Today

Apple and Motorola have unveiled the world's first mobile phone with iTunes.

The phone, dubbed ROKR, will enable music lovers to transfer up to 100 songs from the iTunes jukebox on their Mac or PC to their mobile phone.

It is based on iPod's pioneering and widely-used shuffle feature, which randomly selects songs from the user's music library or playlists.

Chief executive Steve Jobs introduced the new device at a special music event in San Francisco.

Jobs also introduced version 5 of the iTunes music software which includes support for playlists in nested folders, as well as the pencil-thin iPod nano, its replacement for the iPod mini.

The Motorola ROKR will first be available on the network of US mobile operator Cingular.

Motorola claims it will offer easy-to-use menus, simple navigation and playback, and the ability to simply switch from listening to music to talking on the phone and back again with the push of a dedicated music key.

"The Motorola ROKR represents the ultimate convergence of mobile communications and music," said Ed Zander, chairman and chief executive of Motorola.

"Fusing iTunes with your always-with-you mobile phone, we're revolutionizing the way the world experiences mobile self-expression and entertainment."

Eddy Cue, vice president of iTunes, added: "We've worked closely with Motorola to deliver the world's best music experience on a mobile phone.

"We're also thrilled to be working with some of the largest wireless carriers in the world to bring this pioneering phone to market."

The Motorola ROKR features a color display for viewing album art, dual built-in stereo speakers and stereo headphones that also serve as a mobile headset with microphone.

Music fans can randomly autofill or manually fill the mobile phone with playlists of their favorite music, audiobooks and Podcasts from their iTunes library via a USB connection.

The phone pauses music automatically when users take a call and offers the ability to listen to music while checking messages or snapping a photo.

The new Motorola ROKR is available in the following markets:

• US - today, exclusively with Cingular.
• UK - available first with Carphone Warehouse, expected in mid-September and then with O2, followed by Orange, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile and other top retailers through September and October
• France - expected to be available by late September through key retailers
• Italy - expected to be available by late September through key retailers
• Germany - expected to be available through distributor and operator channels in 2H 05
• Canada - expected to be available in mid- to late-September with Rogers Wireless
• Hong Kong - expected to be available by late September through multiple retail outlets and operator channels
• Australia, Singapore and the Philippines – expected to be available late September through early October through retail and operator channels
• Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and other markets throughout the world – expected to be available in the fourth quarter