Today Microsoft announced publicly that we have entered into an exclusive negotiation agreement to acquire Musiwave, a provider of mobile music entertainment services to mobile operators and media companies from Openwave Systems Inc. Musiwave has partnerships with music labels, device makers, mobile operators and provides white label music solutions to mobile operators in Europe such as Orange, T-Mobile and Vodaphone. 

With this acquisition, Microsoft hopes to  complement its Connected Entertainment  technologies and services like Zune, Windows Mobile, MSN and Windows Live. Microsoft's Mobile Communications Business Sr VP Pieter Knook said  "Microsoft’s offer to acquire Musiwave opens up exciting new opportunities as we continue on our long term strategy of bringing connected entertainment to life. People want to have access to their music, video, games and information on a variety of devices whenever and however they choose. Mobile music is an important part of this vision, and a growth area for Microsoft"  

For me this announcement could not have come sooner - I have been patiently waiting for Microsoft to make some bolder steps in the mobile consumer space and this announcement is certainly a move in the right direction.