Media please contact:
Chris Romoser, Iomega Corporation, (801) 332-3678 romoser@iomega.com
Julie Miller, Intuit Inc. (858) 784-4469; julie_miller@intuit.com
Analyst/Investors, please contact:
Jim Recob, Iomega Corporation, (801) 332-4430 recob@iomega.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HipZip(tm) Beta Testers Preferred
All-in-One Experience and Superior Ease of Use
NEW YORK -
September 21, 2000 - Iomega Corporation (NYSE:
IOM), a global leader in data management solutions,
and Microsoft Corporation today announced that Iomega
has selected Windows Media(tm) Player 7 as the default
Windows(r)-based PC jukebox to be included with the
new HipZip(tm) digital audio player, which launches
today. Iomega selected the new all-in-one Windows Media
Player 7 based on internal research showing that the
Windows Media Player 7 exceeded customer usability and
functionality expectations. Iomega also has selected
the Microsoft(r) Windows Media Format as its default
music format for the HipZip( player because it offers
consumers twice as much CD-quality music as MP3 on Iomega's
PocketZip(tm) disk.
"Selecting an easy-to-use jukebox
was a priority in this decision," said Noel Sobelman,
worldwide product line manager for PocketZip( at Iomega
Corporation. "Windows Media Player 7 consistently
received high scores from our beta testers as an intuitive,
all-in-one place to download, manage, play and transfer
their digital music from the PC to our new HipZip player."
Microsoft also announced today that
the millions of users who have downloaded Windows Media
Player 7 to date are already HipZip(- and PocketZip(-ready
thanks to built-in Iomega disk support in the player.
"Consumers want an easy and
cost-effective way to take their digital music everywhere
and Iomega's HipZip player with PocketZip storage is
a breakthrough product to make this a reality this holiday
season," said Dave Fester, general manager, Digital
Media Division, Microsoft Corporation. "Windows
Media Player 7's integrated support for the HipZip player
provides an easy and seamless way for consumers to transfer
their favorite digital music to their PocketZip disks
and take it with them wherever they go."
HipZip( is one of the first digital
audio players using Iomega's PocketZip( portable media
format (formally marketed under the Clik! trademark).
The player's combination of PocketZip disks and the
Windows Media Format breaks down cost barriers for digital-music
fans, giving listeners an affordable way to build portable
digital-music libraries. Combined with the high audio
quality and built-in digital rights security of Windows
Media, the low-cost PocketZip disks allow consumers
to affordably collect, organize, transport and share
digital music from top artists.
Windows Media Player 7 will be included
in the Iomega HipZip( box in November. HipZip customers
can also download the latest player at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/.
Windows Media Player 7 is the only software that delivers
a complete, all-in-one experience, including digital
audio and video playback, a jukebox, an Internet radio
tuner, an integrated media guide, audio CD creation
and one-click transfer of digital music to portable
devices. Windows Media Player 7 ends user confusion
and the need to use several products to perform the
most common digital media activities.
About Windows Media
Windows Media is the leading digital media platform,
providing unmatched audio and video quality to consumers,
content providers, solution providers, software developers
and corporations. Windows Media offers the industry's
only integrated rights-management solution and the most
scalable and reliable streaming technology tested by
independent labs. Windows Media Technologies includes
Windows Media Player for consumers, Windows Media Services
for servers, Windows Media Tools for content creation,
and the Windows Media Software Development Kit (SDK)
for software developers. Windows Media Player, available
in
24 languages, is the fastest-growing media player. More
information about Windows Media can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsmedia/.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ: MSFT) is the worldwide
leader in software, services and Internet technologies
for personal and business computing. The company offers
a wide range of products and services designed to empower
people through great software - any time, any place
and on any device.
About Iomega
Iomega Corporation (NYSE: IOM) manufactures and markets
the award-winning Zip(r), Jaz(r) and PocketZip( drives
and disks, and markets Iomega CD-RW drives and discs.
Iomega's products help people to save, share, manage
and create important information such as spreadsheets,
slides, Internet downloads, audio files and personal
photographs, while protecting that content from viruses
and hackers. Used in homes, businesses, government and
educational facilities and by creative professionals
everywhere, Iomega storage solutions are the enabling
technologies preferred by millions. The company can
be reached at (800) MY-STUFF
(800-697-8833), or on the Web at http://www.iomega.com/.
# # #
Copyright (c) 2000 Iomega Corporation.
Iomega, the stylized "i" logo, Zip, Jaz, Clik!,
HipZip, and PocketZip are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Iomega Corporation in the United States
and/or other countries.
Microsoft, Windows Media and Windows are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United
States and/or other countries. Certain other product
names, brand names and company names may be trademarks
or designations of their respective owners.
Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional
information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft
Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft's
corporate information pages.
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