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Creative Labs launches NOMAD portable digital audio players

Creative also introduces NOMADWorld, a Web Destination Dedicated to the Internet Audio Experience with Information on products, trends and tools
Johannesburg, 22 Jul 1999

Creative Labs, the renowned innovator of market-leading multimedia solutions for personal entertainment, introduces its highly-anticipated Creative NOMAD line of portable digital audio players this month. Leveraging its more than 20 years of expertise in industry-leading digital audio technology, the Creative NOMAD portable players offer consumers a new way to download, transport and playback digital audio. Creative NOMAD players are offered in a solid-state, highly compact, magnesium case - designed to offer Internet audio and music enthusiasts a high-quality portable experience for digital music and audio.

Creative NOMAD`s advanced features include voice recording, an FM Tuner, an LCD screen with scrolling text to view artist name and song title and rechargeable batteries. Creative NOMAD portable players are available in two versions, a 64MB and a 32MB version. Weighing in at under 2.5 ounces, both versions of the Creative NOMAD offer support for the popular MP3 (MPEG 1, layer 3) audio compression standard and deliver skip-free playback. The 64MB model offers additional media for up to two hours of near CD-quality music or up to four hours of voice recording or spoken word audio. Using the Creative Digital Audio Center, Creative NOMAD users may also convert their CD collections into MP3 files for their own personal use, giving them the ultimate in personal audio content customization.

"Creative have focused on offering a complete solution for the digital audio arena. With its many unique features the Nomad positions itself as the leader in digital audio player technology" said Michael Stanley, Marketing manager at Multimedia Warehouse.

Features, Features, Features The compact, sleek Creative NOMAD is smaller than a deck of cards and available in a high-tech design with a unique magnesium casing. Both versions of the Creative NOMAD come equipped with an AC power adapter and two rechargeable nickel metal hydride AAA batteries. The NOMAD players can playback 8 to 10 hours of continuous music and audio. Both versions include 32MB of onboard flash memory, offering up to 60 minutes of high-quality audio storage and playback. A 32MB flash memory upgrade card is included with the 64MB version of the Creative NOMAD, doubling the capacity of current players on the market today. Also included with both models are high-quality, compact earphones and a parallel port connector cable. Additional features include:

  • FM Tuner - a feature consumers have demanded since the first day a portable digital audio player hit the market.

  • Creative NOMAD desktop docking station - allows users to simply slip the Creative NOMAD into a desktop cradle, download their customized content and go - eliminating the need to connect and disconnect the player to a parallel port - an inconvenience found in first-generation players.

  • Voice recording - a unique feature found in both versions of the Creative NOMAD which allows users to record up to four hours of voice-quality audio with 64MB of memory and upload voice recordings to the PC for storage and archiving. This feature makes the Creative NOMAD the ultimate solution for mobile warriors, journalists or anyone who needs a convenient method for recording.

  • Accessories -Creative also plans to make available additional accessories: 64MB flash memory upgrade card, a car adapter kit, carrying case and headsets.

  • NOMAD Manager software - lets users easily download MP3 files to the player in a matter of seconds.

  • The Creative Digital Audio Center - allows users to encode, decode and archive MP3 files, as well as convert an unlimited number of CD tracks from personal CD collections and catalog them according to preference (unlike competing models on the market with limited record and conversion capabilities.)

  • Compilation CDs - bundled with the Creative NOMAD, these CDs will include more than 100 free MP3 songs from a variety of genres provided by Creative`s content partners GoodNoise Corporation, MP3.com, Audio Explosion, Inc., songs.com , SINC Recordings, www.BigHeavyWorld.com and a host of spoken-word and news audio content and software from Audible, Inc. and audiohighway.com.

  • Environmental Audio - for users who own a Sound Blaster Live! or Sound Blaster Live! Value, their digital audio listening experience can be greatly enhanced by applying Creative`s Environmental Audio effects. These Environmental Audio enhanced files can be downloaded to the Creative NOMAD players. With Environmental Audio, users can interactively enrich their listening experience and recreate almost any real or imaginary acoustical setting - from a concert stadium to an intimate jazz club.

Destination NOMADWorld

Creative has established NOMADWorld.com as a premiere online destination devoted to enhancing the digital audio experience for Creative NOMAD users, Internet audio listeners and music enthusiasts. In collaboration with a number of leading partners, NOMADWorld offers a unique mix of regularly refreshed, high quality programming to address a variety of interests. NOMADWorld, provides not only content, but technologies, tools, accessories and tips that will transform the experience of enjoying and creating Internet Music. Creative have developed NOMADWorld as a unique place for customers to share the Internet audio phenomenon.

Pricing and Availability

The 64MB version of Creative NOMAD will be available this month for an estimated retail price of R2 499. The 32MB version will be available later in the year.

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Creative Technology

Creative Technology Ltd. develops, manufactures and markets a wide array of advanced multimedia solutions for the PC, entertainment, education, music and productivity tools markets. Creative`s products are marketed through the OEM, systems integrator and retail channels under a variety of trademarks, including the "Blaster" family name. With the new Sound Blaster PCI standard, Creative has produced a solution that utilizes a combination of hardware and software for near-perfect compatibility with existing DOS and Windows titles. Creative`s corporate headquarters and primary manufacturing are based in Singapore, with sales, distribution and research and development being carried out through an extensive, global network of subsidiaries located in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Creative Labs is distributed throughout South Africa by Multimedia Warehouse. Should you require more information please contact Nir Grodzian (Creative Labs) on 011-805 0188 or Michael Stanley/Johan Steyn (Multimedia Warehouse) on 011-315 1000.