Motorola has struck a deal with Apple that will allow owners of its next generation of mobile phones to transfer music to their handsets.

Users will be able to transfer songs from the iTunes jukebox on the PC or Mac, including music from Apple's iTunes Music Store, via a USB or Bluetooth connection.

Apple will create a new iTunes mobile music player, which Motorola will make the standard music application on the new phones, which are scheduled for release in the first half of next year.

Motorola chairman and chief executive Ed Zander said in a statement: "We can't think of a more natural partnership than this one with Apple, the brand synonymous with easy-to-use, legal music downloading, and Motorola, the innovator in mobile technology.

"Being able to transfer songs you've purchased from iTunes to Motorola mobile handsets expands the market reach for both of us and drives new revenue for customers, delivering an amazing music experience to millions of wireless users."

Apple chief executive Steve Jobs added: "The mobile phone market - with 1.5 billion subscribers expected worldwide by the end of 2004 - is a phenomenal opportunity to get iTunes in the hands of even more music lovers around the world, and we think Motorola is the ideal partner to kick this off."