World?s First Standalone Internet Radio Unveiled by Kerbango Plays AM/FM Radio and Thousands of Internet Radio Stations from Around the World
Promising to Reinvent Radio, Kerbango Makes it Easy to Find and Listen to the Vast Amount of Audio on the Web ? Without a PC
Kerbango Internet Radio Uses RealAudio Technology from RealNetworks
INDIAN WELLS, Calif., DEMO 2000 ? February 7, 2000 ? Delivering on its plan to boost the popularity of Internet radio, Kerbango, Inc. today unveiled the world?s first standalone Internet radio at the technology industry?s premier product-launch forum. The Kerbango radio looks like a stylized, decorator-version of an AM/FM radio, and it provides all the features that are typically expected from such a radio. Using an embedded version of RealNetworks© RealPlayer© G2, the Kerbango? Internet Radio also makes it easy to find and tune-in to the thousands of radio stations around the world that are reaching new audiences by broadcasting their audio content on the Internet. The Kerbango radio also plays audio content from Internet-only broadcasters.
According to Arbitron, 11 million people in the United States are listening to Internet audio on their PCs, where they can listen to Internet-based audio on their own schedule, listen to programs that aren?t available on their local radio stations, and create a personalized playlist of programs.
Capitalizing on the growing demand for Internet-based radio programming, Kerbango is the first solution that dramatically expands the reach and usefulness to all areas of the home, and to the broad population of consumers. The listener no longer has to be near a PC in order to select and listen to audio content. In addition, Kerbango is designed to eliminate the need for computer or software expertise ? it simply works.
The Kerbango radio can be plugged in anywhere in the home or office ? only a power outlet and standard Internet connection ? dial-up, cable modem, DSL, home network, etc. ? are needed. In addition, Kerbango leverages its considerable expertise in user-friendly hardware and software design to make it easy for listeners to find, select and listen to their favorite Internet radio programs using the Kerbango Tuning Service (KTS).
"Radio is being completely reinvented by the Internet," said Jon Fitch, Kerbango?s chief executive officer. "Just as the emergence of FM dramatically changed radio in the 1960s, it is once again being transformed as traditional radio stations and Internet-only stations go online to reach new audiences around the world. Kerbango intends to be a driving force in helping Internet radio fulfill its promise, by making it easy to find and listen to Internet audio ? without needing a computer."
"We are thrilled that Kerbango has chosen to partner with the leader in streaming media," said Phil Barrett, senior vice president, Media Technologies, RealNetworks, Inc. "RealPlayer is ideally suited as the embedded media player for Kerbango?s cutting edge Internet appliance, and together we are taking a groundbreaking step forward to make Internet radio accessible to vast new audiences of consumers."
Innovative Radio and Tuning Service for Customized, Reliable Experience
The introduction of Kerbango?s Internet Radio is the second step in the company?s two-fold strategy to provide Internet audio services and Internet radio devices. In October 1999, Kerbango introduced its Internet Audio Directory, now known as the Kerbango Tuning Service (KTS), available at www.kerbango.com. Since that time, Internet-audio aficionados have been using KTS as a single, convenient source for finding and listening to music, news, sports and talk-radio programs from all parts of the globe. Additionally, KTS allows users to learn more about stations, store their favorite selections, and screen for preferred content and audio quality. With KTS, listeners can create a personalized listening program and even respond to what they are listening to, to get more information or even to make a purchase.
"With our tuning service and Internet radio, Kerbango is speeding the adoption of Internet radio by giving consumers a personalized audio experience they can easily and reliably access wherever there?s an Internet connection," said Jim Gable, Kerbango?s president. "Pre-set programs selected using KTS at work can later be accessed at home from the user?s radio. The interchange between the tuning service and the Internet radio gives customers great flexibility while keeping the radio as simple as an everyday appliance should be."
Tune in the World with the Ease of an AM/FM Radio
Kerbango?s Internet radio allows listeners to tune-in to everything from their favorite local radio stations, to programs from their home town or country, to sporting events that are not broadcast locally, to Internet-only stations, to their favorite music tracks. The radio works simply via a home phone line or home network connection with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) account, and integrates RealNetworks? RealPlayer G2 for high-quality audio delivery. Pressing the ?On? button displays a vast variety of available stations by category: Rock & Roll, Classical, Talk Radio, Country & Western, Jazz, and more. The radio?s tuning knob is used to select a category in much the same way that it?s used with a standard AM/FM radio to tune in a station. Individual stations or audio streams within the category are then displayed, and once a specific selection is made, the broadcast begins. If an ?always-on? connection, such as cable-modem, DSL or ISDN is available, the radio can be left connected to the Internet all the time.
In addition to Internet audio streams, the radio can be used to playback stored MP3 files from a computer when both are on the same Local Area Network (LAN). The radio?s onscreen interface can be used to select local files, giving the listener the option of playing them randomly or in order by name or date, with the sound quality and convenience MP3 delivers.
Radio Availability, Pricing and Specifications
The Kerbango Internet Radio is expected to be available beginning this spring for under $300. The company?s radio design supports modem and Ethernet connections, and Universal Serial Bus (USB). The USB port can be used to connect other forms of networking, or external storage such as a portable MP3 player. Stereo outputs can be connected to a larger audio system, and AM/FM tuning, clock radio functionality and a headphone jack for private listening are all included.
Kerbango Internet Radio and Tuning System Licensing
Kerbango plans to make its Internet radio design and KTS available to manufacturers and websites. Through OEM manufacturers? designs, specific radio features may vary. KTS can be implemented as a web-only set of features, such as on www.kerbango.com, or as a companion site to an OEM product. Alone, KTS can add valuable audio content to websites. In conjunction with the Kerbango Internet Radio and derivative products, KTS makes it easy to develop and deliver products capable of receiving a wealth of Internet streaming audio broadcasts.
About RealPlayer
Kerbango lnternet Radio listeners will join the more than 95 million unique registered RealPlayer users who are able to listen to online radio each week in RealNetworks' RealAudio format. RealPlayer G2 is the industry-leading media player and a gateway to thousands of radio stations around the world broadcasting on the Internet. Based on the RealSystem© G2 media delivery system, the RealAudio© format delivers superior audio quality for consumers.
About Kerbango, Inc.
Founded in 1998 by former Apple Computer and Power Computing executives, and joined by radio veterans from OnRadio, Kerbango, Inc. ? a privately held Cupertino, California company ? was formed to deliver Internet audio services and Internet radio devices that will help Internet radio become as convenient and pervasive as traditional radio. Available from the company?s web site, www.kerbango.com, the Kerbango Tuning Service (KTS) is a content-rich, easy-to-use directory for access to Internet audio from around the world. The company introduced the world?s first standalone Internet radio appliance in 2000, which works with KTS to make finding and listening to Internet audio easier and more reliable.
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Kerbango is a trademark of Kerbango, Inc. RealNetworks, RealPlayer, RealAudio and RealSystem are registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. Additional company and product names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of the individual corporations and are hereby acknowledged. |
