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Philips Enters Into Solid-State Audio Market With First MP3 Player

Philips' "Rush" Among First To Be Bundled With Real Networks' Real Jukebox

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 1999-- Philips Consumer Electronics today previewed its first portable, solid-state audio player, marking its official entrance into the burgeoning market for flash memory-based audio devices. Philips' player, called "Rush," provides music lovers with everything they need to acquire, play, manage and transport their personal digital music collections. As announced in August, Philips' Rush will be bundled with RealNetworks' RealJukebox(TM), and is scheduled to ship in the first quarter of 2000.

"It's amazing to think that such a powerful digital audio product can actually fit in my shirt pocket," said Andy Mintz, vice president & general manager, Audio, Philips Consumer Electronics, North America. "Philips has always been a leader in developing cutting-edge digital audio technology - from the Compact Disc to Recordable CD. "Rush" clearly presents the next big breakthrough, and Philips has a product roadmap in place to bring this technology to an affordable level and integrate it smoothly with both PC and traditional stereo environments. Rush is just the first step."

Flash Memory

Philips' entrance into the solid state audio market reinforces the company's commitment to be at the forefront of new technologies that are enabling more personalization and convenience in consumer and business electronics products. Among the many advantages solid state audio affords are: high quality digital stereo music, shockproof, smaller lightweight devices with low power consumption, and the ability to download music from the Internet/PC.

Rush

Rush, Philips first installment in the flash memory audio category, provides music lovers with all necessary hardware and software to immediately begin experiencing the power of MP3 audio. Connecting to a PC via a parallel port interface, Rush can store MP3 music files downloaded from the Internet or songs from CDs that have been converted into MP3 files using the included RealJukebox software from RealNetworks. Utilizing advanced micro-electronic circuitry, Philips' Rush is among the smallest flash memory players in the industry (just under three inches square and less than one inch deep). Driven by a 32MB SmartMedia Card, Rush can store up to one full hour of CD quality audio. Furthermore, because the product contains no moving parts, listeners can enjoy uninterrupted music playback regardless of any bumping or jarring.

Additional features of Rush include:

  • Bookmark function - Ensures music or talking book starts or jumps precisely to where a bookmark is inserted
  • Music playback - Shuffle, repeat one, repeat all, play list
  • Graphic Equalizer - Rock and Pop modes
  • Extended Long Play Mode - Up to 12 hours (2x 'AAA' batteries)
  • Hold - Prevents accidental interruption of play or changing of the setting
  • Multi-line LCD - Displays name of song, artist, album, track number, elapsed time, bitrate, & play mode (when in playback mode)
  • Automatic power off - Automatically switches off the player at the end of the playlist
  • All necessary accessories - AC/DC adaptor, stereo in-ear headphones, parallel port connection cable, 32MB SmartMedia Card & RealNetworks' RealJukebox CD-Rom

Real Jukebox

To enable users to immediately begin experiencing the power of solid-state audio, Philips will bundle Rush with RealNetworks' industry-leading RealJukebox software application. RealJukebox is the first complete digital music product that gives consumers everything they need to easily acquire, play and manage their personal music collections. RealJukebox turns PCs into the best way to experience music by allowing consumers to listen to their favorite music at their convenience, record their personal CD collections to their PC hard drive, find and download music from the Internet, and organize and personalize music collections.

About Philips

Royal Philips Electronics of the Netherlands is one of the world's biggest electronics companies and Europe's largest, with sales of US$ 33.9 billion in 1998. It is a global leader in color television sets, lighting, electric shavers, color picture tubes for televisions and monitors, and one-chip TV products. Its 230,700 employees in more than 60 countries are active in the areas of lighting, consumer electronics, domestic appliances, components, semiconductors, medical systems, business electronics, and IT services (Origin). Philips is quoted on the NYSE, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam and other stock exchanges. News from Philips is located at www.news.philips.com

Editor's note: Please note that for your convenience, Philips has created the following rapid-response toll-free number for all Philips editorial inquiries: 1-800-210-9605

Product slides/digital images available upon request.

RealJukebox is a registered trademark of RealNetworks



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