14 DAY TRIAL // Nokia and EMI have signed a partnership and will soon launch the bFree service, which represents their take on future music download services.
The service, codenamed CoolZone, will allow the customers of the coffee shops to listen to music sent to their phone via Bluetooth technology. In order to use this service, users will have to download on their phone a software program that will allow access to the musical content. The phones that will be compatible with the new service are the Nokia 40 and 60 series, which have Bluetooth. The user will be also able to download wallpapers, ring tones and video clips for their phones.
The two companies are offering this service free in some coffee shops in Helsinki, Finland. But Nokia officials have stated that the company might charge for CoolZone in the future. Also, EMI didn't yet confirm which artists will be available for download through this service.
The announcement of the two companies is made in a period in which many handset manufacturers try to transform these terminals in devices that do much more than a simple phone. Many devices are now equipped with different memory card slots that allow generous storing space and even a FM Radio Tuner.