ADBL could get hot today
Monday February 28, 7:58 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Motorola and Audible to Enable Multiple Communication Handsets to Receive Spoken Audio Content
Agreement to Enable Audible to Develop Spoken Word Audio for Motorola iDEN(R) Digital Wireless Phones
NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 28, 2000-- Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT - news) a global leader in wireless communications and Audible, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBL - news) the leading provider of Internet-delivered spoken audio (www.audible.com(TM)) for PC-based listening or mobile playback on AudibleReady(TM) portable digital audio devices, today announced their intention to bring Audible's premium news, information and entertainment audio to wireless subscribers using Motorola's iDEN technology. iDEN phones that support Audible content are expected to be available in the second half of 2000.
An important element of this letter of intent includes the companies' efforts to ensure mutual compliance between future Motorola iDEN handsets and Audible's spoken audio content service.
``This letter of intent with Audible represents Motorola's dedication to providing the most advanced communication capabilities to our customers,' said Bill Werner, corporate vice president of Motorola and general manager of the iDEN Subscriber Group. ``By arranging for Internet audio to be delivered directly to our integrated digital wireless phones, we are enabling a new solution to make our customers more productive and better informed.'
``With the proliferation of Internet-enabled wireless phones, the availability of spoken audio content will enrich customers' lives during those times when their eyes are busy but their minds are free,' said Travis Millman, vice president of business development of Audible, Inc. ``We are pleased with the progress we've made with Motorola towards bringing this service to market.'
Motorola and Audible gave the first-ever demonstration of wireless delivery of spoken audio content to Internet-ready phones at the Personal Communications Showcase (PCS '99) last September. The demonstration showcased the functionality that can allow users to download thousands of hours of spoken media such as popular audio books, magazine and newspaper digests, business and investing news and analysis, lectures and readings, comedy, language lessons and on-demand radio from audible.com(TM).
According to the United States Census Bureau, an estimated 84 million people drive alone to work each day and 40 million mobile workers spend 20 percent of their time away from the office. Additionally, 50 million people exercise regularly, according to International Data Corporation. These are all opportunities to make customers' time more fun and productive by listening to Audible content. Customers will be able to download customized content from the audible.com Internet audio service via the iDEN wireless handset's microbrowser with total on-the-go convenience, even at off-peak hours. Audible's spoken audio titles can then be played back using the handset's speakerphone or other hands-free accessories, including headphones or a car kit while the user is commuting, exercising or travelling.
About Audible, Inc.
Audible is the Internet's largest, most diverse provider of premium spoken audio services for content download or playback on personal computers or AudibleReady(TM) mobile devices. Audible allows customers to take advantage of their commuting, travel and desktop computer time by delivering premium entertainment and information audio while their eyes are busy but their minds are free. Audible's content partners include leading audio book publishers, broadcasters, magazine and newspaper publishers, business information providers, and educational and cultural institutions. Visitors to www.audible.com(TM) can browse, sample, purchase and subscribe to more than 20,000 hours of audio programs. Audible.com is Amazon.com's exclusive provider of spoken-word programming for downloading or streaming via the Web. Among the company's key business partners are Casio Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation, S3/Diamond Inc., Microsoft Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, RealNetworks, Inc. and Texas Instruments.
About Motorola and iDEN
Motorola, Inc. is a global leader in providing integrated communications solutions and embedded electronic solutions. Sales in 1999 were $30.9 billion.
iDEN handsets are the only integrated digital wireless phones that allow users to not only place telephone calls, but also to connect to the Internet, send text messages, send and receive e-mail, and share information instantly with one or hundreds of individuals with the push of a button.
Motorola, iDEN and i1000plus are trademarks or registered trademarks of Motorola, Inc. AudibleReady and audible.com are trademarks or registered trademarks of Audible, Inc.
This press release contains information, that is not historical fact and may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, Audible's limited operating history, history of losses, uncertain market for its services, and its inability to license or produce compelling audio content and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. |
