SCHAUMBURG, Ill., and REDMOND, Wash., -- May 2, 2000 -- I-Jam Multimedia LLC, a pioneer in the development of the smallest digital music players, and Microsoft Corp. today unveiled the new Win-Jam Digital Music Player, the first device to exclusively support the Microsoft^® Windows Media™ Format. I-Jam developed the Win-Jam Player to enable consumers to easily enjoy CD-quality digital music that is half the size of equivalent MP3 files, while breaking through the price barriers of first-generation portable digital music players. The Win-Jam Digital Music Player is scheduled to be available in July for a suggested retail price of $129.99. Today's announcement underscores the rapid mainstream acceptance of the Windows Media Format among both portable device manufacturers and consumers.

 

The Win-Jam is the first portable music player to exclusively support Windows Media Format.

Microsoft also announced today that the Win-Jam device will be the first to include on its installation CD the new Windows Media Player 7, the first all-in-one digital music player for mainstream consumers. The Windows Media Player 7 beta version is available for download beginning today. Every Win-Jam device sold will include Windows Media Player 7 on its CD for customers to create and manage their personal digital music collections.

Win-Jam's exclusive support of Windows Media Format enables users to store twice as much CD-quality music than devices that only support MP3. In addition, Win-Jam makes an ideal SDMI-compatible device for the secure transfer and playback of music, with built-in support for Windows Media digital rights management technology, combined with the new secure portable device music transfer system in Windows Media Player 7. This built-in security enables consumers to get access to the most popular content from top artists and labels while further enabling digital music e-commerce.

"We are delighted to bring consumers the first digital audio product to exclusively support the Microsoft Windows Media Format, which is rapidly becoming standard for digital music," said Doug Marrison, president and CEO of I-Jam Multimedia. "Coupling I-Jam's pioneering technology with the easy-to-use portable device integration of Windows Media Player 7 gives consumers a new, easy-to-use class of secure digital media devices with the highest sound quality."

Win-Jam offers a complete management system for digital audio. Features include the following:

• Miniature USB cable for fast music transfer from a PC
• Two multimedia card (MMC) slots to play both MMC Flash and ROM cards
• Large LCD display shows track numbers and elapsed time
• Compact design measuring 4x2.5 inches
• Bookmark, low battery warning, electronic volume control, repeat and shuffle play
• DC adapter jack for connection to optional AC wall plug and car cigarette lighter
• Available in black, silver, yellow, transparent blue and transparent red
• CD-ROM software for installation, including Window Media Player 7 for creating and managing personal digital music collections
• Stylish back-worn earphones, neck strap and carrying case
• Uses two AAA batteries for up to eight hours of operation

"I-Jam's innovative portable music player designs have quickly made them a leader in the portable device space," said Dave Fester, general manager of marketing in the Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "Win-Jam's innovative combination of streamlined size, USB support, aggressive price point and tight integration of Windows Media offers consumers a terrific way to take their music with them anywhere."

Win-Jam Availability

To celebrate I-Jam's Win-Jam announcement and the launch of the new WindowsMedia.com, Microsoft throughout May will be giving away one Win-Jam device every day for 30 days. More information about this special promotion is available at http://windowsmedia.com/.

I-Jam has launched a new Web site located at http://www.ijamworld.com/ where consumers can learn about the new device. The Win-Jam will be offered for a suggested retail price of $129.99 and will be available on the Web and at retail stores in July.

About I-Jam Multimedia LLC

I-Jam Multimedia LLC, headquartered in Schaumburg, Ill., was formed in 1999 to develop and market micro-sized, multimedia products in the digital audio and video categories. The company is leveraging its advanced, in-house expertise in microcircuit design and development with its consumer marketing experience to create innovative solutions for the entertainment and technology industries. For more information, go to the company's Web site at http://www.ijamworld.com/.

About Windows Media

Windows Media, the leading digital media platform, provides consumers, content providers, solution providers, software developers and corporations with unmatched audio and video quality. Windows Media Technologies, which include Windows Media Player, Windows Media Services, Windows Media Tools and the Windows Media SDK, are available for download at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/. The Windows Media Player is the fastest-growing digital media player and is available in 24 languages. To date, there are over 100 million licensed copies of the Windows Media Player, growing by more than one every second.