(Associated Press via NewsEdge) Motorola CEO Ed Zander rode onto the stage at the International Consumer Electronics Show astride a yellow bicycle, joking that he pedaled all the way from Chicago because his company was on 'expense controls.'
It wasn't the first poke Zander would make about the wireless equipment maker's ailing fortunes, even as he opened this year's major technology show by introducing several new products and services that Motorola hopes will boost sales.
The company recently warned of disappointing sales and earnings from the key holiday selling season, causing investors to dump their Motorola stock and industry experts to use phrases like 'tired product' to describe the blockbuster Razr line of cell phones.
Zander referenced analyst concerns by announcing the company's latest phone, then lugging a 20-year old mobile handset the size of a brick to his ear.
Zander then introduced a real new phone model, the Motorizer, that would use Microsoft's Windows Media software to transfer music purchased from more than 200 Web-based stores worldwide to the handset. The phone will become available the first half of this year, the company said.
Motorola also announced a partnership with Warner Music to sell Motorizer phones pre-loaded with music, as well as sell ringtones, wallpaper and videos.
Zander also demonstrated a wireless stereo headset that will play music streamed from the phone using Bluetooth. Controls on the headset, which can work up to 30 feet away from the phone, can also pause songs to take or make calls.
Motorola also said it was one of several companies working with Yahoo Inc. to incorporate a new mobile application, Yahoo Go, into its handsets. The software delivers search, photos, local information, email and other Yahoo services.
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