The Sharper Image Hits a High Note, Introduces beamz: Laser Light and Sound Musical Instrument

Business Wire,  April 24, 2008  

Tags: laser, Sharper Image Corp.

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beamz'[TM] Technology Connects With Those Who Love Music, Inspiring Them to Create Their Own Original Performances

SAN FRANCISCO -- Proving once again that innovation is the foundation of its business, Sharper Image Corporation (Pink Sheets:SHRPQ) today announced the exclusive introduction of the beamz[TM], a sound and laser light musical instrument that plays original works in 19 genres including rock, jazz, blues, reggae, country and even hip-hop. Users can play the beamz[TM] by breaking any one of six laser beams. The player's hands trigger the system to play streams of musical notes or sounds. For skilled musicians or those who've never picked up an instrument before, the beamz[TM] inspires players; enabling them to play original music.

A recent Gallup poll found that more than half of American households have at least one member who plays a musical instrument. Known for showcasing visionary products, Sharper Image has tapped into Americans' love affair with music and their thirst for increasingly sophisticated and clever music-oriented products. "Everyone loves music and the beamz[TM] really captures its players' musical imaginations," says Robert Conway, CEO of The Sharper Image. "It's a musical device that is right in line with the needs of today's consumers, satisfying their desire for new and inventive technology, novel products, artistic expression and inspired ingenuity."

Already being buzzed about by tech bloggers and writers, the beamz[TM] was invented by accomplished musician, songwriter and producer, Jerry Riopelle. Riopelle got the idea over 40 years ago when he and his friends visited their neighborhood ice-cream store and were greeted by a light-activated door announcer. The image, always in the back of his mind even during his successful and high-profile producing career, Riopelle created a prototype for the beamz[TM] in 2001 and eventually perfected the product with the help of software engineers. Seven years and five patents later, Riopelle has created a product that is easy and fun to use and sparks the imagination of musicians and people who always dreamed of being one.

"I think anyone who plays the beamz[TM] will have as much fun as I did inventing it," says Riopelle. "It's a great product for friends and families to use together at home, playing, laughing and creating original performances that reflect their own lives." Riopelle says The Sharper Image is the perfect home for the beamz[TM], "I'm excited to have this product at The Sharper Image. It's a company that has proven its visionary thinking through the products it carries. There couldn't be a better retailer to showcase the beamz[TM] as an interactive experience."

The beamz[TM] music system has three components: Interface, Software and Music Library. The library which is the "soul" of the system, comes with 30 songs in a variety of music categories. However, each player-inspired performance is unique because the true number of arrangements is unlimited. Players can also purchase more music online at thebeamz.com. The beamz[TM] is designed to run with PCs via a USB port and some Macintosh Pro computers running virtualization software. The beamz[TM] is exclusively available for $599.95 at all Sharper Image stores, online at www.sharperimage.com, and through The Sharper Image catalog 1-800-344-4444.

About The Sharper Image

Sharper Image Corporation is a specialty retailer that is nationally and internationally renowned as a leading source of new, innovative, high-quality products that make life better and more enjoyable. The Company's principal selling channels include Sharper Image specialty stores throughout the United States; the award-winning Sharper Image monthly catalog; and its primary web site, www.sharperimage.com. The Company also has business-to-business sales teams for marketing its exclusive and proprietary products for corporate incentive and reward programs and wholesale to selected U.S. and international retailers.

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current plans, expectations, estimates, and projections about the specialty retail industry and management's beliefs about the Company's future performance. Words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "seeks," "estimates" or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and which may cause the Company's actual results and performance to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in any such forward-looking statements. Some of these risks and uncertainties are discussed in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2007 under "Risk Factors". These risks include, among other factors, the success of its new business strategy, its ability to continue to find or develop and to offer attractive merchandise to customers, the market potential for products in design, the success of its advertising efforts, changes in business and economic conditions, risks associated with its retail store, catalog and Internet operations, and changes in the competitive environment in which it operates. Unless required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements. However, readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports, which the Company files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly its Annual Report on Form 10-K, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K.