Microsoft buys Musiwave for $46m

Perhaps feeling the pressure of Google’s advance into the mobile space, Microsoft spent $46m on the acquisition of mobile music firm Musiwave on Thursday.

The Redmond Giant bought the entertainment unit off mobile software and applications developer Openwave Systems.

“Musiwave’s strong customer relationships, superior quality of services, and leadership position in mobile music were attractive to Microsoft and contributed to the ultimate purchase price,” said Robert Vrij, president, CEO and interim chairman of Openwave. “As we committed to our investors, the divestiture of Musiwave was an important component of the plan developed by the Openwave board and management team to focus on driving market leadership in the core assets of our business, including service management, messaging, client and location.”

Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft, said, “With the acquisition of Musiwave, we are deepening our position in the mobile entertainment market with an innovative provider to help broadly deliver a breadth of music software and services.”