Microsoft Unveils PlayReady

Microsoft Corp. has unveiled its PlayReady product, new digital rights management (DRM) technology.

Supporting multiple content types and flexible rights, Microsoft PlayReady gives service providers and manufacturers a single platform to manage digital media on wireless devices.

PlayReady technology enables subscription, rental, pay-per-view, preview and distribution, which can be applied to a range of digital content types and audio and video formats, Microsoft said. Content types supported include music, video, games, ring tones and images.

The platform supports the Windows Media audio and AAC/AAC+/HE-AAC audio formats and the Windows Media Video and H.264 video formats.

Several service providers, including Telefónica, O2, Verizon Wireless, Bouygues Telecom and Cingular Wireless (now AT&T), have indicated plans to implement the technology, Microsoft said.

Microsoft is demonstrating PlayReady for the first time at the 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. PlayReady will be available in the first half of 2007 for handset and device implementation, Microsoft said.

Microsoft Corp. www.microsoft.com