LAS VEGAS-Motorola Inc. announced it will use a streaming video player from RealNetworks Inc. in upcoming mobile phones, including new phones using its Linux/Java operating system.
The move is notable on several levels. First, it marks Motorola’s plans to support streaming video, a technology that is rapidly gaining interest in the mobile industry. Second, it marks yet another win for streaming video company RealNetworks, which also has major deals with worldwide carrier Vodafone and No. 1 handset maker Nokia Corp.
Indeed, RealNetworks’ Ian Freed offered his views on the wireless industry in a keynote presentation during the CTIA Wireless I.T. show here. Freed said RealNetworks’ recently announced Java application with Sprint PCS is doing better than expected, and RealNetworks sees significant growth potential in the wireless industry.
“We do see the potential for wireless to be much more lucrative than our PC business,” he said.
With the new Motorola deal, the potential for streaming video steps further ahead. It also places RealNetworks in the lead ahead of players like Emblaze and others. Motorola said it will incorporate the RealOne player into its mobile phones, starting with its Linux/Java phones, and the first such devices will be available in the first half of next year.
“Motorola is committed to delivering the most innovative, feature-rich mobile experiences in the world and RealNetworks’ multimedia products and services are a great complement to allow us to deliver those experiences,” said Ruchi Mangalik, senior director of software portfolio for Motorola’s handset business.
Motorola also announced it is combining the third-generation offerings of its A920 handset with PacketVideo’s mobile media technologies, in an effort to conduct real-time video calls and capture, receive and display streamed or downloaded video, multimedia messages and music.
Motorola supports the next generation of Java standards for mobile phones, including Mobile Information Device Profile (MIDP 2.0) JSR118, The Wireless Messaging API (WMA 1.0) JSR 120 and the Multimedia API JSR 135.
“Our leadership in Java technology has been solidified over the past few years, as we were the first company to introduce Java-enabled handsets in 2001 and now ship this software in millions of our mobile devices,” said Mangalik. “By achieving certification for MIDP 2.0, we are continuing to support Java technology as a leading force in delivering high-quality compelling wireless services and applications, which complements new alliances with RealNetworks and PacketVideo, enabling Motorola to deliver a wide variety of dynamic multimedia entertainment solutions to the masses.”
