Rio® Announces Compatibility with PlaysForSure Subscription-Based Services
SANTA CLARA, Calif., July 12, 2005 -- Rio ® today announced its Rio Carbon
and Rio ce2100 product lines now add subscription-service capability with PlaysForSure
subscription services, using Windows Media Digital Rights Management 10 (formerly
code-named “Janus”). The compatibility is made available as a user downloadable
firmware upgrade from the Rio website.
Subscription service support now allows current and future Rio customers to
download music via a monthly subscription, as well as downloading and paying
for each individual song. Rio customers can now enjoy using services such as
Napster’s Napster-To-Go and F.Y.E.’s Download Zone. By the end of th e summer,
Rio expects additional online music sites to offer subscription services, making
Rio a significant addition to the compatible device list for these online music
service providers.
“We are pleased to provide our customers with the ultimate digital music solution
through the portable music subscription model,” says Dan Torres, Vice President
of Product Marketing at Rio. “ For the customer who wants freedom of choice
in where or how they legally explore, discover, and purchase music, the Rio
Carbon and Rio ce2100 product lines with the choice of size, from 2.5GB 1 to
6GB, are the best solutions, offering a sleek and stylish design, long-lasting
battery life, plenty of memory capacity and the promise of being subscription
service upgradeable.”
In addition to offering subscription service compatibility, Rio today is also
announcing that it is now shipping the Rio Carbon 6GB pearl, with 17% more
storage space than the award-winning Carbon “silver”. The Rio Carbon 6GB pearl
is capable of holding up to 100 hours 2 of MP3 music (200 hours WMA) or 1500
songs with up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge. The Rio Carbon
6GB pearl also ships with a premium carrying case, designed for durability,
carrying ease and access to controls while in the case. The increase in capacity,
in conjunction with the player’s current features, makes the Rio Carbon 6GB
pearl a highly competitive offering from Rio.
Availability and Pricing
The Rio Carbon 6GB pearl is currently shipping and is available through retail
outlets in both the U.S. and Europe, and at www.rioaudio.com.
Estimated manufacturers suggested retail price for the new Rio Carbon 6GB pearl
player is $229. Additionally, the subscription-service downloadable firmware
upgrade for the Rio Carbon and Rio ce2100 product lines is available immediately
via the Rio website.
About Rio
Rio, a division of D&M Holdings US, is the inventor of the MP3 player and
pioneered portable digital audio technology with the launch of the Rio PMP300
in 1998. Since then, Rio has become a leading brand of portable MP3 players
by developing a host of award-winning products that let music lovers take their
music with them wherever they go. For more information regarding Rio, or to
purchase a Rio digital audio player, please visit www.rioaudio.com .
About D&M Holdings Inc.
D&M Holdings Inc. (TSE II: 6735) is based in Tokyo and owns the Denon,
Marantz, McIntosh Laboratory, D&M Professional, ReplayTV â , Rio â and
Escient â brands. Denon, Marantz, McIntosh and D&M Professional
are global industry leaders in the specialist home theater, audio/video consumer
electronics or professional audio markets, with a strong and long-standing
heritage of manufacturing and marketing high-performance audio and video components.
The ReplayTV, Rio and Escient brands represent award-winning technologies
in digital home entertainment. Additional information is available at www.dm-holdings.com.
DISCLAIMER
Statements in this release that are not statements of historical fact
may include forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future
financial performance of the company. We wish to caution you that such statements
are just predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially.
Forward looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties surrounding
competitive and industry conditions, product changes or delays, market acceptance
for the company’s products, risks of litigation, technological changes,
developing industry standards and other factors related to the company’s
businesses.
Rio is a registered trademark of Digital Networks North America, Inc.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Media Contact:
Lerin O’Neill
Porter Novelli for Rio
+1.408.369.4600
lerin.oneill@porternovelli.com
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