S3's Rio Division Ships Rio 600; All-New Digital Audio Player to Include
Future-Proof Memory System and Pre-Loaded Music from Mission:Impossible 2
Business Editors, High-Tech Writers
VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 28, 2000--S3(R)'s Rio
Division(TM) (Nasdaq:SIII) today announced it has shipped the Rio 600
-- the highly anticipated and first member of the new family of
third-generation Rio handheld digital audio players.
The stylishly designed Rio 600 features a future-proof memory
expansion system that supports current and future storage types in one
consistent, compatible, interchangeable format. It also is the first
portable digital audio player to support multiple audio formats out of
the box.
"This addition to the rapidly growing Rio family will enter
distribution channels much more quickly and comprehensively than any
digital audio player ever has before," said S3 CEO Ken Potashner.
"With the Rio 600, as well as Nike and Dell's Rio-based products,
we're aggressively moving the Rio brand toward mass market consumer
acceptance. According to Cahners In-Stat Group, demand for digital
music players is expected to grow nearly tenfold by 2003, and the Rio
brand is clearly the recognized leader in this high-growth market."
Record labels are steadily moving to capitalize on the anticipated
success of the Rio 600. Hollywood Records, owned by the Walt Disney
Co., has partnered with S3 to pre-load music from the "Mission:
Impossible-2" soundtrack on Rio 600s as they ship.
"We are impressed by the Rio 600's new design and support for
secure music formats," said Ken Bunt, director of digital marketing
for Hollywood Records. "The industry has been waiting patiently for a
well-designed, user-friendly player. We are pleased to partner with
Rio to provide digital music from our promising new artists."
S3 is the first to develop an entire family of portable digital
audio players specifically designed with styles, feature sets and
price points that appeal to a variety of lifestyles and market
segments. The Rio 600 has features that appeal to broad audiences with
active and trendy lifestyles. And, coming later this summer, the Rio
800 will include an enhanced design and premium feature set that
appeals to technology enthusiasts and business travelers.
"We've worked hard to develop a family of third-generation players
where the devices are tailored to fit consumer lifestyles," said Mike
Reed, vice president of marketing for S3's Rio Division. "We're no
longer asking consumers to adjust to a static technology. With the Rio
600, people can simply download their favorite tunes, push play and
enjoy -- a particularly appealing benefit for entry-level users who
are always on the go."
Rio 600 Features
S3's Rio 600 includes the following features:
-- Simple Access to Multiple File Formats -- In addition to
support for the industry's most popular digital music formats
(MP3 and Windows Media), listeners will be able to easily
upgrade the player's processor via Internet updates to support
formats such as AAC and Audible.
-- "Future-proof" Memory Expansion System -- Flash and microdrive
snap-on memory Backpacks will be available to augment the
one-hour of on-board memory. Rather than having to purchase a
new player to support emerging memory formats, customers can
buy new, completely compatible and interchangeable backpacks
to operate with their existing Rio player. Flash Backpacks
will ship with one- and two-hour storage and, through a
partnership with IBM, a Microdrive Backpack will provide
approximately 10 hours of additional music.
-- Unique Style and Design -- Ergonomic shape, interchangeable
color faceplates, large display and an optional remote control
gives consumers the power to better control their Rio
experience.
-- Superior Audio Fidelity -- Custom-designed headphones,
integrated equalizer and a fully optimized digital music
processor ensures that the Rio 600 boasts outstanding sound
reproduction.
Integrated Audio Manager Software
S3's new Rio players are bundled with Rio Audio Manager 3.3
software, designed by RioPort.com, Inc., enabling music files/content
to be transacted, acquired and managed within a single application.
Listeners can sort, categorize and edit all of their digital music
tracks with the playlist manager and an integrated browser connects
seamlessly to the Internet for access to online digital audio tracks.
Personal CD collections can be downloaded as MP3 or WMA files, and
placed directly on the Rio 600. Among other features, the new Rio
Audio Manager allows consumers to burn custom CDs with their favorite
digital tracks.
For Macintosh users, the Rio 600 ships with Casady and Green's
SoundJam MP to manage audio files as easily as with the RioPort Audio
Manager for PCs.
Pricing and Availability
The Rio 600 shipped to North American retail outlets including
Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, Fry's Electronics and The Good Guys
with a suggested retail price of $169.95. The package ships with
high-quality, over-the-ear sport clip earphones; a USB cable; AA
battery; audio management software for PC and Macintosh and a user's
guide. One-, two-and ten-hour memory Backpacks and additional
faceplates will soon be available. More information about accessories
for the Rio 600 can be found at www.riostuff.com.
About S3 Incorporated
Following its acquisition of Diamond Multimedia and the transfer
of its graphics chip assets to a joint venture company, S3 has been
re-launched as a digital media company focused on creating products
and partnerships that help build the digital home. Combining
significant financial assets with a strong technology portfolio, that
includes the Rio family of digital audio players and the HomeFree
series of home networking solutions, S3 is uniquely positioned to
capitalize on high growth opportunities in the rapidly converging
Internet and consumer device markets.
Except for historical information contained herein, the matters
set forth in this press release, such as statements as to the Rio
brand being the established leader in the high-growth digital music
market, the Rio 600's ability to enter the channel quickly and
comprehensively and record labels' willingness to work with the Rio
600, are forward-looking statements that are subject to risk and
uncertainties, including the impact of competitive products and
pricing and of alternative technological advances, the ability of S3
to produce and move product into its distribution channels and the
cooperation of its distribution channel partners, the ability of S3 to
secure deals with record labels, and other risks detailed from time to
time in S3's SEC reports, including its quarterly report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended March 31, 2000. S3 is a registered trademark of
S3 Incorporated. The S3 corporate logo, Diamond Multimedia and
HomeFree are trademarks of S3 Incorporated. Rio is a trademark of
RioPort.com, Inc. and is used by S3 under license from RioPort.com,
Inc. Other marks referenced herein are the property of their
respective owners.
--30--RYG/se*
CONTACT: Porter Novelli Convergence Group (Editorial Contact)
Nate Schwalbach, 206/727-2880
nate.schwalbach@pnicg.com
or
S3 Incorporated (Investor Contact)
Tracy L. Perry, 408/588-8086
ir@S3.com
KEYWORD: WASHINGTON
INDUSTRY KEYWORD: COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS HARDWARE SOFTWARE MUSIC
PRODUCT ELECTRONIC GAMES/MULTIMEDIA ENTERTAINMENT
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