ID Interactive Announces New Customizable Ringtone Solutions Using mBlox
ID Interactive is giving music fans the ability to legally customize any song from any participating artist into a ringtone, using the new patent-pending UrTone© media delivery platform. This unique content will be delivered to mobile phones via the world’s largest mobile transaction network operated by mBlox.
UrTone is supported by recording companies Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group for being the first commercial offer that provides accurate tracking and billing ensuring the compensation for digital rights with personalized ringtones.
Linkin Park, one of this century’s bestselling bands with over 30 million albums sold worldwide, is unveiling the UrTone platform on the anticipated release of the “Minutes to Midnight” album due out May 15 from Warner Brothers. The UrTone application will be embedded in the upcoming album, and also available through the band’s official Web site and MySpace page. The UrTone platform provides an unprecedented user experience, with unrestricted access to create ringtones from any part of any track, from any participating artist.
Previously, the legal purchase of ringtones was limited to pre-cut samples from a select few songs. Through their mobile transaction network, mBlox is enabling secure delivery of content and accurate billing through mobile carriers, providing record labels with a way to track and monetize sales. The Yankee Group has recently estimated the global ringtone market to be more than $17 billion USD/€23 billion in 2007.
“ID Interactive’s UrTone platform provides a ringtone solution that fans, artists and record labels can all support,” said Jeff Clark, chief executive officer of mBlox.
“UrTone has cracked the digital rights management (DRM) challenge and mBlox is proud to deliver the next generation of media to mobile phones throughout the U.S. and Europe.”
“mBlox’s relationships with the global carriers make it possible for ID Interactive to offer new and exciting content to mobile users around the world,” said Bobby Israeli, VP Sales and Marketing at ID Interactive. “The delivery and billing structure that mBlox provides is a key step that allows UrTone to operate with the blessing of record labels.”
ID Interactive was recently honored with the Red Herring Award in Europe for outstanding privately held technology companies. Together mBlox and ID Interactive are raising the bar in the ringtone marketplace with the first mobile media delivery platform that addresses DRM while still providing users with customized content.
