RioPort Announces Release 2.0 of Its Media Device Manager Services and Technologies, Including Support of Microsoft Windows Media Player 7

Business Wire, July 24, 2000

Business/Entertainment Editors & High-Tech/Music Writers

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 24, 2000

RioPort Releases Updated MDM SDK & DDK and Developer Support Site to

Simplify Interoperability Issues for Music Device Manufacturers

RioPort Inc., a leading Internet music application service provider (ASP), today announced an update in its Media Device Manager (MDM) Services and Technologies that will help drive the digital music market forward by assisting music device manufacturers in providing consumers with simple, secure delivery and playback of Internet music.

The MDM 2.0 Technologies includes support for Microsoft Windows Media Player 7, adding to its growing list of supported music devices, storage media and jukebox applications. RioPort's MDM Technologies and framework has been utilized by a host of leading companies in the digital audio market, including Microsoft Corp., Samsung, Nike, Compaq, MusicMatch, InterTrust, e.Digital Corp., Sonic Foundry, QDesign and Earjam, among others.

RioPort's MDM Technologies 2.0 provides an easy means for device developers to simplify and improve the consumer experience with their devices by providing enhanced compatibility in a very fragmented market. To achieve this range of interoperability previously, hardware and software developers had to create custom interfaces for each new application and device as it came to market. RioPort's MDM Technologies support multiple file formats, security schemes, DRM systems and platforms, including Windows, Macintosh and Linux.

The updated MDM Technologies includes a Device Developers Kit (DDK), Software Developers Kit (SDK), an updated developers support site at www.rioport.com and a standard set of services from RioPort aimed at greatly simplifying the job that device and application vendors have in creating compatible devices and applications.

"RioPort is pleased to continue to be a leader at implementing Windows Media Technology for ourselves and our partners," said Anthony Schaller, senior vice president and chief technology officer at RioPort Inc. "Simplifying a secure consumer experience is the key to making the digital music market grow."

"Windows Media Player 7 delivers the only all-in-one player that makes digital media accessible to mainstream consumers, both on the PC and portable devices," said Dave Fester, general manager of marketing for the Digital Media Division at Microsoft. "RioPort and Microsoft are working together to bring simple, secure music to consumers and device manufacturers."

"RioPort's MDM expertise has been a key component for addressing the download and security issues involved with Internet music appliances, as well as supporting Windows Media Technology," said Mike Reed, vice president of marketing for S3's Rio Division.

Announced music device manufacturers using RioPort services to help simplify compatibility and speed the availability of digital, tier-one, content to consumers include:

-- Nike

-- Samsung Electronics Company Ltd. of Korea

-- e.Digital

-- Maycom

-- Unitech

-- HIT

-- Sewon

About RioPort Inc.

RioPort Inc. is a leading music/audio ASP providing e-tailers with industry-standard solutions for selling music and spoken audio content to consumers in a simple and secure manner. RioPort's distribution partners include the MTVi Group, House of Blues, Ministry of Sound and others. RioPort is backed by Oak Investment Partners, Vulcan Ventures, S3 Inc., Mitsubishi Corp., EMC Corp. and Quantum Corp.