Omniphone's pre-licensed MusicStation Max launches on LG

The mobile music marketplace is seriously hotting up. Apple, clearly now just after bit-player status, have surrendered the mobile music territory to the mass device manufacturers. Omniphone‘s way to domination is now clear.

Today Omniphone announced that they’ve launched their MusicStation Max unlimited mobile music handset programme. The key difference with ‘Max’ is that handsets are pre-licensed. That is, if you buy a handset, it’s already got 18-month’s worth of MusicStation license paid up front.

The first partner is LG. Their MusicStation Max handsets are due out in the first half of this year — so, when you buy a MusicStation Max handset, you automatically get MusicStation (irrespective of what your operator thinks about this) and you just need a decent data plan to work with it. No 2 pounds per week fees (like you pay with Vodafone’s offering).

MusicStation is obviously pre-installed on the handset and, I imagine, it’ll be integrated directly with the handset features.

But wait, there’s more! More Apple-killer news. MusicStation Max ALSO includes a full PC companion product that gives users an automatically synchronised experience across desktop and handset. Changes in tracks, artists, albums, playlists, friends and recommendations are automatically synchronised, without the need for wires or human intervention. FINALLY a service to rival the ease of use of Apple, iTunes (and iPhone).

A full back-up of your MusicStation Max ‘account’ is stored in real time on the data network, obviously — just in case you lose your handset. Fascinating.

I can’t wait to check out the service. This is a huge step forward for mobile music.