to the user's own library, thousands of Internet radio channels would be available, and eventually the company plans to allow a user to be able to browse the libraries of up to five other Mercora users anywhere in the world, although permission would need to be granted first.
Microsoft's upcoming Zune portable audio player has a similar feature, however it is limited to those who may have the device nearby. Also unlike Mercora, Zune users cannot re-share those songs.
While some may scoff at the need for such a service, data indicates that an increasing number of U.S. cell phone users are utilizing the media features of their devices. Whereas in 2004 only six percent used the multimedia functionally, that has now nearly tripled to 17 percent.
Many analysts believe this surge may also signal the end of the stand-alone MP3 player; it has been long-rumored that Apple is working on an "iPhone" for that exact reason.
Users interested in trying out the service who have a compatible phone can visit the Mercora Web site.