Second iTunes phone

Motorola today announced a new iTunes-supported version of its RAZR mobile handsets. The phone, expected later this year, will feature mobile iTunes software for integration with Apple's iTunes Music Store. The forthcoming launched by Motorola in early September. The software allows users to either randomly or manually autofill the phone/MP3 player with podcasts, audiobooks, or music songs. Since its launch, Apple has added full video support to iTunes, however, Motorola's product pages mention no support for video.

The original iTunes ROKR phone, which has failed to meet expectations and has not sold as well as analysts expected, limits music storage to 100 songs. However, with its second generation iTunes phone, Motorola didn't provide any further details on the iTunes integration, but noted that the handset offered a mini-USB stereo headset and a hot-swappable TransFlash memory card, which could be used to expand the music or other content storage. The company said that handsets featuring iTunes software will offer a dedicated iTunes key for easy access to music.

Motorola also launched new pink and blue versions of the RAZR phone along with a new CDMA RAZR with Ev-DO, designed for mobile carriers that utilize CDMA networks, such as Sprint and Verizon; however, Motorola said that iTunes support will depend on each mobile carrier and regional availability/support, and specifically indicated that iTunes would not be available on all models in all regions. Currently, the only available iTunes phone--the ROKR--is exclusively available through Cingular, an arrangement that may continue, following remarks by Apple's CEO Steve Jobs and interest by Cingular to create a joint music download service with Apple.

by MacNN Staff