We missed this PR yesterday from PacketVideo announcing their “collaboration with NTT DoCoMo to enable advanced mobile music services for the Japanese market using Microsoft Windows Media technology. The collaboration has resulted in the first-ever support of Windows Media Audio protected by DRM in NTT DoCoMo’s 3G FOMA handsets, powered by PacketVideo’s Universal pvPlayer media player. PacketVideo has long supported Windows Media in US mobile service launches and has provided i-motion player capabilities for more than 20 of NTT DoCoMo’s FOMA handsets.

According to this Press Release:

The first product as a result of this collaboration is the F902iS handset from Fujitsu, which will be available shortly. The F902iS features PacketVideo’s revolutionary new Universal pvPlayer technology that enables multiple file formats to be played by a single multimedia client solution. With PacketVideo Universal pvPlayer, the F902iS can play 3GPP (MP4), i-Motion (MMP4) and Windows Media content, using Windows Media Audio and Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10 for portable devices. The phone also supports Microsoft’s Media Transfer Protocol (MTP) for Phone-PC music file transferring. The F902iS is the 14th FOMA handset from Fujitsu that incorporates the advanced media player from PacketVideo – its Universal pvPlayer software – that enables multiple media formats, file formats, and digital rights management systems to co-exist and play on a single multimedia client solution.

Related posts:

1. DoCoMo Aquires PacketVideo
2. NTT DoCoMo finally needs Microsoft
3. DoCoMo Takes Position in PacketVideo
4. DoCoMo Quadruple Play Includes Windows DRM, HSDPA, 7 New Credit-Card Phones
5. Number Portability – DoCoMo Relying on Napster Japan

Some sage advise when entering new turf; Stop, Look and Listen.. it’s also good to secure a local guide. Japan is the cradle of mobile civilization – we have been dedicated to this space since 2001 – trust our archives here offer some useful material.

Domestic activities continue to set the pace, and sharp players are looking at global markets. We have hard-earned industry expertise and trusted network of contacts with access to advanced intell. and potential deal flow. Need a lift.. Ok, buckle-up!