SONICblue Delivers Secure Music Download Service with Launch of Rio Music Center
VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 23, 2001--
New Service Allows Users to Easily Download Hot Music Singles Directly onto Rio Players; Service Launches with Exclusive Samantha Mumba Track from A&M Records
Rio(R), a division of SONICblue(TM) Incorporated (Nasdaq:SBLU), today launched the Rio Music Center(TM), a download service that enables increased security by placing today's hottest music directly on the latest Rio handheld players. Providing Rio users with a complete audio experience, the Rio Music Center takes the music industry one step closer to resolving the ongoing debate over online music distribution and digital rights management - tying an easy-to-use and secure download service to the world's largest base of digital audio players.
"Secure content that is easily accessible and sampled has been the biggest challenge to record labels and consumers looking to embrace the digital audio platform," said Jim Cady, president of Rio. "Working with key partners and the top record labels, we're actively pursuing new technologies and business models designed to clear this challenge and bring both sides closer to experiencing the freedom and opportunity that digital music can ultimately offer."
About the Rio Music Center
Powered by RioPort, Inc., the industry's leading music application service provider (ASP) and its PulseOne Media Service(TM), the Rio Music Center is now available online at www.riohome.com. The Rio Music Center offers a "Direct-to-Device (d2d(TM))" system where downloaded tracks reside only on the Rio player until the user replaces them with new tracks. In bypassing the PC for storage and redistribution, the Rio Music Center makes downloading music simple and secure.
Featuring a continually changing selection of hot music from top labels with up to 20 new tracks a week, the Rio Music Center kicks off with an exclusive new track from Samantha Mumba provided by A&M Records. Other tracks include, "Hangin' By A Moment" by Lifehouse, "Ridin'" by Buckcherry and "Like a Bird" by Nelly Furtado, provided by Dreamworks Records, as well as "Lay Low" from Snoop Dogg provided by Priority Records.
About Rio
Rio, a division of SONICblue Incorporated, is a pioneer and acknowledged leader in digital audio. Focused on delivering a family of digital audio products designed for various lifestyles, Rio is dedicated to engineering superior portable, home and car digital audio products for consumers.
About SONICblue Incorporated (www.SONICblue.com)
SONICblue is a leader in the converging Internet, digital media and consumer device 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, HomeFree(TM) home networking solutions, Diamond(TM) Internet access products and frontpathTM Information Appliances.
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements as to the expected availability, features and benefits of the Rio Music Center, as well as Rio and RioPort's ability to take the music industry closer to resolving the digital audio and digital rights management debate, 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 availability of new tracks, manufacturing difficulties, possible delays in the release of other products, and other risks detailed from time to time in the SEC reports of SONICblue Incorporated, including its quarterly report on Form 10-K for the quarter ended December 31, 2000. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. SONICblue and Rio disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. SONICblue, HomeFree, Diamond and frontpath are trademarks of SONICblue. Rio is a registered trademark of RioPort, Inc. and is used by SONICblue under license from RioPort, Inc. Other marks referenced herein are the property of their respective owners.
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CONTACT: Porter Novelli (Rio Editorial Contact)
Rob McMurtrie, 206/727-2880
rob.mcmurtrie@porternovelli.com
or
SONICblue Incorporated (Investor Contact)
Tracy L. Perry, 408/588-8086
ir@sonicblue.com
KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ENTERTAINMENT COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS
ELECTRONIC GAMES/MULTIMEDIA PRODUCT
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