REDMOND, Wash. and WAYNE, N.J., -- Aug. 16, 1999 - Microsoft Corp. and Audible Inc. have expanded their strategic relationship, and Audible will support Microsoft^® Windows Media™ Technologies 4.0. As a result of this development, millions of users of Windows Media Player worldwide will gain access to Audible's premium spoken-audio content.

Today's announcement represents both companies' aligned efforts in the field of secure Internet audio delivery. Audible and Microsoft will work together, taking advantage of the extensibility of Windows Media Technologies 4.0 to be AudibleReady™, supporting the key features and functionality required for an optimum premium spoken-audio experience.

In conjunction with today's announcement, a free preview (connect-time charges may apply) of Audible's spoken-audio service is now available at MSN™ WindowsMedia.com at http://windowsmedia.com/. An overview of the preview and coming events can also be found at http://www.audible.com/windowsmedia/. The selection includes top-selling audio books such as John Krakauer's "Into Thin Air," Steve Martin's "Pure Drivel" and Jewel's "Night Without Armor" as well as daily feeds of the New York Times on audio and the Joke of the Day. Audible plans to make its extensive library of premium spoken audio available in Windows Media format later in the year.

Audible's broad collection of audio books, audio magazines and daily audio digests of leading newspapers from over 100 content providers will be available for seamless PC-based playback using the Windows Media Player, representing a significant addition to the listening options available to users of Windows Media. Further, the companies will collaborate to extend Windows Media and the AudibleReady program to a variety of portable devices.

"The extensibility of Windows Media and Microsoft's commitment to enable strong copyright protection make it an ideal platform to which Audible can add value," said Andy Huffman, Audible Inc. president and CEO. "We look forward to making Audible's exciting spoken-audio service available for both PC-based and mobile listening through portable devices that support Windows Media Technologies and are AudibleReady."

"Audible has been an innovator in creating one of the most extensive collections of premium spoken-audio content on the Internet," said Will Poole, general manager of the Streaming Media Division at Microsoft. "Our continued relationship with Audible means that the more than 40 million users of Windows Media Player - more than one new user every second - will be able to enjoy Audible's broad selection of content."