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My son is in his first year attending University. His first few weeks purchases were for filling in what he NEEDED.....now it is WANT purchases. He already is set with a Treo!
Per RP Correct price is $129.00 eom
LOL same thing happened to me. Anyone know the language?eom
SONICblue Introduces Rio S50 and S35S Sport Portable Digital Music Players
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2002--
Completing Rio's Radical New Line of Sport and Flash Players, the S50 and S35S Offer Users Powerful Memory, Features, Easy-to-Use Rio Music Manager Software and Long Battery Life
SONICblue(TM) Incorporated (Nasdaq:SBLU), makers of the number one best-selling brand of portable MP3 players(1), today unveiled the latest players in Rio's new line of portable digital music players, the Rio(R) S50 and S35S sport player. Designed to be the ultimate portable digital music players, the S50 and S35S offer users memory, features, and unique designs unmatched in today's market.
The new Rio S50 is the ultimate digital music player. With 128 MB of built in memory, the S50 gives users up to four hours of continuous music listening. Plus, the S50's memory is upgradeable to 256 MB, giving users the ability to store even more of their favorite music. In addition to its sizeable memory, the Rio S50 comes loaded with useful features including a large backlit screen, a clock and stopwatch, an integrated FM tuner, a useful carrying case and an impressive battery life of up to 35-hours.
Designed to meet the needs of today's athlete, the S35S combines a sleek new design and a rugged, durable shell, with the memory and features of a powerful digital music player. Made to withstand the rigors of an extreme workout, the S35S lightweight design allows users to easily strap the player to their arm during workouts and its sturdy construction and rubberized shell makes the player strong and durable. The S35S features 128MB of built in memory giving users up to four hours of continuous music listening and is easily upgradeable to 256 MB. The S35S also contains a long list of features, including a large back lit screen, clock and stopwatch, integrated FM tuner, and an adjustable armband.
"With the addition of these impressive players to our already diverse product line, SONICblue is able to offer a player that meets the needs of all consumers," said Ed Brachocki, vice president of product marketing audio and video products, SONICblue. "The powerful memory, diverse feature set, and user friendly software of these new players will make the digital music experience better than ever for today's music enthusiasts."
Included with Rio's new line of players is the new Rio Music Manager software. This innovative and user friendly software delivers a simple and easy to navigate interface, making transferring of MP3 and WMA files from a PC to a Rio digital music player quicker and easier than ever. Rio Music Manager software also contains an advanced and easy to navigate database, allowing users to store all their music and easily sort by artist, album or genre. In addition, the Rio Music Manager software also allows users to name and create their own playlists and incorporates an ID3 tag editor to help update the titles on their playlists.
Both players support MP3 and WMA formats and, as with all of SONICblue's Rio flash memory players, the S50 and S35S are compatible with both PC and Mac(R) computers and ship with customized software for each platform.
Rio S50 Pricing, Availability and Features
The new Rio S50 player ($179.99 MSRP) will be available soon on SONICblue's eStore (www.sonicblue.com) and in retail outlets throughout North America. Key features of the Rio S50 include:
-- 128 MB of built in memory holds up to four hours of your
favorite music.
-- Upgradeable memory allows users to increase the memory to 256 MB simply by adding a standard MMC memory card.
-- Supports MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) giving users the freedom to choose the music quality and playtime that they desire.
-- Clock and stopwatch
-- Up to 35-Hour Battery Life on one AA alkaline battery. Or up to 20 hours with the included rechargeable battery.
-- No Moving Parts the S50 does not skip, making it perfect for the toughest workouts.
-- Integrated FM Tuner allows users to tune into their favorite FM radio stations.
-- Large, Backlit Display gives a clear display of your music and the player's many options.
-- Carrying Case allows users to view the LCD and access all of the player controls. The carry case also features a belt clip.
-- Adjustable EQ, repeat and shuffle play modes delivers all the features you expect in a top of the line portable music player.
-- Rio Music Manager software makes transferring files to the Rio S50 easier than ever.
-- Bundled RealOne(R) Player and iTunes(TM) music management software ensures that your S50 is PC and Mac(R) compatible out of the box.
-- Software Upgrades allow users to download software upgrades to support future digital audio formats and keep your Rio S50 up to date.
Rio S35S Pricing, Availability and Features
The new Rio S35S player ($199.99 MSRP) will be available soon on SONICblue's eStore (www.sonicblue.com) and in retail outlets throughout North America. Key features of the Rio S35S include:
-- 128 MB of built in memory holds up to four hours of your
favorite music.
-- Upgradeable memory allows users to increase the memory to 256 MB simply by adding a standard MMC memory card.
-- Supports MP3 and Windows Media (WMA) giving users the freedom to choose the music quality and playtime that they desire.
-- Clock and stopwatch allows users to time their workouts.
-- Adjustable Armbands allow users to easily attach the S35S to their arm.
-- Up to 15-Hour Battery Life on one AAA alkaline battery.
-- No Moving Parts the S35S does not skip, making it perfect for the toughest workouts.
-- Integrated FM Tuner allows users to tune into their favorite FM radio stations.
-- Large, Backlit Display gives a clear display of your music and the player's many options.
-- Carrying Case allows users to view the LCD and access all of the player controls. The carry case also features a belt clip.
-- Adjustable EQ, repeat and shuffle play modes delivers all the features you expect in a top of the line portable music player.
-- Rio Music Manager software makes transferring files to the Rio S35S easier than ever.
-- Bundled RealOne(R) Player and iTunes(TM) music management software ensures that your S35S is PC and Mac(R) compatible out of the box.
-- Software Upgrades allow users to download software upgrades to support future digital audio formats and keep their Rio S35S up to date.
(1) Based on NPDTechworld (CHN917 & CHN915P) for unit volumes sold at US retail of mp3 enabled portable audio players (aggregate of flash, hard disk driver and CD units) for Rio and psa-play branded products in calendar years ended 2000 & 2001.
About SONICblue Incorporated
SONICblue is a leader in the converging Internet, digital media, entertainment and consumer electronics markets. Working with partners that include some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics, SONICblue creates and markets products that let consumers enjoy all the benefits of a digital home and connected lifestyle. SONICblue has significant global marketing capabilities and a focused technology portfolio that includes Rio(R) digital audio players; ReplayTV(R) personal television technology and software solutions; and Go-Video(R) Dual-Deck(TM) VCRs and integrated DVD+VCRs.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements regarding the expected availability of the Rio S35S and S50 on SONICblue's e-store and at retail, SONICblue's ability to meet the needs of all consumers via its digital audio player line, the S35S and S50's ability to make the digital music experience better than ever for today's music enthusiasts, the features, benefits and pricing of the Rio S35S and S50, and the ability of consumers to download software upgrades to support future digital audio formats and keep the Rio S35S and S50 up to date, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to the ability of the Company, its suppliers, retailers and distributors to meet scheduled release dates, retailers' product marketing decisions, the impact of competitive products and pricing and of alternative technological advances, the ability to obtain licenses to new technology and platforms on terms acceptable to SONICblue, and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of SONICblue Incorporated, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2001 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. SONICblue disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT:
SONICblue
Ross Purnell, 408/588-8859 (Press)
rpurnell@sonicblue.com
Ian Shea, 408/588-8242 (Investor)
ir@sonicblue.com
SOURCE: SONICblue
10/07/2002 08:11 EASTERN
Speakeasy Rocks Broadband Competition with iPod Giveaway to New Subscribers; Leading Broadband Service Provider Offers MP3 Player to New Business DSL or T-1 Customers
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 3, 2002--Speakeasy, the largest independent broadband service provider in North America, today announced it will give the super-hot iPod(TM) to every new subscriber who signs up for Speakeasy.net business DSL or T-1 services in October.
Retailing for $299, the sought-after iPod(TM) is the first MP3 player to pack 1000 songs and 10-hour battery life into a 6.5-ounce package that can be taken practically everywhere. The new model is now Macintosh and Windows compatible and features a wired remote.
"Customers come to Speakeasy for innovation and quality -- the same attributes that make the iPod such a great device. This promotion will bring `like minds' together and allow us to introduce new customers to our premier broadband services and to a device and passion that is such a natural extension of broadband usage," said Mike Apgar, CEO of Speakeasy. "Whether it's our top-rated customer service, specialty broadband packages or innovative promotions, we continue to blaze trails in a way no other provider can."
Speakeasy is fast becoming the broadband provider for discerning customers -- especially business-oriented subscribers. Speakeasy allows subscribers to run their own web servers with no port/protocol blocking, has a tremendous record of network reliability and is Linux, PC and Macintosh friendly. Speakeasy boasts the largest national broadband coverage area and its high-performance network has data centers connected to 11 Internet backbones which enables customers to enjoy extreme connection speed for email and web browsing.
Speakeasy's commitment to customers is legendary and its service is top ranked by DSL Reports, the industry's leading broadband reporting group. Speakeasy is currently rolling out a Direct Account Representative program, which assigns a technically skilled, dedicated rep to every business customer. "These are not sales managers," notes Apgar, "they are individuals trained in tech issues, billing and service enhancements and become the `dedicated caseworker' for their business clients. This is how we ensure that, for Speakeasy customers, one call addresses any issue."
Speakeasy service is available in most metropolitan areas within the 48 contiguous states. New customers interested in taking advantage of iPod promotion can get further details at www.speakeasy.net/ipod. Those who wish to see if Speakeasy service is available in their area can also go to www.speakeasy.net or call toll-free at 1-800-556-5829. Customer service agents are available 6:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Pacific Monday-Friday, and 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Pacific on Saturday.
About Speakeasy
Founded in 1994, Speakeasy is the largest privately held, national broadband service provider specializing in DSL. Fusing a high performance national network, award-winning customer service, superior Internet utility and content, and a wide range of pioneering value-added services, Speakeasy delivers a comprehensive online experience that redefines the broadband frontier for both businesses and consumers. For more information: www.speakeasy.net.
CONTACT:
Speakeasy
Aaron Burnett, 206/971-5180
aburnett@speakeasy.net
or
The Graves Group
Lynn Brackpool, 303/246-9001
lynn@ispology.com
SOURCE: Speakeasy
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL: http://www.businesswire.com
10/03/2002 13:02 EASTERN
Connection e.Digital/Davric/ASIT/PTSC/ATCO
If this has been posted....sorry
Davric Corporation
980 American Pacific Drive, #111
Henderson, NV 89014
AdaCom Number 702-737-6900
Local 712-734-1888
Fax 702-737-6900
Ask for Jerry E. Polis
Hours of Operation 9-5
Email ghynnko@aol.com
ASIT - ASI Technology Corp
ASI Technology Corp
980 American Pacific Drive
Suite 111
Henderson, NV 89014
US
Phone: 702-734-1888
Jerry E. Polis, President
SIC Number: 3829
Fiscal Year End: 12-31
Industry: Misc Electronic Technology
Transfer Agent: Transferonline.com, Inc.
CIK: 7951
Business Summary
CURRENT BUSINESS INFORMATION: ASI Technology Corporation is a development stage company, engaged in developing plasma technologies. The Company, with the goal to commercialize through licensing, owns two patented technologies: (1) Plasma Antenna Technology (2) Plasma Sound Reduction Technology.
Plasma Antenna Technology - When gas is electrically charged, or ionized, to a plasma state, it becomes conductive and allows radio frequency signals to be transmitted or received. The Company employs ionized gas, enclosed in a tube, as the conducting element of an antenna. When the gas is not ionized, the antenna element ceases to exist. The Company believes the plasma antenna offers numerous advantages, including stealth for military applications and higher digital performance in commercial applications.
Plasma Sound Reduction Technology - This technology employs techniques to modulate the plasma in jet engines to reduce noise emissions. Although the Company’s basic technology concept has been tested in laboratories, using hot plasma-type flames, the goal is to validate this technology on reduced-scale jet engines, in order to develop and license the technology for use in reducing the noise emissions of jet engines.
According to the Company, both plasma technologies are in the early stage of development; and, there can be no assurance that commercial viability will be achieved. Further development is necessary in order to verify and document the advantages and commercialize the technologies.
To aid in this development, the Company claims to have established working partnerships with General Dynamics (Bath Iron Works Corporation), University of Tennessee's Electrical Engineering and Plasma Physics Department, and Malibu Research, Inc.
HISTORICAL BUSINESS INFORMATION: The Company was incorporated on January 9, 1931 and has evolved through a number of name changes and equity reorganizations.
Prior to the acquisition of the plasma technology, ASI Technology Corporation had no significant assets or liabilities and was essentially inactive. During the period, from 1995 until 1999, the Company engaged only in collecting proceeds from prior asset sales, reducing debts and paying corporate costs.
In 1973, Jerry E. Polis was appointed President and director.
In 1997, the Company was issued a patent for the plasma antenna.
In August 1999, the Company signed a purchase agreement for the the plasma antenna technology with Patriot Scientific Corporation, an unaffiliated company, and agreed to pay to Patriot royalties equal to 5% of gross revenues actually received by the Company from the sale of products incorporating the technology or from the license or sublicense of the technology to third parties, up to a maximum of $250,000 in future royalties.
In August 1999, the Company obtained sponsored development from General Dynamics’ Electric Boat Corporation and the United States Government.
In August 2000, the Company, claiming sponsorship by General Dynamics’ Electric Boat Corporation, completed development of an inflatable plasma antenna prototype for satellite communications.
In September 2000, in connection with a capital reorganization, the Company changed its name from "ASI" to "ASI Technology Corporation".
In December 2000, the Company signed a purchase agreement with American Technology Corporation, an unaffiliated company, to acquire plasma sound reduction technology for jet engines.
In early 2001, the Company successfully completed the second phase to develop an advanced prototype of the plasma antenna.
In May 2001, the Company obtained a fixed fee government Phase I contract, from the U.S. Government's Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (“BMDO”), to fund further development of the plasma antenna technology. The contract was completed in November 2001.
In December 2001, the Company was granted a three-month interim contract continuation for $34,876 from BMDO.
The company claims to have been approved by BMDO for Phase II contract for up to $600,000 – expected to start in mid-2002 and subject to contract negotiations. However, there is no assurance that the Company will be successful in entering into a final contract.
In April 2002, the Company began listing shares on the OTC Bulletin Board.
Also in April 2002, the Company announced its receipt of $595,000 contract to further develop its patented plasma antenna technology to improve radar technology.
To perform this contract the Company has an alliance with Malibu Research Inc., a Calabasas, California company engaged in research, development and manufacturing of military antennas and related equipment.
In May 2002, the Company announced that it had received a $66,000 contract to study advanced plasma barriers and tunable shields to absorb or reflect radiation, with Phase I of the contract being sponsored by the Missile Defense Agency's Small Business Innovation Research Program and managed by the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, Alabama.
In August 2002, the Company announced that it had received a $99,000 Phase I contract under the Small Business Technology Transfer grant program of the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research.
MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS INFORMATION: The Company is focusing on the development and marketing strategy of the following major activities: (1) Establish and expand development strategic relationships. (2) Seek industry and military financial support. (3) Identify primary market opportunities. (4) Develop prototype antenna targeted at selected opportunities. (5) Identify prospective licensing partners.
The Company may encounter the opportunity to make certain non-conforming jet engines or aircraft become conforming to existing noise regulations, thereby increasing the value of older engines. The Company claims its goal is to prove and license the technology to either engine producers or others engaged in the business of servicing or providing technology for jet engines, not to produce or manufacture systems.
Due to larger companies having greater financial, research, and marketing resources, the Company may not be able to successfully compete in this market. For these reasons, the Company’s claims its strategy is to attempt to develop strategic relationships within the communications and radar industries; although, there can be no assurance that the Company will succeed in doing so.
Management
Name Title
James A Barnes BO
Jerry E Polis PR/DIR
Phil Carlino DIR
Eric M. Polis SEC/TR/DIR
Dawayne R. Jacobs DIR
Newport Pacific Ltd. BO
Share Data
Authorized
Date Shares Source
08/12/2002 10,000,000 10QSB
Outstanding
08/12/2002 3,412,522 10QSB
Based on the success of the number one selling portable jukebox, the Apple iPod, we strongly believe the company can record substantial revenue with these products.
If the marketplace is so slow, how was the Apple iPod such a success?????
RealNetworks Announces Gold Release of RealOne Player
Gold Enhancements Ship Just One Month After Beta Release of Universal Media Player
SEATTLE, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RealNetworks(R), Inc. (Nasdaq:RNWK), the global leader in digital media delivery, today announced product enhancements with the Gold release of RealOne(TM) Player v.2.0, the universal media player that plays Windows Media, QuickTime MPEG 4 and over 50 digital media types. RealOne Player v. 2.0 is the first consumer application of RealNetworks' universal platform Helix(TM) technology that serves everything and plays anything. The Gold release, indicating the final code-complete version of RealOne v.2.0 technology now includes the following improvements:
-- Enhanced CD burning support interface with improved status indicators
-- Improved burning speed
-- Integrated support for the new SonicBlue Rio S10 and S30S MP3 players
-- CD ripping defaulted to 192 Kbps MP3 for RealOne Player Plus users and RealOne SuperPass subscribers
-- Improved stability and performance
"This universal version of the RealOne Player is by far the best consumer technology experience that we have created to date," stated Rob Glaser, Chairman and CEO, RealNetworks, Inc. "With its multi-format media playback and improved performance and functionality, RealOne Player has revolutionized the way in which consumers are able to enjoy all digital media content."
Pricing and Availability
-- RealOne Player v. 2.0, which now includes TurboPlay(TM) -- a ground- breaking technology enabling near-instant playback of audio and video content for broadband PC users, full- screen Theater Mode, DVD playback support, complete MP3 support, full-speed CD-burning support and access to 1700 radio stations, is available today for free download at www.real.com and www.realone.com.
-- RealOne Player Plus v. 2.0, the premium version of RealOne Player, includes new universal playback allowing playback of Windows Media and QuickTime MPEG 4 as well as over 50 additional media types, advanced CD-burning options, enhanced toolbar playback mode, access to more than 3200 radio stations, additional audio/video controls and a host of features that offer the most compelling playback experience, enabling users to build and manage high quality music and video collections.
RealOne Player Plus is available for a one-time fee of $29.95 at www.real.com and www.realone.com.
The Foundation for RealOne Subscription Services
The premium, universal features of RealOne Player Plus v.2.0 form the foundation for the RealOne subscription services, which include: RealOne SuperPass, RealOne RadioPass and College Sports Pass.
-- RealOne SuperPass, the fastest growing Internet paid media subscription service in history with over 750,000 paid subscribers, offers consumers the best in brand-name digital programming -- sports, entertainment and news from ABCNEWS.com, CBS Big Brother 3, CNN, E! Networks, FOXSports.com, MLB.com and more. RealOne SuperPass provides live audio feeds of every Major League Baseball game; live audio and live leaderboard stats from NASCAR; three-minute on-the-hour video news
QuickCast updates from CNN; ABCNews' Nightline and World News Tonight indexed by story; exclusive outtakes from E! Networks' The Anna Nicole Show; and even FOXSports' Best D*mn Sports Show Period. RealOne
SuperPass is priced at $9.95 per month and available at www.realone.com
-- RealOne RadioPass is a premium radio subscription service that offers consumers high fidelity, near CD-quality 64 kbps radio feeds of 50 ad-free pre-programmed radio stations accessible by genre, as well as additional premium radio stations- like KPIG, which has now returned o the Internet airwaves, having gone silent due to CARP issues.
RealOne RadioPass is available at www.realone.com for the monthly subscription price of $5.95. RealOne SuperPass members will receive a 32kbps version of RealOne RadioPass and fewer stations, but may choose to upgrade their subscription for an additional $3.00 per month.
-- College Sports Pass is a college sports subscription service that brings exciting, multi-media content including live audio broadcasts of the best in college football, basketball, baseball and other sports from more than 50 top colleges and universities including: No. 1 Miami FL), nationally ranked Washington, Michigan State, Illinois, Arizona, Notre Dame and more.
College Sports Pass is available at www.realone.com and www.collegesports.com for just $6.95 month, or for an additional $4.00 per month for RealOne SuperPass members.
About RealNetworks
RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the global leader in Internet media delivery. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and other consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks consumer software on the Internet at http://www.real.com. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at http://www.realnetworks.com.
NOTE: RealNetworks, RealOne, RealPlayer, Real Jukebox, RealVideo, RealAudio, Helix, and TurboPlay are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. All other companies or products listed herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
MAKE YOUR OPINION COUNT - Click Here
http://tbutton.prnewswire.com/prn/11690X26426847
SOURCE RealNetworks, Inc.
CO: RealNetworks, Inc.
ST: Washington
SU: PDT
http://www.prnewswire.com
09/24/2002 00:01 EDT
Sentinel
At least Sonic Blue or Creative are not listed either......
moxa1
I case you missed it
http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=295551
moxa1
While I agree it does not compare with our products, it is however being sold NOW by a company that carries e.Digital, thus IS a competitor.
My question really was if anyone knew who this company was..is this unit just a branded model from another company, or is this the mfg? Are there any others like this being labeled worldwide?
Anyone research this 20GB jukebox sold at CompUSA yet? TIA
http://www.mambox.com/P350.htm
I bought my son a laptop to take to university. It uses Windows XP and has 4 USP 2.0, 1 Firewire, and 1 LAN ports/jacks.Works like a champ.
My new desktop computer has 5 USB 2.0 ports, 1 firewire and has Windows XP.
Microsoft to Preview Next Generation Rio Digital Music Player At Launch Event SONICblue Announces Rio Products Support Windows Media 9 Series
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 4, 2002--SONICblue(TM) Incorporated (Nasdaq:SBLU), makers of Rio(R), the #1 Best-Selling MP3 digital music players* today announced the compatibility of Rio(R) products with the recently launched Windows(R) Media 9 Series platform, including Windows Media Audio (WMA) 9. WMA 9 support will provide Rio users with increased ease of use as compared to earlier offerings and other formats. SONICblue's support for WMA 9 sets the stage for future enhancements and an improved user experience with the Rio digital music players.
"Rio's compatibility with WMA 9 delivers a major step forward in functionality and performance for our customers," said Gregory Ballard, interim CEO, SONICblue. "Rio's compatibility with the latest music platforms means that consumers can count on Rio to work with the technology of today -- and tomorrow."
Microsoft will use a forthcoming Rio digital music player during a demonstration of the new WMA 9 on stage at today's launch event. The Rio 600, Rio 800 and Rio 900 also support playback for WMA 9.
"WMA 9 offers highest quality in the smallest file sizes, and this means that consumers using SONICblue devices can take even more top-quality music with them on the go," said Jonathan Usher, director of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft Corp. "SONICblue is a leader in offering device innovations to its customers, and its customers can now enjoy a new breed of high-quality audio that will take the digital media experience to a whole new level."
Compatible Rio products will be displayed in the Partner Pavilion at the Microsoft Windows Media 9 Series Technical Summit, slated for Sept. 5-6, 2002 at the Hollywood & Highlands Entertainment Complex in Hollywood, Calif. For more information please visit www.sonicblue.com.
About SONICblue Incorporated
SONICblue is a leader in the converging Internet, digital media, entertainment and consumer electronics markets. Working with partners that include some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics, SONICblue creates and markets products that let consumers enjoy all the benefits of a digital home and connected lifestyle. SONICblue holds significant financial assets, global marketing capabilities and a focused technology portfolio that includes Rio(R) digital audio players; ReplayTV(R) personal television technology and software solutions; and Go-Video(R) integrated DVD+VCRs, Dual-Deck(TM) VCRs, and digital home theater systems.
*Based on NPDTechworld (CHN917 & CHN915P) for unit volumes sold at US retail of mp3 enabled portable audio players (aggregate of flash, hard disk driver and CD units) for Rio and psa-play branded products in calendar years ended 2000 & 2001.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including, but not limited to, the compatibility of forthcoming Rio players with WMA 9 and other formats, the features and improvements contained in the WMA 9 platform over earlier offerings, future enhancements to Rio digital music players, Rio working with the technology of tomorrow and the demonstration of Rio players at the WMA 9 launch event, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing and of alternative technological advances, product engineering and marketing decisions of SONICblue and others, changes to the WMA9 platform, limitations on SONICblue's ability to support new platforms and technology, the ability to obtain licenses to new technology and platforms on terms acceptable to SONICblue, decisions of Microsoft and other providers concerning their technology platforms, the availability of digital audio content and consumers' willingness to adopt new technologies such as digital media, and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of SONICblue Incorporated, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended Dec. 31, 2001 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2002. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. SONICblue disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
SONICblue and Dual-Deck are trademarks of SONICblue Incorporated. ReplayTV, Go-Video and Rio are registered trademarks of SONICblue Incorporated. All other products and brand names as they appear in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. All specifications may be changed without notice.
CONTACT:
SONICblue Incorporated
Amanda Sanyal, 408/588-8060 (Press)
asanyal@sonicblue.com
Ian Shea, 408/588-8242 (Investor)
ir@sonicblue.com
SOURCE: SONICblue Incorporated
Today's News On The Net - Business Wire's full file on the Internet with Hyperlinks to your home page. URL: http://www.businesswire.com
09/04/2002 21:02 EASTERN
iPod,Toshiba,Smaller Rio Competitive Article
Now that Apple's snazzy digital music player works with Windows, it could open new doors into consumer electronics. It won't be easy though
When Steve Jobs unveiled Apple Computer's digital music player, the iPod, in October, 2001, he predicted that the slick, metallic device -- the smallest of its kind on the market -- would be one of the hottest products that holiday season. Little did he know. Over the next few months, Apple sold about 120,000 iPods, priced at $399 each, and grabbed a 2.5% share of the U.S. market for digital music players, according to electronics consultancy NPD Techworld. Not bad for a company that until then had no presence in that business.
In the first six months of this year -- after Apple (AAPL ) cut the price and added features -- iPod's market share climbed to 7.1%, estimates NPD analyst Tom Edwards. With typical Apple humility, Stan Ng, iPod's product manager, declares that his baby is becoming "a cultural icon."
While that may be a bit of an overstatement, there's no denying that it's becoming more and more visible. Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly uses an iPod to pass time during filming breaks, according to the September issue of Vanity Fair. And don't be surprised if more people start using an iPod soon. The week of Aug. 26, Apple is rolling out an iPod for Windows-based PCs. Kevin Hunt, an analyst with Thomas Weisel Partners, estimates that iPod sales should jump 25% over the next two quarters.
BROADER STRATEGY. Have Apple and Microsoft suddenly become better friends? Not exactly. Apple sees the new iPod as a way to move the device beyond the $100 million niche of customers who download Net music on a Mac -- and into the broader consumer-electronics business. The operating margins on the iPod are "materially higher" than those Apple gets on its iMac computer, says Brett Miller, an analyst with A.G. Edwards, which could tempt Apple to introduce other higher-margin consumer digital devices. (Apple doesn't disclose its margins by product.)
With a successful iPod to bolster its standing, Apple might roll out, in the next 12 to 18 months, models that sync wirelessly with the computer, says Miller. Analysts say it could also introduce a cell phone with music-playing capabilities or an iPod for storing and displaying photos and music videos. Apple declined to comment on its plans.
That broader strategy could be hard to pull off, however. For one thing, the fickle consumer-electronics business changes at warp speed. Moreover, the industry behemoths aren't about to let Apple muscle in. For example, Toshiba just introduced a new player, the Mobilphile, which could eat away at Apple's market share, predicts Rob Enderle, an analyst with tech consultancy Giga Information Group.
UPGRADABLE EDGE. Mobilphile's most distinctive feature is its 5-gigabyte removable hard drive. While a music fan who wanted an iPod with more capacity would need to buy a new model, a Toshiba Mobilphile user could simply buy a more capacious hard drive and stick it into an old device. That capability could be a major plus for fans with huge music collections.
Retailers would appreciate such flexibility as well, says Enderle. Toshiba (which also makes hard drives for the iPod) could potentially ship its players and drives to stores separately. Merchants could swap in different hard drives based on demand, thus holding down inventory costs. Considering that retailers can make or break a product, that could offer Toshiba huge advantages in both store placement and availability.
True, Apple enjoys good relationships with retailers, too. But the Mobilphile -- which works only with Windows PCs -- is one of the first players on the market to surpass iPod's download speeds. Until recently, Apple's special FireWire data-transfer port allowed users to load songs from the computer and onto the player at speeds about 30 times faster than those of most other devices. That competitive advantage is gone now: Mobilephile transfers songs from computer to the player at 480 megabits per second, vs. iPod's 400 megabits.
"THE CORRECT NERVE." Also, only 10% to 15% of PCs sold come with FireWire. Thus, most buyers of Windows-compatible iPods will have to purchase a FireWire add-in card, which can cost up to $100. That -- and the lack of an upgradable hard drive -- erase much of iPod's price advantage over Mobilphile. A 5-gigabyte iPod sells for $299, while Mobilphile's suggested retail price is $499.
Already, "the response [to Mobilphile] has been incredible," claims Craig Eggeris, director of merchandising for DVD and digital products at Toshiba America Consumer Products in New Jersey. "We seem to have hit the correct nerve."
Not that Apple is worried. The Toshiba device is slightly larger than the iPod as well as more expensive. And the removable hard drive makes its less reliable, scoffs Apple's Ng. However, Toshiba's Eggeris counters that the Mobilphile is highly durable.
SMALLER DRIVES? Apple also has to worry about competition from SONICblue (SBLU ), which is likely to come out with new digital music players this fall, says David Huffman, the company's vice-president for audio products. Lips are sealed at the Santa Clara (Calif.), company, but industry insiders suspect that it might unveil a device that uses a much smaller hard drive -- the component that dictates a player's size. Both the iPod and Mobilephile use the smallest now available, a 1.8-inch model. Using a smaller drive would give SONICblue a big advantage.
Also, iPod's easy-to-use interface, which has been one of its main selling points, is being copied and in some cases improved upon, further eroding Apple's advantage. Some competitors' players already offer functions that iPod lacks, such as the ability to compile lists of most-requested songs or allow users to delete songs without having to hook up the device to the computer. "Though iPod is easy to use, it's still missing some things," says analyst Cindy Wolf at Cahners In-Stat.
Rivals are also aping Apple's simplified design. The iPod featured the industry's first scroll navigation wheel. Toshiba's Mobilphile boasts a four-arrow control, which is even simpler and more convenient to use, say experts. While very good, "iPod's interface is not that innovative," says Eric Bergman, senior interaction designer at Sun Microsystems and author of the book Information Appliances and Beyond. Thus, it's relatively easy to duplicate.
Apple contends that it can stay ahead of the competition. "We continue to innovate," says Ng. In response to consumer demand, the company has already added calendar and address book capabilities to the iPod. Photo and video viewing could be coming next, say some analysts.
CD PLUS MP3. Still, Apple has to beware of threats from all sides -- including the nonportable market. If the global economy continues to stagnate, the cheaper -- though not portable -- segments of the digital music-player market will enjoy the most success, says Susan Kevorkian, an analyst at tech consultancy IDC. After all, audio CD players that can also play MP3 files already sell for less than $100.
The market for portable players should nevertheless be healthy. Kevorkian estimates that unit sales of such devices will grow ninefold by 2006, from 1 million this year to 9 million then. And even if iPod hits a rough patch, Apple likely won't turn and run from the market, as it did back in 1998 when it discontinued its Newton personal digital assistant. "We'd love for everybody to own an iPod," says Ng. Only problem is, despite what the song says, love isn't all you need.
Telephone call from RP regarding Archos /DivX.
(from deBeer)
1. Archos product not certified for all DIVX formats. Limited applications and appeal.
2. Archos bought DIVX solution from third party.
3. Archos NOT co developer with DIVX like e.Digital is
4. e.Digital looking forward to getting DIVX certified players to market.
5. DIVX co marketing with e.Digital on products.
6. DIVX also involved in build up and branding of some products.
e.Digital buys online music site for 125,000 shares
E.DIGITAL CORPORATION
125,000 Shares of Common Stock
You should read this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus carefully before you invest. Both documents contain information you should consider when making your investment decision.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Pursuant to this prospectus supplement, we are offering 62,500 shares of our common stock to Bryan Jones and 62,500 shares of our common stock to Russell Chadwick (collectively, “Jones/Chadwick”) in connection with the purchase of certain tangible and intangible assets (collectively, the “Assets”) from Jones/Chadwick that we deem valuable with respect to our proposed digital multimedia website (the “Digital Multimedia Website”). The shares of common stock to be issued in consideration for the Assets have been deemed to have an aggregate purchase price of $50,000, with the purchase price per share equal to $0.40. The parties have agreed that fifty percent (50%) of the shares of common stock will be issued to Jones/Chadwick now, with the remainder to be issued within seven days of the launch of the Digital Multimedia Website
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Assets that are being acquired from Jones/Chadwick in consideration for the shares of common stock that we are issuing have been deemed to have a fair market value of $50,000. We plan to use the Assets for our Digital Multimedia Website.
MARKET FOR OUR COMMON STOCK
On August 5, 2002, the last reported sales price of our common shares on the National Association of Securities Dealers OTC Electronic Bulletin Board System was $.56 per share. Our common stock trades on the over-the-counter market on the National Association of Securities Dealers OTC Electronic Bulletin Board System under the symbol “EDIG.”
As of August 5, 2002 and before the issuance of shares pursuant to this prospectus supplement, we have 137,452,751 shares of common stock outstanding.
GENERAL
You should rely only on the information provided or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the prospectus. We have not authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus supplement is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of these documents.
SONICblue Rio Products Compatible With pressplay 2.0; Allows Portable Downloads To Rio MP3 Products
SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 2002--SONICblue(TM) Incorporated (Nasdaq:SBLU) today announced the compatibility of the Rio(R) 600, Rio 800, and Rio 900 with pressplay's enhanced music service, pressplay 2.0. Rio users will now be able to digitally download content directly from the pressplay service to these Rio devices via their computer.
"The range of SONICblue's compatible products highlights that our players are built with tomorrow's technology in mind," said David Huffman, vice president, audio products, SONICblue. "We believe that the Internet will offer consumers many new benefits for music distribution. We're confident that Rio portable players will grow even more popular as services like pressplay 2.0 become easier and more attractive to consumers. Consumers who have been buying the Rio players for the last two years have an exciting new use that other brands of players may not offer."
pressplay 2.0 provides members with unlimited streaming and downloading that can be listened to on or offline, and remain accessible as long as the member is an active subscriber. Pressplay 2.0 also gives subscribers the ability to permanently keep music downloaded from the service via "portable downloads" that may be burned to CDs and transferred to portable devices that support the Microsoft(R) Windows Media format and Windows Media digital rights management including the Rio 600, Rio 800 and Rio 900 models.
About the Rio 600, Rio 800 and Rio 900
Key features of the Rio 600, Rio 800 and Rio 900 include:
-- Support for MP3, Windows(R)Media (WMA) and Audible(R) formats gives users the freedom to choose music, audio books or other digital content at the quality and playtime they desire.
-- Upgradeable memory backpacks allow users to simply snap on a 32MB, 64MB or 128MB memory pack to further increase the storage capacity of Rio players (sold separately).
-- No moving parts means the Rio players can't skip, making them the perfect solution for extreme listening activities.
-- Ability to upgrade software allows Rio players to be kept up to date.
About SONICblue Incorporated
SONICblue is a leader in the converging Internet, digital media, entertainment and consumer electronics markets. Working with partners that include some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics, SONICblue creates and markets products that let consumers enjoy all the benefits of a digital home and connected lifestyle. SONICblue holds significant financial assets, global marketing capabilities and a focused technology portfolio that includes Rio(R) digital audio players; ReplayTV(R) personal television technology and software solutions; and Go-Video(R) integrated DVD+VCRs, Dual-Deck(TM) VCRs, and digital home theater systems.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including, but not limited to, statements predicting the increasing popularity of SONICblue products, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing and of alternative technological advances the availability of digital audio content and consumers' willingness to adopt new technologies such as digital media, and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of SONICblue Incorporated, including its annual report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2001 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2002. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. SONICblue disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
CONTACT:
SONICblue Incorporated
Amanda Sanyal, 408/588-8060 (Press)
Subscription Service Launched
By SIMON AVERY
.c The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Sony Music Entertainment and Vivendi's Universal Music Group will launch an upgraded online music subscription service Thursday, a move that could represent the greatest concession yet by the recording industry to consumers hungry for downloadable music.
Pressplay, the companies' 7-month-old joint online venture, will begin offering paying subscribers the ability to burn major label songs on blank CDs and to transfer the music to a variety of portable devices.
``This is the most significant announcement in the last two years from the music industry,'' said P.J. McNeally, an analyst with the research firm GartnerG2 in San Jose.
Pressplay and MusicNet - a similar service from AOL Time Warner, Bertelsmann, EMI Group and RealNetworks launched last December - have been criticized for failing to offer users a viable alternative to the free, music swapping networks like Morpheus and Kazaa.
Both pressplay and MusicNet stream music files, but have not given users portability or the ability to keep any songs when they unsubscribe. Pressplay has limited the number of tunes that can be burned to a small amount, while MusicNet still doesn't let users burn songs.
Pressplay's upgraded service offers unlimited streaming and unlimited downloading for about $10 a month. For about $18 a month, users will be able to transfer 10 songs a month to various brands of portable devices that use Microsoft software. Additional portable downloads can be bought for an added cost.
``This is a significant stride forward and a significant leap for the industry,'' said Michael Bebel, chief executive of pressplay.
``Our listeners are going to be able to listen to as much music as they want, when they want,'' he said.
Unlike peer to peer music swapping networks, however, pressplay and MusicNet only offer songs from their own respective labels.
In pressplay's case, that amounts to about 100,000 songs.
Listen.com, another music subscription service that is partially owned by the five major record companies, does include music from all the majors. But the company has not offered users the chance to transfer its content to portable music devices.
Pressplay expects to have a deal in place to offer music from Warner Music and Bertelsmann within six months, Bebel said. The joint venture already offers some music from EMI.
Separately, Listen.com will launch partnerships Thursday with two broadband Internet service providers.
Both Roadrunner, the broadband arm of AOL Time Warner, and Hughes DirecTV Broadband service will offer their subscribers access to Listen.com's Rhapsody music service for an additional fee.
07/31/02 22:31 EDT
Pressplay launches version of online music service
By Sue Zeidler
NEW YORK, Aug 1 (Reuters) - Pressplay, an online music service company jointly owned by Sony Corp <6758.T> and Vivendi Universal <EAUG.PA>, on Thursday launched a new version of its service, allowing users unlimited streaming and more flexibility in burning music onto blank CDs and transferring it to portable digital players.
The new version, Pressplay 2.0, became available on Thursday through distribution affiliates MP3.com, Microsoft Corp.'s <MSFT.O> MSN service, Roxio Inc. <ROXI.O>, Sony Musiclub and Yahoo <YHOO.O>, the company said.
While Pressplay had allowed some CD burning of major label songs in the past, the new version allows users a wider choice of those songs and the option of continuing to add to the number of songs they move to CD or a portable player on a pay-for-use basis, the company said.
"During our first six months of service, we have focused on learning what our members want so that we could refine Pressplay to meet their demands," said Pressplay Chief Executive Michael Bebel.
Bebel was named CEO in early July to replace Andy Schuon, who resigned to join Infinity Radio.
Pressplay 2.0 provides all members with unlimited streaming and unlimited downloading to their computers from its extensive catalog of more than 100,000 songs, the company said.
For instance, under a plan costing $17.95 per month, users can get unlimited streaming, unlimited downloading, and 10 "portable downloads" per month -- music that can be burned to CDs or transferred to portable devices.
Users can transfer their "portable downloads" to devices that support the Microsoft Windows Media format and Windows Media digital rights management technology, including models in SonicBlue's Rio line, CreativeLabs' Nomad line and Compaq's iPAQ.
Pressplay launched its service in the United States in December 2001. It competes with independent companies like Listen.com and FullAudio, as well as another major label-backed rival, MusicNet.
All of these services face the uphill battle of luring a base of consumers who are accustomed to getting music for free from unauthorized file-sharing services like Napster, Morpheus and Kazaa, analysts said.
08/01/02 00:01 ET
New iPod highlights old dilemma for PC devices
By Ben Berkowitz
LOS ANGELES, July 30 (Reuters) - Apple Computer Inc. <AAPL.O> will release a version of its wildly popular iPod digital music player next month aimed at the unwashed masses who rely on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows computers, ending months of anticipation from hopeful enthusiasts.
But it brings with it a classic dilemma for the penny-pinching audiophile: Most PC users eager to make the switch will need to get a special add-in card for their computer to link to the new Windows-based iPod MP3 player, boosting the cost of an already pricey system.
It's the same issue that faces computer users whenever they buy devices that they want to work with their computer -- just because they work now, will they still work in the future, or they will have to be replaced when something newer and better comes along?
Adding this peripheral connector, commonly called FireWire, is a relatively simple matter of installing an add-in card to the PC. But such cards cost about $50, on top of the $299 to $499 a consumer can expect to spend buying a new iPod player.
And while FireWire offers the lightning-fast data transfer speeds necessary for swapping big music data files, the newest version of the Universal Serial Bus, or USB, standard, now a feature of virtually every PC made, will offer connections every bit as fast.
Moreover, the new USB connectors work seamlessly with old USB devices that are standard on most computer electronics sold in the last three years, meaning the high-speed port is "backwards-compatible" with older and slower products.
Where else but the computer industry can a debate over what amounts to simple plugs and cords generate so much passion? And what's an audio junkie to do?
As baseball oracle Yogi Berra famously advised, when you come to a fork in the road, take it.
That's just what the computer industry expects many high-end users to do -- essentially guaranteeing a future in which both standards share the market, and often even, space on the same machine.
Both the FireWire standard (technically known as IEEE 1394) and the new USB 2.0 connector offer data transfer rates in excess of 400 million bytes per second, far faster than current USB and other peripheral standards.
By way of comparison, a basic uncompressed CD can hold about 650 megabytes of data, and a standard DVD can hold anywhere from 4.7 gigabytes to 17 gigabytes. In other words, just under two seconds to transfer an entire CD and less than half a minute for a full DVD.
Of course, real-world conditions are generally not perfect, and actual transfer rates often end up being slower than that theoretical maximum. But both technologies still work well enough to have become widely used for external devices like hard drives, video cameras and MP3 music players.
"Nobody really wants to set these two specs against each other," said Dick Davies, spokesman for the 1394 Trade Association, the industry group that represents the standard (and recently licensed the "FireWire" name from Apple).
DOWNLOADING IN PERFECT HARMONY
FireWire, the older of the two standards, has gained something of a foothold in recent years in computers made by Apple Computer Inc. <AAPL.O> and Sony Corp. <6758.T> (which calls its modified version of the standard "i.Link.")
USB 2.0 didn't start to catch on until earlier this year, when Intel Corp. <INTC.O> released chips supporting the standard and Microsoft Corp. <MSFT.O> released the supporting software for it within the Windows operating system.
Intel expects 80 percent of desktop PCs running its chips will have USB 2.0 by year's-end, while the FireWire trade group expects to keep pace.
Assuming costs are kept in control, PC manufacturers are as likely as not to have both FireWire and USB 2.0 in their machines, Davies said.
"Coexistence is very, very clearly in the consumer's interest," Davies said. For their part, proponents of the USB standard are largely on the same page.
"I think they'll co-exist, they are now, they have been," said Jason Ziller, chairman of the USB Implementer's Forum and a technology manager at Intel.
It is not uncommon to see both technologies side-by-side on video cameras and external hard drives, among other platforms, though most of those devices, for now, use the older, slower USB 1.1 standards.
In cameras in particular, however, FireWire has become dominant; video editing has been the primary reason FireWire has found its way into PCs at all.
"Once you start trying to move video, in particular ... USB won't cut it," Davies said.
While the USB camp disagrees with that assessment, they agree that both standards, at least in the short-term, is the wave of the PC future.
In the end it may be a matter of cost, as buying a new PC with both technologies can be an expensive proposition. Gateway Inc. <GTW.N>, one of the first PC manufacturers to support USB 2.0, sells new PCs with both starting at $1,299.
On the other hand, the company also sells an expansion card for PCs for $86 that adds both USB 2.0 and FireWire to the computer in one package.
Audiophiles rejoice.
07/30/02 15:34 ET
DataPlay e-mail regarding Toshiba
Not at all--they are still a very active partner. We have shipped engines to Toshiba. It is entirely up to Toshiba as to when they launch--and they are still planning DataPlay products.
Sent: Wednesday, June 26, 2002 10:59 PM
To: generalinfo@dataplay.com
Subject: Toshiba?
Even though Toshiba currently is listed as a partner in DataPlay, with their new in house mini HD product coming out, are they still planning to support / market DataPlay products?
Thank you.
MAJOR NEWS! Universal Music to Put Music Library Online
Company to Put Music Library Online
By SIMON AVERY
.c The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Responding to the rampant spread of unauthorized music swapping on the Internet, Universal Music Group plans to put a large chunk of its vast music library online through a subscription service beginning Tuesday.
UMG, the largest of the five major record companies, will make about 1,000 of its 11,000 albums available to subscribers who pay between $10 and $15 a month.
Unlike most other initiatives announced during the last six months, UMG's partnership with Emusic.com, a downloadable music subscription service, gives customers the same ownership rights as if they had bought the music on a CD.
That means users will be able to store tracks and transfer them to CDs or portable players using the popular MP3 file format.
But UMG is selecting the content it makes available selectively. Rather than offering the work of best-selling artists like Eminem and U2, UMG has chosen older, less popular content that doesn't sell quickly in stores.
UMG executives want to see if the music service can actually boost sales inside stores, or whether it ends up cannibalizing physical sales.
``Our feeling is people signing up are not going to say, 'Boy, I don't have to go out and buy the CD now,''' said Larry Kenswil, president of Universal Music Group eLabs. ``We'll see what happens.''
One of the challenges for music companies in putting material online is negotiating new licensing rates with artists and publishers.
Under UMG's latest arrangement, rates will be less for online sales than in-store sales, Kenswil said, although he declined to discuss specifics.
EMusic, a separate unit of Vivendi Universal Net USA, has cut deals with about 90 independent labels in its two years of existence. The deal with UMG, also owned by Vivendi Universal, marks its first deal with a major label.
Steve Grady, Emusic's general manager, said the firm is in discussion with other major record companies about providing similar subscription services.
Earlier this month, Warner Music Group gave online music distributor FullAudio the right to sell downloadable songs that can be burned onto CDs.
Peer-to-peer music exchanges like Morpheus, Kazaa and Grokster are forcing the record companies to change. CD sales fell 4 percent in the United States in 2001, mostly due to piracy, the industry says.
With 90 million consumers already downloading free music files, the industry has ``no choice'' but to adapt, Rep. Rick Boucher (D-Va.), co-chair of the Congressional Internet Caucus, told attendees of a music conference in New York Monday.
To battle the peer-to-peer sites the five major recording firms should offer their entire music libraries - some 80 percent of all recorded music in existence - to their customers over the Internet, the congressman said.
``Go on and take off the brakes,'' he said.
07/09/02 00:15 EDT
I would not have a problem with the Bauder article per se, except when he throws in amateurish statements like "some say"....then all bets are off in my book. He has a hard on for this company, as do a few other writers. I have seen it twice at CES and now before this weeks conference and potential huge headlines announced there by e.Digital.
IMO this was another planned hatchet job, done to destroy the company, the share price or both.
The answer from the DataPlay VP does not really match the question because he talks about the relationship of nowevolution and MTV, something the question posted did not even allude to.
Maybe it is a cross up of different e-mail's? It does seem to make sense however, it should be clarified as to what happened IMO.
Don't forget that Hitachi bought IBM's hard drive business. Possible e.Digital/Hitachi collaboration coming up?
Toshiba Outlines Vision to Enable the Digital Home With Pioneering Technologies
IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2002--
Strong Leadership in Computing Technology and Consumer Electronics Offers Winning Combination for Consumers; Toshiba's New Wireless Media Center Leads the Way to the Connected Home
Toshiba's Computer Systems Group (CSG) today unveiled its vision to equip the digital home with a portfolio of products that foster the convergence of data, voice and entertainment. As part of this strategy, Toshiba's combined expertise in computing technology and consumer electronics will be a key enabler for delivering a variety of advanced wireless, communications and entertainment technologies that empower a digitally connected lifestyle for mainstream consumers.
"With our strong legacy in technology, computing and home entertainment, Toshiba is poised to lead this emerging market," said Rod Keller, executive vice president of Toshiba CSG. "Our goal is to set the standard for the products and technologies that will link consumers and their electronic devices in today's digital home. In particular, we intend to dominate the wireless media center category
-- a market that leverages our unique strengths in mobile computing and wireless technology."
Toshiba Offers the "Heart" of the Digital Home
The first product in a series of planned offerings for the digital home is Toshiba's new Magnia(R) SG20 Wireless Media Center, a full-featured, easy-to-manage wireless network server that acts as the digital hub of the home. The Wireless Media Center complements Toshiba's existing product portfolio, which includes mobile computing solutions, telecommunications products, cable modems, televisions, DVD players and digital cameras.
"We believe Toshiba's brand strength in multiple consumer electronics categories will promote widespread acceptance of our Wireless Media Center. In turn, the capabilities and benefits of the Wireless Media Center will drive strong demand for and synergy with other Toshiba-branded devices that connect to this hub," Keller added.
The Wireless Media Center enables access to entertainment, communication and information -- and is the heart of the wireless home and Toshiba's convergence strategy. Smaller than a VCR, the Wireless Media Center connects all client computers for file sharing while delivering concurrent, high-speed wireless Internet access to everyone in the household. It also allows users to share all their digital information -- from photos to music to data -- as well as digital devices such as printers and network cameras.
Toshiba's Wireless Media Center includes a virtual private networking (VPN) feature, which allows authorized users to securely access information stored on the SG20 via the Internet. Parents can control what their children can view on the Web using a built-in content filtering feature, and a configurable firewall protects data from intrusion over the Internet. To enhance home security, the Wireless Media Center features video camera monitoring and recording, allowing up to four network cameras to be viewed and managed by client computers and PDAs on the local area network -- or from remote PCs via the VPN software. With its media library capabilities, customers can also store, organize, backup and use their digital photos and music files.
Toshiba CSG is dedicated to providing products and services that focus on mobility, wireless and digital convergence. The Magnia SG20 Wireless Media Center maps to the division's core mobile computing and communications strategy.
Available now, the Magnia SG20 Wireless Media Center is offered at www.shoptoshiba.com or at select CompUSA locations.
About Toshiba Computer Systems Group
Toshiba Computer Systems Group, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS), is a leading vendor for portable computers. In addition to notebooks, the company offers portable and wireless accessories, a Pocket PC device, and server computing solutions for business customers under the Toshiba brand name. For more information call 800/TOSHIBA or visit the company's Web site at www.csd.toshiba.com.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of multiple divisions that provide computer, communications and imaging products and services. Products include industry leading portable computers, PDAs, mobile computing accessories, servers, including communications and portable servers, storage subsystems, cable modems, digital business telephone systems, voice-mail, digital cameras, security systems, and digital projectors. TAIS provides sales, marketing, services and manufacturing for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a world leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems. Toshiba has global sales of over $40 billion and more than 300 subsidiaries and affiliates worldwide.
CONTACT:
Benjamin / A Weber Shandwick Company
Heather McLaughlin or Lisa Falcetti,
949/260-1300 ext. 223 or 234
heather-mclaughlin@benjamingroup.com
lisa-falcetti@benjamingroup.com
Sony, Universal music units to offer cheaper downloads
By Sue Zeidler
LOS ANGELES, June 12 (Reuters) - Record company giants Sony Music and Universal Music on Wednesday said they planned to soon offer cheaper and easier ways to download music from the Web in the industry's latest effort to stem online piracy.
"Times have changed, so the offerings have changed," said Larry Kenswil, president of eLabs for Universal Music, the No. 1 music company and a unit of Vivendi Universal <EAUG.PA> <V.N>.
Entrenched in the worst market downturn in years, the world's five big music companies last year launched their own online subscription services, MusicNet and Pressplay, after previously dabbling unsuccessfully in digital download programs that priced songs around $2 and up.
Both approaches have done little to stifle consumers' enthusiasm for free music-sharing on services like Napster, Kazaa and Morpheus.
But the music giants are hoping to compete more effectively now by offering cheaper download prices, with additional features like the ability to burn songs onto CDs.
Beginning this summer, Universal plans to distribute tens of thousands of digital singles for 99 cents or less and albums for $9.99 through Liquid Audio Inc. <LQID.O> to online retailers like Amazon.com Inc. <AMZN.O>, Best Buy Co Inc.
BBY.N> and Sam Goody, which is part of Best Buy's Musicland Group.
Kenswil said Universal will also let buyers burn the music files onto CDs, enabling consumers to copy them again and again, marking a growing shift from the industry's resistance toward such licensing.
A spokeswoman for Sony Music, a unit of Sony Corp.
6758.T><SNE.N>, said Sony also plans to soon allow CD burning and is increasing the number of downloadable songs dramatically this summer at a lower price of $1.49. Sony will offer its music through online distributor RioPort Inc.
AGGRESSIVE PRICING
"The main thing that's changed is the peer-to-peer problem," Kenswil said, referring to the rise of online music copying and swapping through the unauthorized Napster-like services, which have cost the industry millions in lost sales.
"This has forced us to reevaluate what it takes to get people to buy music on the Internet. Basically, it takes aggressive pricing and to offer as much of our catalog that can be cleared," he said.
Universal and Sony through their joint Pressplay service, had previously allowed consumers for a monthly fee to burn a limited number of songs per month.
"I think we need lots of ways of selling products and we want all these ways to appeal to an audience. They're not mutually exclusive," Kenswil said.
Analysts said the labels have no choice but to keep on trying everything now that the genie is out of the bottle.
While Napster has been hobbled by litigation and Morpheus and Kazaa are being challenged in the courts, the new generation of music consumers continue to uncover new ways of getting their music online for free.
"This continues the experimentation phase of music industry business models," said P.J. McNealy, analyst with GartnerG2.
"All the labels dabbled in digital download programs in the past 18 months, but they had problems with pricing and lack of portability with the songs once you bought them," he said.
"These latest initiatives could be a breakthrough, but it remains to be seen how much of the catalog will be cleared and what the pricing will be," he said.
Other labels are watching the efforts closely.
"Currently, we have not granted any license to burn, but this is something that we are addressing," said Nathaniel Brown, a spokesman for BMG, part of Bertelsmann AG <BTGGga.D><BTGGga.F>.
A spokesman for AOL Time Warner Inc.'s <AOL.N> Warner Music said the company has offered 99-cent downloads that are burnable on an experimental basis.
The spokesman said Warner Music has partnered with several online distributors for these offerings and expects to partner with more going forward.
A spokeswoman for EMI Group Plc <EMI.L> declined comment.
06/12/02 17:03 ET
General and administrative expenses
It seems they are selling some shares to pay themselves.
Received a return call from Robert Putnam concerning your email. He said with confidence that the person (if it is who RP thinks it is) is about 9 years behind the times of what MicroOS is and what it can do. Hope this relieves some anxiety.
e-mail from Mr. Putnam Re-Filing done per SEC request.
Thank you for your e-mail, Ken. This was requested by the SEC in connection with the shelf registration.
Best regards,
Robert Putnam
Senior Vice President
e.Digital Corporation
13114 Evening Creek Dr. S.
San Diego, CA 92128
http://www.edig.com
Phone: (858) 679-3168
Fax: (858) 486-3922
robert@edig.com
RP telephone update/clarification of earlier e-mail.
RP called and wanted to clarify the e-mail sent out this afternoon concerning the amended filing. He stated that this filing answers ALL the questions to date that the SEC has to date. He did state that he did not mean to imply that this was indeed the last set of questions to be sent back to eDig for answers. RP stated the company was hoping and expected this would be it, but the SEC could ask more NEW questions if they so desired.
I just wanted to clarify the situation so all may judge for themselves.
New e-maol from RP concerning todays filing!
This is the formal filing of the last round of items requested.
Best regards,
Robert Putnam
Senior Vice President
e.Digital Corporation
13114 Evening Creek Dr. S.
San Diego, CA 92128
http://www.edig.com
Collier was the one who started answering e-mail's from the start. It was a mistake on his part which I hope has been corrected. He was less than "careful" with his words IMO.
emit Agreed. It just has been posted (I guess wrong) that some thought e.Digital would be paid for "content key" or "engine" work. While we probably got NRE fees for this, the royalty thing was misconstrued by some.
The fact that two out of the first three DataPlay players coming out are NOT our design while not an end all by any means, sure makes it sound that companies can do it easily without us and without paying us if they chose.
There was no mistake about what I heard from RP. It is easy to get confirmation for anyone that calls him.
Actually to be blunt here, IMO he seemed annoyed that Collier was fielding questions from shareholders as it was mucking up the waters even further, That was my impression.
But on the royalties from DataPlay products issue, RP made it very clear. We get royalties ONLY on our reference designs when they come to market by OEM's. Different from what many have thought and talked about, but true.
The trouble has arisen that companies do not and are not using e.Dgital engineered players (at least ones we get royalties on). Two of the first three DataPlay players (although MTV/Evolution will be best seller of the three IMO) coming to market are not e.Digital designs!
My gut feeling is the work e.Digital did for DataPlay concerning "content key" or the "engines" was on a non recurring basis, with the "agrement" that DataPlay would recommend e.Digital to OEM's to build their products as further reward/payment.
We will see how well this works out. As I said. we are now only one for three.
RP made it clear at least to me (LOL) that e.Digital WILL NOT be receiving fees from every DataPlay player, only from those OEM's that use our reference design. That is all he said we get royalties from?
Adding to the DataPlay confusion?
RP returned my e-mail with a telephone call. I had asked where/how did e.Digital get recurring royalties from DataPlay music players.
RP emphatically stated that e.Digital does not receive royalties from the "content key" or DataPlay "engines." In fact e.Digital does not get paid royalties from DataPlay at all.
The only royalty payments e.Digital will receive is when one of e.Digitals OEM's either brings to market or makes a player for another company using the e.Digital reference platform (example Musical making the MTV Evolution player)
I am getting old and keeping up with all the posts and "I talked to RP," and now "I talked to Jim Collier" posts, but this seems slightly different from what I recall reading and understanding. Maybe it is just me. Or are mixed or mixed up signals being sent between RP and Collier?
No wonder the company is working hard in other areas. They know that many OEM's are not using their reference platform in spite of what I believe we have been told or at the least led to believe.
If anyone has any answers or comments, this old man would sure appreciate it. Thanks in advance.
Sonicblue's Rio Riot Can't Beat
Apple iPod on Speed, Ease, Size
Feb. 28, 2002
By WALTER S. MOSSBERG
If I had never seen Apple Computer's revolutionary iPod portable music player, I would think the new Rio Riot music player from Sonicblue was pretty cool. But I have seen the iPod, and so the Riot looks and works like a larger, slower, predecessor product, when in fact it has just gone on sale this week, nearly four months after the iPod.
Like the iPod, the Rio Riot is a $399 high-capacity, hard-disk-based digital music player, which can copy a huge number of MP3 files from a computer and allow you to carry them around.
The Riot does have a few advantages over the iPod. First of all, it works right out of the box with both Windows PCs and Macintosh PCs. The iPod only works with Macs, though Apple should have a Windows version by the summer. For now, some small third-party companies have add-on software that will allow an iPod to work with Windows.
Sonicblue's Rio Riot
Second, the Riot connects to a PC or Mac using the common USB port, while the iPod uses the faster, but rarer, FireWire or 1394 port. So the Riot works with more computer models.
Third, for the same price, the Riot offers four times the storage capacity of the iPod -- a 20-gigabyte hard disk that holds more than 5,000 songs at typical quality, compared with the iPod's 5-gigabyte hard disk that holds about 1,300 songs at the same quality.
Lastly, the Riot has a larger screen and uses it, in part, to show which songs are coming up in a playlist. The iPod doesn't. And the Riot lets you create playlists right on the device, while the iPod requires the playlists to be created on the computer.
But I still prefer the iPod.
One reason is size. The iPod is the only hard-disk-based portable player small enough to fit in a pocket. The Riot is much larger. It has more than double the iPod's footprint, is nearly twice as thick and is more than 50% heavier. It can't fit in a pocket, and must be held horizontally and operated with two hands, like a Gameboy.
Another factor is transfer speed. The Riot's USB connector is more common than the iPod's FireWire connector, but it is painfully slower. When I tested the iPod, I transferred 763 songs into it from a Mac in well under 10 minutes. In testing the Riot, it took over three hours to transfer just 526 songs from a Windows 98 machine.
Also, the Riot can't synchronize its song collection with your collection on a computer, as the iPod does. And despite its larger screen, the Riot only displays the title of the song being played, while the iPod displays title, artist and album. You have to press a button on the Riot to view the rest of the information.
The Riot's controls are fairly clear and simple but more complicated than the iPod's. There are 10 buttons and a wheel, compared with six buttons and a wheel on the iPod.
To navigate through a long list of songs on the iPod, you just turn a big wheel that speeds up as it plows through a long list. On the Riot, you have to alternate hitting buttons and turning a nonaccelerating wheel, and you must pick the first letter of the song title before scrolling through the choices.
Sonicblue touts a number of automated playback features on the Riot. For instance, it can quickly create a list of your most-played tunes, or of songs from a certain decade. But I found these things to be gimmicky, and they don't work well unless you first run your song collection through a piece of add-on software called MoodLogic, which isn't included.
The Riot purportedly has a battery life of at least 10 hours, which might put it close to the iPod's 12-hour battery life. But I couldn't test this, because the evaluation unit Sonicblue sent me wouldn't hold a charge. In fact, my test Riot, a production-level unit, was plagued with defects.
Over the course of two days, the Riot froze up on me at least six times. It wouldn't install on Windows XP, wouldn't transfer some songs on the two PCs where I did get it to work, and wouldn't play a significant minority of the songs I did manage to transfer.
Sonicblue concluded that I must have a "lemon." So the company rushed me another unit, which I received just before my deadline for this review.
In the brief time I had to test the second unit, I discovered that it did work with Windows XP, and that its battery seemed to charge when the unit was plugged into an electrical outlet. It didn't freeze up. But of the 41 songs I transferred to the second test unit, six wouldn't play, and these were from several different artists and albums. And several songs couldn't be transferred at all.
Sonicblue says it will fix all the problems I encountered before shipping any Riots to customers, and I take them at their word.
Still, if you have a Mac, or a Windows machine with a 1394 port, I suggest you get an iPod, or wait for the official Windows version of the iPod. If you only have a USB port, and don't mind lugging around a large device, or really need to carry 5,000 songs, the Riot is OK -- provided its maker fixes its problems.