14 DAY TRIAL // Omnifone seems to be set to make serious competition for the iPhone, just as many other companies have with several service offers. MusicStation is expected to eat a large chunk of the mobile music market.
The new MusicStation software will come installed on a large number of handsets, including Sony Ericsson, Nokia and Samsung. This comes as a solution for all those who will not have the chance of owning an iPhone, but still want to benefit from music rendering at high performances.
MusicStation will download music across a data network, which enables users to access it no matter what their position is. This service is especially designed for 2.5 and 3G networks, which are already provided by a large number of operators.
"Its hard to imagine a more compelling music experience on mobile than MusicStation. It works on almost any phone, giving consumers the freedom to choose whatever device they want," said Rob Wells, senior vice president, digital, at Universal Music Group. Moreover, "It allows downloads wherever those consumers are, providing the freedom to access music whenever they want. And it gives users unlimited access to our and other labels catalogues, all for a fixed weekly fee that includes data", as Rob Wells further specified.
MusicStation has already signed international licensing deals with Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, EMI Music and Warner Music International. The first countries where this service will be available are Sweden, France and Germany.
The MusicStation service will be available for all Europeans for a price which varies depending on the service provider. There is also a version which includes maximum liberty for music listening, this for the price of USD4. Omnifone has also closed partnerships with providers in order to bring this service to Australia, Hong Kong, India, New Zeeland, Singapore and South Africa too.