RNWK--eVoice and RealNetworks Offer Consumers a New Solution to Simplify Daily Communications
Internet Users Now Have Easy Access to Voicemail Services Via RealPlayer 8 With a Click of the Mouse
MENLO PARK, Calif. & SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 30, 2000-- eVoice, Inc., the leading provider of internet-enabled voicemail services to consumers, today announced a strategic agreement with RealNetworks®, Inc. (Nasdaq: RNWK - news), the recognized leader in media delivery on the Internet. The agreement marks the first time an online media player has provided one-click access to home and small business voicemail, offering users a convenient, easy way to retrieve voicemail over the Internet.
With the addition of the eVoice add-in, users can now check their voicemail from within the RealPlayer® making consumers' entertainment and personal communications accessible from a central location. Consumers can add an eVoice button to their RealPlayer by clicking ``Check for update'' in the Help menu of their RealPlayer. By clicking the eVoice icon on the RealPlayer, users are transported directly to the eVoice Web site, where they can either sign-up for the service or check messages if they are already a subscriber. RealPlayer users will now have direct access to eVoice's home and small business voicemail, while eVoice subscribers now have the convenience of retrieving and listening to their voicemail messages directly via RealPlayer.
RealPlayer content was played by 27.1 million US home users during the month of July, two and a half times the number of any other streaming media player format, according to Nielsen/NetRatings, a leading Internet audience measurement service. eVoice's Web site was visited by 2.8 million unique visitors in the month of June according to measurement company Media Metrix, more than any other telecommunications Web site.
``This agreement will help simplify daily communications via the Internet,'' said Rob Romero, vice president of marketing and business development at eVoice. ``It is also a significant step in our ongoing commitment to give consumers convenient access to their voicemail. Consumers can now use RealPlayer for much of their entertainment and communications needs.''
``We are delighted to be working with eVoice to offer another great personalization feature to our more than 140 million registered RealPlayer customers,'' said Steve Banfield, general manager of RealPlayer Products, RealNetworks, Inc. ``This is the first time our consumers can use the eVoice service to access their voicemail using RealPlayer.''
About eVoice
eVoice, Inc., based in Menlo Park, CA, is the leading provider of internet-enabled voicemail services for consumers. Launched on May 2, 2000, eVoice is the first and only service available nationwide that can answer home and small business phones. eVoice's national network is built on the firm's patent-pending IP technology and is designed to be feature-rich and extremely scalable. eVoice.com was the number one telecommunications Web site in the month of June 2000, according to measurement company Media Metrix. Founded in 1998, eVoice has raised $50 million in venture funding from idealab!, Nokia Venture Partners, Worldview Technology Partners and Oak Investment Partners. To subscribe to eVoice, visit our Web site at www.evoice.com or call 1-800-GET-EVOICE (1-800-438-3864).
About RealPlayer
RealPlayer is the most widely deployed media player in the world, with more than 140 million unique registered users. RealPlayer 8, the newest version of the player, is the gateway to the best audio and video programming on the Internet and the Real.com(TM) Network. RealPlayer 8 offers one button access to audio and video programming from more than 300 partners via Real.com Take5, RealChannels and Live Stations. RealPlayer 8 also includes the Real.com Message Service which enables users, at their option and free of charge, to be notified when entertainment or breaking news programming is available. RealPlayer 8 is available for free download at real.com.
About RealNetworks
RealNetworks, Inc., based in Seattle, is the recognized leader in media delivery on the Internet. It develops and markets software products and services designed to enable users of personal computers and consumer electronic devices to send and receive audio, video and other multimedia services using the Web. Consumers can access and experience audio/video programming and download RealNetworks consumer software on the Internet at real.com. RealNetworks' systems and corporate information is located on the Internet at realnetworks.com.
RealNetworks, RealPlayer, Real.com, RealChannels and Take5 are trademarks or registered trademarks of RealNetworks, Inc. All other companies or products listed herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners. |
