AOL's Nullsoft Winamp Unveils All New Winamp.com Web Site

Market Wire, 20050229

AOL's Nullsoft Winamp, creators of the popular Winamp audio player and SHOUTcast, today announced the launch of its redesigned Internet music site, www.winamp.com, that makes downloading and listening to quality, customized Internet music easier and more enjoyable than ever. Completely redesigned from the bottom up, Winamp.com includes a host of new features, along with a streamlined user interface, that allows easier interaction between the site and the Winamp audio player. Beginning with a cleaner and simplified appearance, the new site offers easier navigation and user-friendly tools not available on previous versions of the site. For the first time, visitors to Winamp.com are able to download music directly from the site to their Winamp audio player. The new site will feature music from download partners Mjuice.com, Audiosoft and Riffage.com and a new music directory powered by Listen.com. Now, more than 100 music selections from different genres are available for download on the Winamp site each day. The tracks are updated daily, weekly, and monthly with each of the ten genres updated every day. In addition, daily-featured selections on the Winamp site will spotlight hot, new downloads as selected by Winamp's team of music experts. "Metrics and recent studies show that online music is one of the fastest growing areas in cyberspace," said Josh Felser, general manager of Spinner.com and Nullsoft Winamp. "Through providing those interested in Internet music with the tools that make the process of downloading and listening to their favorite music easier and more enjoyable, Winamp continues to fulfil its position as the leader in the high-fidelity audio player arena." "This redesign of Winamp.com offers every resource necessary for music lovers who want to customize and develop material for the Winamp player," said Justin Frankel, founder and director of Winamp. "This redesign also takes Winamp to the next level of interactivity, allowing users to have greater control over their listening experience by providing the advanced features and convenience that continue to place Winamp at the head of the online music pack."

"We are always looking for new ways to make the online music experience more fulfilling to the more than 15 million active users of Winamp," said Ian Rogers, Webmaster of Winamp.com. "The new Winamp.com will allow online music enthusiasts with the ability to quickly access the digital music, SHOUTcast streaming radio and Winamp customizations they love from one source."

Downloading and learning to use the Winamp player is also easier than ever through a "Walkthrough" tutorial that offers step-by-step instructions on the Winamp audio player's features. Now with the new Winamp.com, those downloading the player for the first time can enjoy quality downloadable music within minutes of accessing the site.

Winamp.com also features improved tools that allow users more options in customizing their individual Winamp audio player. Hundreds of additional custom appearances or "skins", as well as visualization and audio effect "plug-ins" have been added and are available for download. In accepting user created material, Winamp has developed streamlined user administration pages to allow "plug-in" or "skin" developers to publish their work through an easy-to-use system. Creators can add, update, or remove work from the database through accessing their own personal web based account. About AOL's Nullsoft Winamp Launched in January 1998, Winamp is the world's leading high-fidelity audio player, giving millions the ability to listen to digitally downloaded music. Winamp supports MP3, CD, Audiosoft, Mjuice, MOD, WAV and other audio formats, custom appearances called skins and audio visualization and audio effect plug-ins. The Winamp (www.winamp.com) and SHOUTcast (www.shoutcast.com) brands and services were acquired by America Online, Inc. in May 1999, and merged with Spinner.com. All three brands reside in San Francisco's Audio Alley and are an integral part of AOL's Interactive Properties Group.