From RB:
WEBNOISE:RioPort/MSFT/EDIG Connection
Date: 01/07/2000 11:47:46 PM Eastern Standard Time
From the Webnoise site. Take special note from paragraph three on down.
news.webnoize.com
RioPort Strikes Audio Platform Deals
Through a series of newly announced deals, RioPort,Inc. is
establishing itself as a player in the nascent audio platform business, successfully building a model distinct and independent from the portable device business of its former parent company,Diamond Multimedia. This week, RioPort announced that Compaq Computer will bundle RioPort's audio manager jukebox software with Presario desktop and laptop computers shipped in the U.S. The agreement continues a relationship established in July 1999, when Compaq began offering consumers a Rio PMP300 portable digital audio player, from RioPort. RioPort's audio manager software includes an integrated web browser and lets users download and playback MP3 and Windows Media music files, and transfer files from a PC to portable audio
players,including Diamond's Rio device.
In October, RioPort began operating separately from S3, Inc., the PC graphics developer that acquired RioPort and parent company Diamond Multimedia last year. The company landed $30 million in first-round funding from Vulcan Ventures and Oak Investment Partners, and set out to expand its business model beyond providing software and services to Diamond Multimedia [see 10.27.99 RioPort Closes on $30M First Round].
In November, RioPort and Microsoft Corp.announced availability of a suite of software tools designed to let portable audio device manufacturers and software developers incorporate support for the Windows Media Audio format into new products [see 11.10.99 Microsoft Unveils Portable Audio Device Platform].
RioPort's close alliance with Microsoft could provide the company with its best shot at establishing its audio platform as an industry standard, not just for portable audio devices, but for other high-tech appliances like mobile phones, or set-top boxes and digital recording devices for TVs. Microsoft has major plans to provide consumers with digital appliances that combine information, entertainment and communication capabilities. The software giant yesterday unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas a prototype concept home that includes technology that the company believes will soon connect computers, TVs, telephones, home electronics, email and
web access through devices including portable tablets and vocal command room controllers.
RioPort also has important relationships with digital rights management (DRM) and portable audio device architecture companies. The company has an agreement to integrate its audio manager software into e.Digital's Internet music player design. E.Digital earlier this week announced its first licensing deal for its reference design, and is expected to announce many similar deals as the year progresses.
RioPort has a relationship with InterTrust Technologies, using that company's DRM technology in its audio manager software. Additionally, RioPort's software will be included as part of a digital music commerce system in development by National Westminster Bank's Magex service.
Using InterTrust's DRM technology, Magex provides a medium for the sale and delivery of secured digital audio content, and plans to commercially release its system later this quarter.
( |
