Motorola Unveils iTunes-Based Phone, Partners with Yahoo, and Showcases New Devices

Strategic Insights -

At the MOTONOW meeting in Chicago, Motorola CEO Ed Zander announced the company's iTunes-based phone, which will be available in multiple countries and carried by major mobile phone services. The phone is part of Motorola's "ROKR" family of music phones, which will also include other models with dedicated music keys, optimized music player interface, and superior audio capability. Zander revealed that Motorola had missed its initial target of launching the phone in the first half of 2005, but assured that it will be available by September 30 this year.

Motorola also announced its partnership with Yahoo, which will see the integration of Yahoo's Web services, such as search, instant messaging, and e-mail, into Motorola's Linux-based handheld products. The agreement will also enable users to access Yahoo's services on Motorola's broadband-enabled products and the upcoming iRadio device, which will play Internet radio channels and users' personal digital music collections.

In addition to these announcements, Motorola showcased its new devices, including the Windows Mobile 5.0-based "Q" phone, which will give users access to e-mail and is expected to ship in Q1. The company also displayed its "PEBL" line of phones, which will launch in the third quarter, as well as its SLVR line of slim "candy-bar" phones due out in Q4.

Key Takeaways:

  • Motorola announced its iTunes-based phone, which will be part of the "ROKR" family of music phones and available in multiple countries by September 30 this year.
  • The phone will be carried by major mobile phone services and will include dedicated music keys, optimized music player interface, and superior audio capability.
  • Motorola partnered with Yahoo to integrate Yahoo's Web services into Motorola's Linux-based handheld products.
  • The partnership will also enable users to access Yahoo's services on Motorola's broadband-enabled products and the upcoming iRadio device.
  • Motorola showcased its new devices, including the Windows Mobile 5.0-based "Q" phone, which will give users access to e-mail and is expected to ship in Q1.
  • The company also displayed its "PEBL" line of phones, which will launch in the third quarter, as well as its SLVR line of slim "candy-bar" phones due out in Q4.
  • Motorola plans to launch its iRadio device, which will play Internet radio channels and users' personal digital music collections, later this year.
  • The company also unveiled its wireless broadband product portfolio, Wi4, which will be based on the emerging IEEE 802.16e mobile WiMax standard.

Statistics:

  • 2005: The year Motorola initially targeted to launch its iTunes-based phone.
  • September 30: The date by which Motorola's iTunes-based phone will be available in multiple countries.
  • Q1: The quarter in which Motorola's Windows Mobile 5.0-based "Q" phone is expected to ship.
  • Third quarter: The quarter in which Motorola's "PEBL" line of phones will launch.
  • Q4: The quarter in which Motorola's SLVR line of slim "candy-bar" phones will be released.

Sources:

  • Motorola press release: "MOTONOW Press Conference 2006"
  • Yahoo press release: "Yahoo and Motorola Partner to Bring Web Services to Linux-Based Handheld Products"
  • Motorola press release: "Motorola Unveils New Devices at MOTONOW"