Find the Best MP3 Players and Digital Music Gifts with MP3.com's Holiday Gift Guide

Business Wire, Nov 16, 2004

SAN FRANCISCO -- MP3.com, a leading unbiased content and discovery resource for music fans and a property of CNET Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNET), today launched its first Holiday Gift Guide, a complete resource on the world of digital music for this year's holiday shoppers. The guide, which can be found at http://www.mp3.com/giftguide, includes a complete round-up of digital music products for every budget as well as great gift ideas for music fans that already own an MP3 player.

According to IDC, the worldwide MP3 player market is expected to reach nearly US$58 billion in revenues by 2008, representing a five-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20%. This is being driven by a variety of factors including falling price points, the availability of music from legitimate online music services, and the integration of compressed audio support in a wide variety of digital devices, including DVD players and gaming devices, making it one of the most popular gift options this holiday season.

"Music-related gifts are always popular for the holidays, but this year with the new array of digital music options, buyers need to know where to turn for unbiased recommendations," said Eliot Van Buskirk, section editor of MP3.com. "Even the most seasoned digital music user may have a tough time figuring out what MP3 player to buy someone, which is why we created a holiday gift guide that offers MP3 newbies and more experienced users a few easy ways to compare and pick the best digital music gifts on the market today."

To help people find the right products, the editors created a list of MP3 players based on price that can fit a wide range of budgets. Everything from the $50 Rio S-10 to the latest Apple iPod, which retails for more than $400 is included. Each recommendation links to a detailed review outlining the MP3 player's design, unique features, and performance as well as a compatibility chart that lets shoppers see what digital music download services work with the selected product.

Knowing that many people already own MP3 players, MP3.com's Holiday Gift Guide also includes a special section dedicated to digital music accessories that offers shoppers a selection of options from high quality headphones to special gear to use an iPod or other MP3 player in the car.

Having addressed users who need the best all-around MP3 player in a specific budget, MP3.com's Holiday Gift Guide also includes a list of the best MP3 players for niche activities -- everything from swimming to photography.

About MP3.com

MP3.com is a comprehensive, next-generation digital music discovery and content resource that caters to the way people learn about and listen to music today. As an objective, unbiased interactive media resource, MP3.com is free from restrictions that would cause it to favor one music format, technology, editorial resource, or genre. MP3.com is a CNET Networks brand (www.cnetnetworks.com).

About CNET Networks, Inc.

CNET Networks, Inc. (www.cnetnetworks.com) is a premier global interactive content company that informs, entertains, and connects large, engaged audiences around topics of high information need or personal passion. The company focuses on three categories -- personal technology, games and entertainment, and business technology -- and includes such leading brands as CNET, ZDNet, TechRepublic, MP3.com, GameSpot, CNET Download.com, CNET News.com, Webshots, Computer Shopper magazine, and CNET Channel. With a strong presence in the US, Asia and Europe, CNET Networks has operations in 12 countries.