| REALRHAPSODY®
NEWS - REALNETWORKS BRINGS PC-FREE RHAPSODY
EXPERIENCE TO THE LOGITECH SQUEEZEBOX AND TRANSPORTER
DEVICES Free Software Update Delivers
Direct Access to Rhapsody's Three Million Song Catalog
from Every Room in the Home
SEATTLE January
8, 2007 Continuing its efforts to
extend the RealRhapsody®
digital music experience into the living room,
RealNetworks®, Inc. today announced that consumers will
soon be able to enjoy PC-free direct access to its
award-winning digital music service via the acclaimed
Logitech Squeezebox and Transporter home audio players,
which were created by Slim Devices, a company recently
acquired by Logitech.
The new Rhapsody feature-set for the Squeezebox and
Transporter players is expected to be available in the
United States from Logitech on January 15, 2007 as a part
of a free update to be available at www.logitech.com.
This update to the Logitech Squeezebox and Transporter
home audio players uses RealNetworks' Rhapsody DNA
technology to deliver Rhapsody's 3 million song library
straight to users' fingertips in any room in the home.
In an industry first, consumers can search Rhapsody's
library for specific artists, albums and songs and
then instantly play back selections via the intuitive
Squeezebox and Transporter remote interface without ever
having to interact with a PC.
"Combining the RealRhapsody download
service with award-winning devices like the Squeezebox
and Transporter allows us to continue evolving the
digital music experience," said Dan Sheeran, senior
vice president of music, RealNetworks. "By
introducing the direct search feature, Squeezebox users
are now enjoying a truly on-demand, personalized
'celestial jukebox' in the home."
As part of the software upgrade, Squeezebox and
Transporter customers can also access hundreds of
Rhapsody's professionally programmed channels, which
provide unending themed streams of music via the
Squeezebox. They can also browse Rhapsody's charts of the
top 100 songs, artists and albums in hundreds of music
genres to find something new to enjoy, and access
Rhapsody's critically-acclaimed editorial content. When
consumers hear a song that they like in the RealRhapsody
Music Guide or on Rhapsody Radio, they can instantly
add the song or entire album to their music library using
the intuitive user interface on the Squeezebox or
Transporter.
"We are excited to be offering people seamless
access to one of the industry's leading digital music
service," said Sean Adams, director and general
manager of Logitech's Streaming Media Systems group.
"Incorporating Rhapsody DNA technologies with
Squeezebox and Transporter has allowed us to take the
home digital audio experience to an unprecedented level
of integration."
Squeezebox owners who upgrade their devices will
automatically receive a 30-day, no credit card required
free trial of the Rhapsody music service. Consumers can
choose to continue their Rhapsody service beyond the
trial period for only $9.99 per month. More details can
be found at http://www.realrhapsodydownload.com/squeezebox.
Rhapsody DNA is a technology platform and set of
marketing programs that enable CE makers to extend the
award-winning Rhapsody digital music experience beyond
the PC to portable and in-home devices through features
such as the ability to browse the Rhapsody Music Guide
and My Library menus, instant song playback, and access
to Rhapsody's critically-acclaimed editorial content.
The Logitech Squeezebox and Transporter home audio
players have revolutionized the way consumers listen to
music. By using true 802.11g wireless networking and dual
internal antennas, Squeezebox and Transporter deliver
digital music that is no longer restricted by cables,
connectors or even a consumer's music library. In
addition to the deep integration with Rhapsody, the
Squeezebox and Transporter include a directory of
thousands of Internet radio stations and other
personalized music services.
Click
here to Try RealRhapsody Free

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