LAS VEGAS, Nev. — CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW (CES) - Jan. 8, 2009 — Heralding a new phase in unifying the consumer digital media experience, Gracenote and Omnifone today announced the first solution to provide easy integration of a consumer’s personal music collection with a unlimited music subscription service and seamless synchronization of both across a consumer’s personal devices – from mobile phones to desktop PCs, to home entertainment systems and in-car stereos. A demonstration at the 2009 Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas will show music fans how they can synchronize their existing music library with Omnifone’s award winning unlimited music service of over five million tracks using embedded Gracenote technology. The service works across multiple entertainment platforms instantly and effortlessly while optimizing the quality of the content without the worry about file formats or interoperability.
The combined technologies of Gracenote and Omnifone provide consumers with a personalized, holistic music experience delivering immediate and unlimited access to millions of music tracks, and the freedom to download, make playlists, get recommendations, play music wherever they are, whenever they want, on any device they choose. For example, users can create a comprehensive U2 playlist at home on their PC using a combination of their own collection and the unlimited music service, and start playing it in their living room. Then, get in their car, and have it pick up where they left off. Later, when they are at a club, they can search for music they are looking for, then download it and have it synched to all of their devices, and get recommendations for other music they might like based on genre or user generated recommendations. On each device, the most appropriate file format and user interface is presented to ensure the best possible user experience for that environment.
Synchronization of personal and service content with a unified consumer experience across all platforms is paramount to achieving the dramatic growth analysts project for music consumption over the next three years. Forrester’s December 2008 Jupiter Research forecast says U.S. digital music sales will grow by 17 percent per year on average over the next five years to make up 41 percent of sales by 2013, while Juniper Research predicts the success of unlimited music services on mobile platforms will significantly grow digital music revenues, with subscription-based unlimited digital music services overtaking “first generation” pay-per-track services and worth U.S. $3.3 billion by 2012.
“We understand that consumers want access to all music content, as well as a consistent digital media experience no matter where they are – on the go, at home, or in the car. What we are demonstrating is a next-generation music solution to the industry that addresses this consumer demand,” said Jim Hollingsworth, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Gracenote. “This is an example of the future digital entertainment experience, and exemplifies the direction that commerce, content and technology companies should be headed.”
“Omnifone’s partnership with Gracenote will make connected unlimited music services a reality in the living room, in the car, on mobile devices, and computers; everywhere we go our music collections, playlists, and recommendations will follow seamlessly, automatically and without wires. Historically, unlimited music service providers have focused on mobile and PC platforms, but consumers want access to music in the living room and the car, as much as the mobile and desktop computer,” said Rob Lewis, CEO of Omnifone. “This announcement means music lovers will soon have the freedom to access and consume unlimited music legally, across a wide range of device platforms, with the most appropriate user interface and file format for each device, synchronized automatically rather than having to side-load, back-up or rip compact discs.”
