NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Michael Bingham or Ronald Ching
Maples Communications, Inc.
949-855-3555
mbingham@maples.com
rching@maples.com
TOSHIBA UNVEILS NEW gigabeat MP3 PLAYER DESIGNED FOR ENHANCED AUDIO EXPERIENCE
gigabeat U-Series Enables Direct-to-MP3 Player CD Ripping Technology, Integrated FM Tuner for Greater Listening Options
IRVINE, Calif., (July 24, 2007)–Toshiba’s Digital Products Division, a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today expanded its portfolio of mobile technologies with the addition of the gigabeat MP3 player. Toshiba’s gigabeat U-Series is a freshly designed digital music player with direct-to-MP3 player music ripping technology, FM tuner and radio recorder.
Every gigabeat U-Series MP3 player is equipped with a 2GB1 NAND flash drive, providing ample space for storing nearly 500 songs2 and 2,000 photos2. Additionally, users can conveniently transfer songs from CDs directly to the gigabeat U-Series through its line-in headphone jack. As a result, users who are away from a computer can still transfer music without having to first copy it onto a computer by ripping it directly into the gigabeat.
Further supplying users with variety, the gigabeat is outfitted with an internal FM tuner and recorder. With the tuner, users can easily listen to their favorite live radio station feeds or record a song to be enjoyed later. The gigabeat can store up to 10 preset radio stations for greater ease of use.
“We are very proud of the new gigabeat U-Series. It’s the perfect straight forward device for users who are looking for a way to take their favorite songs with them everywhere,” said Jeff Barney, vice president of marketing, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. “And beyond being easy to use, it’s aesthetically beautiful.”
Weighing in at 1.48 oz, the gigabeat U-Series is a light weight, palm-sized device that’s available in either a stunning silver or black aluminum enclosure. Each gigabeat sports a chrome PlusPadTM control button and a rich color 1.1-inch OLED display for a more profound visual experience. The result of such attention to detail is an MP3 player that’s durable, easy to navigate and striking to look at.
The gigabeat U-Series’ Li-ion battery supports up to 20 hours3 of continuous playback and plays today’s most popular audio file formats, including MP3, WMA and WAV. For enhanced audio quality, the gigabeat U-Series’ built in equalizer allows users to adjust the sound output by using preset settings or by manually adjusting the highs and lows.
The Toshiba gigabeat U-Series is compatible with Windows Media Player version 10 and above, making the transfer of entire media collections a few simple clicks away.
The gigabeat U-series has a starting price of $994 and is available at www.toshibadirect.com, as well as a variety of major consumer electronics and computer stores nationwide with the following specifications:
gigabeat U-Series: U202 Unique Specifications (ESUP $994)
• Audio playback format
o MP3, WMA, WAV
• Photo format
o JPEG
• Built-in Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
o Up to 20 hours3 of audio playback
o Full-charge in approx. 2 to 2.4 hours via USB or AC adapter
• 2GB NAND flash memory
• Color panel 1.1-inch diagonal OLED
• FM Tuner
o 76-108MHz FM frequency band
o 10 stations / presets
o Auto scan / manual scan
• Equalizer: 6 modes with flat
• Dimensions: 3.02″ x 1.43″ x .45″
• Weight: 1.48 oz
The gigabeat U-Series is available with a one-year standard, limited warranty5. All new Toshiba consumer products are RoHS-compatible6, effectively reducing the environmental impact by restricting the use of lead, mercury and certain other hazardous substances. Toshiba also offers a trade-in and recycling program to reduce environmental impact and promote efficient utilization of resources. The gigabeat and all Toshiba computers qualify for free recycling, while non-Toshiba computers and other consumer electronic products can be recycled for a small fee. For more information please visit: www.reuse.toshiba.com.
About Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. (TAIS)
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., TAIS is comprised of four business units: Digital Products Division, Imaging Systems Division, Storage Device Division, and Telecommunication Systems Division. Together, these divisions provide mobile products and solutions, including industry leading portable computers; projectors; imaging products for the security, medical and manufacturing markets; storage products for automotive, computer and consumer electronics applications; and telephony equipment and associated applications.
TAIS provides sales, marketing and services for its wide range of information products in the United States and Latin America. TAIS is an independent operating company owned by Toshiba America, Inc., a subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, which is a global leader in high technology and integrated manufacturing of electrical and electronic components, products and systems, as well as major infrastructure systems. Toshiba has more than 191,000 employees worldwide and annual sales of over US $60 billion (FY2006). For more information on Toshiba’s leading innovations, visit the company’s Web site at www.toshiba.com.
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1. Flash Memory Capacity. Flash memory devices as well as the PC’s operating system calculate the storage capacity as 1GB (gigabyte) = 230 = 1,073,741,824 bytes. Available storage capacity will be less as some listed capacity is used for formatting and other functions. See Legal Footnote at www.info.toshiba.com.
2. Media Storage. Based on 4mb per song and 1mb per photo.
3. Battery. Battery life may vary. See Battery Life Legal Footnotes at www.info.toshiba.com.
4. Price. Reseller prices may vary. ESUP means “Estimated Single Unit Price.
5. Warranty. The terms and conditions of Toshiba’s standard limited warranty, extended warranty and service upgrade terms and conditions are available at www.warranty.toshiba.com.
6. RoHS. This product is compatible with European Union Directive 2002/95/EC. See RoHS legal footnote at www.info.toshiba.com.
© 2007 Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All product, service and company names are trademarks, registered trademarks or service marks of their respective owners. Information including without limitation product prices, specifications, availability, content of services, and contact information is subject to change without notice.
