Apple and Motorola take iTunes mobile

"We can’t think of a more natural partnership than this one with Apple, the brand synonymous with easy-to-use, legal music downloading, and Motorola, the innovator in mobile technology," said Ed Zander, Chairman and CEO, Motorola. "Being able to transfer songs you’ve purchased from iTunes to Motorola mobile handsets expands the market reach for both of us and drives new revenue for customers, delivering an amazing music experience to millions of wireless users."

"We are thrilled to be working with Motorola to enable millions of music lovers to transfer any of their favorite songs from iTunes on their PC or Mac to Motorola’s next-generation mobile phones," said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. "The mobile phone market—with 1.5 billion subscribers expected worldwide by the end of 2004—is a phenomenal opportunity to get iTunes in the hands of even more music lovers around the world and we think Motorola is the ideal partner to kick this off."

Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in wireless, broadband and automotive communications technologies that help make life smarter, safer, simpler, synchronized and fun. Sales in 2003 were US $27.1 billion. Motorola creates innovative technological solutions that benefit people at home, at work and on the move. The company also is a progressive corporate citizen dedicated to operating ethically, protecting the environment and supporting the communities in which it does business. 

According to Forbes, "the deal was announced in the Chicago suburb of Rosemont on Monday night by Motorola Chief Executive Edward Zander on the eve of the company's annual meeting with financial analysts. Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, appeared by a video conference link. They had finalized the deal only hours before the announcement....Although iTunes will be the default jukebox on future Motorola phones, the deal is not an exclusive partnership."