KDDI and Sony Introduce the Freedom of Music with 'au x Sony MUSIC PROJECT'

JCN Newswires, Oct 19, 2007

Tokyo, Japan, Oct 19, 2007 - (JCN Newswire) - KDDI Corporation and Sony Corporation are pleased to announce the 'au x Sony MUSIC PROJECT,' a new service which combines au's 'LISMO' (Listen Mobile Service) music service with Sony Walkman and 'NETJUKE' HDD stereo system compatibility. 'au x Sony MUSIC PROJECT' is conceived to create an environment where music can be enjoyed freely across the spectrum of mobile phone, PC, and audio equipment.

With the dramatic growth of the popular au 'Chaku-uta Full' music service, 'Chaku-uta Full' files for listening on mobile phones now account for over half of Japan's music download market. Broadband too is becoming increasingly more widespread, and in addition to music download services for PC, the downloading of music directly to HDD audio equipment without using a PC is becoming popular.

However, mobile phones and audio equipment have so far been separate environments for music; for example, music obtained via mobile phone cannot be played on a home audio system or Walkman. Consequently, users have been unable to choose freely which device to play their music on.

Accordingly, KDDI and Sony aim to achieve an environment where music can be enjoyed more freely, across the categories of mobile phone, PC, and audio equipment, by utilizing music flexibly from various sources, such as mobile downloads, network downloads, and CDs.

* 'WALKMAN', the 'Walkma' logo, and 'NETJUKE' are registered trademarks of the Sony Corporation.

* 'Chaku-uta' and 'Chaku-uta Full' are registered trademarks of Sony Music Entertainment.

* All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About KDDI Corporation

KDDI (TSE: 9433; US: KDDIF) is the only Japanese information and communication company that comprehensively provides all communications service, from fixed to mobile. KDDI is aggressively working towards realization of the coming Ubiquitous Network Society through its ability to develop leading-edge fixed and mobile communications networks and services to support them and through the ability to carry out technical R&D at a level unsurpassed anywhere. The 73 KDDI group companies have more than 8,300 staff and turnover of 3,335 billion yen through March 2007. For more information, please visit http://www.kddi.com

Source: KDDI Corporation

Contact:

Melou Antonette Fujii
Japan Corporate News KK,
for KDDI Corporation
Email: info@japancorp.net

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