Business Editors/High-Tech Writers
HAMAMATSU CITY, Japan, LOS ANGELES and BEDMINSTER, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 2003--
Relationship Combines Yamaha's Audio Technology with Moviso's
Mobile Application Development to Put High Quality Content in
Front of Millions of Get It Now(SM) Subscribers
Yamaha Corp., the world's largest manufacturer of musical instruments, Moviso LLC, the leading provider of mobile data products and services in North America, and Verizon Wireless, today announced a new polyphonic ringtone service for Verizon Wireless' Get It Now(SM) subscribers. The new "Yamaha Ringtones" application is available today on select Motorola, LG, Audiovox and Kyocera handsets. The agreement with Moviso and Verizon Wireless represents the first time Yamaha has offered a high quality ringtone download service in the US.
For Yamaha, Moviso created the Yamaha Ringtones application from the ground up, and secured distribution through its relationship with Verizon Wireless. Yamaha selected Moviso because of its expertise in building mobile applications, relationship with the top wireless carrier in North America, and insight into the US wireless data services market.
"Yamaha recognizes the opportunity in offering polyphonic content to the US, as over 137 million customers are using wireless data services," said Keiji Taniguchi, general manager of Digital Contents Business Division of Yamaha."A partnership with Moviso allows us to create and distribute the highest quality audio ringtones and we expect the service to be extremely well received."
"Yamaha entrusted Moviso to develop its first polyphonic ringtone application and distribute it to a large audience of wireless subscribers," said Shawn Conahan, president of Moviso. "Yamaha's premium audio technology is recognized worldwide, and now Verizon Wireless customers will experience the highest quality available in mobile applications."
Yamaha Ringtones on Verizon Wireless Get It Now
Yamaha currently provides polyphonic ringtones to the Asia and Europe markets, and expands to the US with a broad range of content such as chart hits, jazz and classical arrangements, and original club music.
Through Verizon Wireless' Get It Now, customers can download Yamaha Ringtones, choose songs, play demos and make purchases directly from their wireless phone. Customers can further personalize their phones by assigning unique ringtones to different incoming callers.
"We have seen increasing demand for personalization of wireless phones, and this relationship with Yamaha and Moviso enables us to continue to bring that exciting technology to our customers," said Jim Straight, president of wireless data and Internet services for Verizon Wireless. "Once again Verizon Wireless is presenting an innovative application to its customers that will change the way people think about their wireless phones."
Pricing, Availability and Compatibility
The Yamaha ringtones service will be available to Verizon Wireless customers with Get It Now-enabled phones. They can browse the complete Yamaha Ringtones catalog on their phone or online at http://vz-usa.yamaha-ringtone.com. For most phones, to purchase one song is $1.99 or six songs $6.99 plus airtime. (FREEUP) prepay customers pay just $1.99 for one song, $8.99 for five songs or $10.99 for ten songs plus airtime. Pricing for the Kyocera 3035e is $1.25 for one song or $4.99 to download 5 ringtones, plus airtime.
Yamaha Ringtones are available on the full-color Motorola T720 and T720pp--for (FREEUP) prepay customers, the LG VX-10, the Audiovox 9500 and the Kyocera 3035e. Verizon Wireless customers can purchase a Get It Now-enabled phone at any one of 1,300 Communications Stores, at participating RadioShack stores and online at www.verizonwireless.com.
About Yamaha
Yamaha Corporation in Japan is the world's largest manufacturer of a full line of musical instruments, and a leading producer of audio/visual products, semiconductors and other computer related products, sporting goods, home appliances and furniture, specialty metals, machine tools, and industrial robots. Yamaha owns 44 subsidiaries and representative offices in overseas markets in addition to numerous related companies in Japan. For more information on Yamaha, visit http://www.global.yamaha.com/.
About Moviso LLC
Moviso LLC is the leading provider of mobile data products and services in North America. Moviso is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vivendi Universal Net USA - the U.S. arm of VUNet, Vivendi Universal's (NYSE: V) Paris-based Internet and technology unit. The company delivers complete mobile data solutions to wireless carriers, device manufacturers, retailers and entertainment companies worldwide, including American Greetings, AT&T Wireless, Bell Mobility, Cingular Wireless, Rogers/AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon Wireless, US Cellular, Virgin Mobile USA, Yahoo! Music, AOL, PRIMEDIA, YM Magazine, Boost Mobile, 7-Eleven, Best Buy, RadioShack, Wherehouse, Wal-Mart, Sony Ericsson, Nokia USA, Motorola, Yamaha Corp., Match.com, WildSeed, and Vivendi Universal. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles. For more information on Moviso, visit http://www.moviso.com.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless is the nation's leading provider of wireless communications. The company has the largest nationwide wireless voice and data network and 33.3 million customers. Headquartered in Bedminster, NJ, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). Find more information on the Web at www.verizonwireless.com.
About Get It Now
Get It Now service from Verizon Wireless expands a wireless phone into an entertainment device that can also increase personal productivity. Customers with Get It Now-capable phones can download applications over the air and purchase them from their phones. Get Games and Get Fun keep customers entertained, while Get Going applications, made for today's mobile lifestyle, offers restaurant location services with maps, directions and more. View and share digital photos with Get Pix or identify incoming callers by assigning a unique ring with Get Tones. A variety of license-pricing options from a free demonstration to single use to monthly subscriptions are available.
The names of companies mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners. Moviso is a trademarks of Moviso LLC and should be treated as such.
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