Audible.com Introduces New Download and Streaming Options for Spoken Audio Listening.

Business and Technology Editors

PC Expo 2000

Booth no.3872

WAYNE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 27, 2000

New Audio File Formats Offer Higher Sound Fidelity, Providing

More Choice and Flexibility for Listeners

Audible, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBL) today announced the introduction of three new audio file formats for listening to the extensive collection of premium spoken word audio from the company's Web site at www.audible.com(TM). The new formats, or codecs, are designed to provide customers with significantly improved sound quality options while continuing to be easy to use for audio downloads and streaming. Audible is the Internet's largest, most diverse provider of premium spoken audio services and content featuring more than 22,000 hours of premium spoken audio for download or playback on personal computers or any AudibleReady(R) portable digital audio player.

Each of the three new codecs is optimized to play high quality downloaded audio on AudibleReady mobile audio players and personal computers, as well as for streaming audio titles with RealPlayer or Windows Media Player. Information regarding specific codecs and the mobile devices that play them is available at www.audible.com. Audible's original, smaller file-size, fast download codec will continue to be offered along with the three new formats. All four codecs are also capable of playing spoken audio content at a personal computer using the AudibleManager(TM) desktop software, which helps manage audio downloads and both desktop and mobile listening.

"With these new options that allow the listener to personalize the Audible experience based on the speed of their Internet connection and the user's choice of AudibleReady portable digital players, Audible has advanced our leading market position to create the best environment for accessing premium, secure spoken word audio," commented Thomas Baxter, president and CEO of Audible, Inc.

"Our mission is to continually improve the Audible service with enhancements to our customer support, infrastructure and the overall listening experience," added Mr. Baxter. "The highest quality audible.com codec will be especially advantageous to those with high-speed data lines who use the Diamond Rio 500 digital audio player."

Dr. Joseph Armao, an Audible customer, offered his own perspective, "The variety of content choices and the very attractive price structure make audible.com an excellent value for consumers. The choice of higher sound quality will allow for superior audio fidelity essential for the many rich and highly produced audio programs that include music, multiple voices and ambient sounds. Audible's download servers are designed for optimum speed, and with broader bandwidth connections the size of an audio file is less and less of a concern. This is an important advance."

The three new codecs are: ACELP(R).net 8.5 (kbps) for a smaller file size and quicker download, ACELP(R).net 16 (kpbs) for broader band downloads and MP3 32 (kbps) for the highest fidelity sound and largest file size.

Among other advantages, the two new ACELP(R).net codecs provide AudibleReady Pocket PC users with the ability to increase the sound quality of spoken audio content purchased from audible.com. The ACELP(R).net codecs are developed by Montreal-based VoiceAge Corporation. The Canadian company specializes in the development, integration and commercial marketing of applications and products that require the digital processing of voice or audio.

As one of many benefits of the new codecs, Baxter cited a related announcement about today's introduction at audible.com of National Public Radio(R) programs, including Morning Edition(R), All Things Considered(R) and Talk of the Nation(R). In addition to NPR(R) audio, Audible now offers radio programming from award-winning audio documentarians featuring production sound quality better suited to the new higher quality codecs. These include recently named MacArthur Foundation fellow David Isay, Peabody Award-winner Jay Allison, Tony Kahn and Joe Richman, whose independent audio productions are frequently heard on public radio stations across the United States.

The new codecs will also be particularly valuable for those accessing distinctive audio productions such as science-fiction titles with special sound effects, spirituality titles that include meditations with music, dramatic presentations and children's programs that include music and songs.

About Audible, Inc.

Audible is the Internet's largest, most diverse provider of premium spoken audio services for content download or playback on personal computers or AudibleReady(TM) mobile devices. Audible allows customers to take advantage of their commuting, travel and desktop computer time by delivering premium entertainment and information audio while their eyes are busy but their minds are free. Audible's content partners include leading audiobook publishers, broadcasters, magazine and newspaper publishers, business information providers, and educational and cultural institutions. Visitors to www.audible.com(TM) can browse, sample, purchase and subscribe to more than 22,000 hours of audio programs. Audible.com is Amazon.com's exclusive provider of spoken word products for downloading or streaming via the Web. Additionally, the Company is strategically aligned with Random House, Inc., to pioneer the first-ever imprint to produce spoken word content specifically suited for digital distribution, Random House Audible. Among the company's key business partners are Casio Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation, S3 Incorporated's Rio Audio Group, Microsoft Corporation, Royal Philips Electronics, RealNetworks, Inc., Texas Instruments and VoiceAge Corp.

AudibleReady and www.audible.com are trademarks of Audible, Inc.

ACELP and VoiceAge are either registered trademarks or trademarks of VoiceAge Corporation in Canada and / or other countries.

This press release contains information that is not historical fact and may be deemed to contain forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, Audible's limited operating history, history of losses, uncertain market for its services, and its inability to license or produce compelling audio content and other risks and uncertainties detailed in the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.