London - European mobile network operator Orange has launched a three-month trial of its ad-supported mobile music service with 800,000 of its 15.6 million subscribers. The service will allow users to download a selection of 500 tracks for free, for half or full price. The company is working with mobile ad firm ScreenTonic, and has signed on sponsors for the trial that include Paramount Pictures and Ford.

Redmond, Wash. - Microsoft announced on Thursday that it will acquire ScreenTonic, a Paris-based provider of mobile advertising technology. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.