Microsoft has announced yet another version of its DRM technology, this time for mobile phone handsets and operators titled as PlayReady.  This DRM technology supports pay-per-view, download and subscription content and can be used to protect WMA, AAC, AAC+, HE-AAC, WMV and H.264 content.  Microsoft is working with several mobile operators, including Verizon Wireless and Cingular Wireless to help deliver multimedia content to their subscribers.

Microsoft's PlayReady technology is backwards compatible with Windows Media DRM 10, which means PlayReady capable devices will be able to play Windows Media DRM 10 protected content, such as content from Windows Media based online music services.  Microsoft mentioned PlayReady will be available for handset and device implementation from the first half of 2007.

While PlayReady devices may support the playback of WM DRM 10 content, this is unlikely going to be the case the other way around.  For example, if a consumer purchases music on the PlayReady handset, they will unlikely be able to transfer their music to a PlaysForSure DRM device, never mind Microsoft's Zune player!  Also, let's not forget that there has already been a DRM system widely used by over 550 mobile phone models called OMA DRM.