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Wireless Music Connects with Smartphones

Calling it the next big step in mobile music enjoyment, Mercora, a privately owned company, will launch "M", the first wireless, over the air mobile media application for smart phones. But soon enough the "M", a product of the 3-year old internet radio provider, will not be the only player in the market, as it will be joined by Microsoft`s Zune and Apple`s IPhone.

Unlike its competitors, Mercora will not sell online tunes for MP3 players but for phones which have MP3 playing capabilities, the mobile service will turn the phones into wireless players with the contribution of a piece of software, and without distorting the sound quality. Only smartphones using the Windows Mobile 5.0 OS will be initially included in the list of compatible mobiles for ?M?.

The `M` features allow subscribers to log on to the home music libraries of up to five other people anywhere in the world. Any of the songs can be broadcast with Bluetooth over a car stereo or in a home entertainment center. The service also allows subscribers to stream tracks broadcast on thousands of Internet radio channels. At launch, the "M" will be free through Oct. 31. But later on the company will charge $4.99 a month. The company was also offering a 12-month subscription for $49.99 and a two-year subscription for $99.99.