Sony Ericsson announced that it has signed deals with 10 music labels to add content to its PlayNow mobile music download service. Sony Ericsson said the deals have added 5 million new tracks to its catalog.
The handset maker said it has signed deals with Sony BMG, Warner Music Group, EMI, The Orchard, IODA, The PocketGroup, Hungama, X5Music, Bonnier Amigo and VidZone.
The company launched the PlayNow service in early 2004 as a way to listen to and purchase ringtones, since then the service has expanded to include full music tracks, games and other features. Sony Ericsson said PlayNow is available in 32 countries.
In more company news, a report in Taiwan-based newspaper DigiTimes said that the handset maker has made deals with third-party manufacturers to build four new entry-level handsets. The report said that Taiwan-based Arima will manufacture Sony Ericsson’s T270, T280 and the R300 Radio handsets, and that Chi Mei Communication Systems (CMCS) will manufacture the R306 Radio handset.
