Motorola closes film download service

Motorola has confirmed it has closed the film download service it launched with Paramount Pictures in June last year.

The news coincides with rival manufacturer Samsung’s announcement that it is to open its own film and TV download service.

Motorola’s service allowed users to download films to a PC and then sideload them to a Motorola device. At launch it offered 40 Paramount titles priced between £5.99 and £8.99. The initial contract for the partnership ended recently and was not renewed.

Samsung’s service will offer 1,000 programmes starting at £2.49.

A Motorola spokeswoman refused to comment on the closure except to say the company was “working on developing great products”.

Mobile News understands Motorola will put a greater emphasis on hardware developments this year, including creating an Android-based device which will have access to all Android applications including video sharing.