Press Release

June 1, 2006

ZING Mobilizes a New Class of Always-Connected Portable Media Devices through Premier Consumer Brands

Live SIRIUS Satellite Radio Programming First to be Streamed Over ZING Digital Platform

Mountain View and the D4 Conference in Carlsbad, CA — 06.01.06 — ZING, a new consumer technology company, is building an audio and entertainment engine to drive a new generation of always-connected, mobile digital devices. Today, they took the wraps off the company’s identity and unveiled plans to work with leading brands–both online and in consumer electronics–to develop audio and entertainment experiences that give people the benefits of live, always-on digital streams.

For the first time, during The Wall Street Journal’s prestigious All Things Digital: D4 Conference, ZING will demonstrate an example of the ZING software engine and wireless capabilities that bring together discovery, playback, management and purchase in a portable media device.

ZING also announced it is working with SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI), the fastest growing satellite radio service and its first collaborator, to stream live digital SIRIUS programming over mobile devices.

Bob Law, Senior Vice President and General Manager Consumer Electronic Division for SIRIUS commented: “The market for digital audio on-the-go is exploding. We are working with ZING to expand the availability of SIRIUS content on new platforms and bring the best in satellite radio programming to an increasingly mobile audience.”  

SIRIUS delivers more than 125 channels of the best programming on radio, including 100% commercial-free music, plus compelling talk shows, news, weather, traffic, comedy, information, and the most comprehensive sports programming to over 4 million subscribers across the country in digital quality sound.

ZING was founded and is led by consumer products veteran and entrepreneur Tim Bucher, who has a longtime passion for digital entertainment products. Bucher previously played major roles in technology and product development at Apple, Microsoft, WebTV and 3DO, and founded personal server company Mirra (now part of Seagate). With a team of leading engineering and business talent whose experience spans TiVo, Microsoft, Napster, Palm, Sun, WebTV, and Apple, ZING has been operating in stealth mode since January 2005. The company recently received an undisclosed investment from Redpoint Ventures.

“With one notable exception, the digital music market is tremendously fragmented, and this fragmentation has confounded music lovers and severely limited market growth and opportunity.  There is a lot of room for innovation in this market and plenty of opportunity for other players to participate more successfully in the market, but only if they can deliver a complete, easily adopted, integrated experience. If Apple has taught us anything, it is the value of an end-to-end solution,” said industry analyst Chris Shipley of the Guidewire Group. “The ZING approach is the only solution to fix this problem.”

Said ZING CEO Bucher, “Today’s portable audio devices are tethered to the PC and focused mostly on playback, limited in choice and personalization. What people really want to be able to do is enjoy digital content from one device wherever they are." 

"We’re only at the tip of the iceberg in delivering compelling mobile digital media experiences.” said Bucher. “When you are always connected, the way you listen to music will dramatically change. ZING brings digital content to you and lets you stay tuned.”

ZING Fully Integrated Experiences

ZING provides the framework for an always-connected, fully integrated audio and personal entertainment experience that spans from the device to services. The ZING solution allows its partners to choose from:

“Our partners can use their own branded hardware and/or services to create unique end-to-end integrated mobile music and entertainment experiences,” said Bucher.

The ZING engine is also the first portable audio and entertainment solution that can combine wireless and satellite radio capabilities.

About ZING

The ZING engine is redefining the portable digital audio and entertainment experience in partnership with leading consumer product and services companies. Based in Mountain View, CA, ZING was founded by one of the most experienced teams in mobile digital media products. For more information go to www.ZING.net. Stay Tuned.

Media Contact
Krause Taylor Associates
Betty J. Taylor
bettyt@krause-taylor.com
408.918.9082