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    O2 Germany launches integrated music phone

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    SDC supplies Java based DRM

    Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology from Secure Digital Container AG (SDC) is powering the first integrated digital music player and mobile phone, launched by O2 Germany in June 2004.

    The new Siemens SX1 Music is the first ever handset with the ability to download DRM protected, full-length music tracks over the air and directly on to the device without the need for a separate music player.

    The integrated mobile music device has long been the ‘holy grail’ of the mobile phone industry – however, to date, standards issues have prevented this, with mobile download according to OMA (Open Mobile Alliance) standards anticipated only in 2005. Siemens, using SDC’s Java DRM technology, has now made the integrated mobile music phone a reality today. The mid-range Symbian phone is available from O2 Germany now, priced €149.95. O2 is expected to launch the device in the UK and Ireland by August 2004.

    The Siemens SX1 Music has been developed as a multi media phone with special features for mobile music download, and is the first device ever to integrate SDC’s Java DRM package into the handset. The handset has a pre-installed music player with all the functionality needed for full-length music download, which will provide consumers with an “out-of-the-box” experience.

    The handset was jointly developed by SDC and Siemens and is easy to navigate, with a unique keypad arrangement enabling a large 65K colour high-resolution. In addition to the music player, the SX1 also hosts a stereo plug for a pair of headphones, which results in high music quality.

    With the launch of the SX1 handset, O2 Germany customers can now progressively download their choice of track directly to their handset, storing about 120 songs at any time on the SX1’s replaceable 128 MB memory board (expandable up to 1GB). Users can also transfer their tracks to a PC. SDC’s DRM technology protects the license of each individual track, avoiding any need for duplicate payment.

    The new device marks the first delivery from O2’s Active Music Download roadmap, announced at CeBIT 2004 in Germany. SDC’s Java DRM is powering the evolution of the entire roadmap in Germany, the UK and Ireland, protecting the rights of both customers and the music labels throughout the download process.

     “With the SX1 Music, O2, Siemens and SDC are demonstrating the first evolution of the future mobile music business,” said Michael Bornhäusser, CEO of SDC. “Our technology has essentially removed the technical constraints for mobile music handset development, making this ‘holy grail’ a reality. SDC is planning, alongside varied customers and partners, to launch more than 10 GPRS mobile music phones, and the first 3G mobile music device, within the next 4 months. This is a major step forwards for mobile music delivery – we’re delighted to have been able to help O2 and Siemens deliver mobile music to their customers today.”

    Java DRM is the only mobile DRM solution currently on the market to receive the endorsement of major content players including BMG, EMI, Warner Music, Sony Music and Universal. SDC’s unique, Java-and Symbian based technology architecture means that no client installation for the DRM is required, facilitating simple, fully-fledged DRM security and easy upgradeability to any mobile or fixed device.

    External Links

    O2 Germany
    SDC