Days before the unveiling of Apple’s new 3G iPhone – expected Monday – Microsoft has announced its intention to focus on improving music in future versions of its Windows Mobile software, reports Reuters. “One thing that Apple has leveraged on is the music scenario, and I think that that is something the operators and ourselves are partnering on, just to make sure that consumers can use live music in the best way,” Andy Lees, senior vice president of Microsoft’s Mobile Communications Business, told the news agency. Lees added that music in mobile phones is a huge business opportunity. In first-quarter 2008, Microsoft shipped 4.3 million units of its Windows Mobile software, up 1.9 million units from the year-ago quarter. In comparison, Apple sold a total of 1.7 million iPhones in the same period, according to research firm IDC. IDC also forecasts that sales of Windows Mobile smartphones to consumers will double that of the iPhone in the next four years. Last month Microsoft predicted that global unit sales of its Windows Mobile software will grow at least 50 percent annually in the next two years.

In separate mobile music news, Sony Ericsson and Warner Music International are partnering to bundle Madonna’s latest album, ‘Hard Candy,’ on handsets in 27 countries. Starting this month, the bundles will come in two versions – one with five tracks from the album, another with the full release plus extra wallpapers and ringtones. Samsung has already struck a deal to pre-bundle the album on its F400 model. Vodafone previously secured an exclusive on the Madonna album but staggered track releases by the week.