Audible.com to Debut Next-Generation MobilePlayer-PLUS At the 1999 International Consumer Electronics Show.

WAYNE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 1998--

Playback Device For Unique Internet Audio Service Now Features

Over 7 Hours Of Playback Capacity

Audible.com announces today the upcoming release of the MobilePlayer-PLUS(TM), its 3.5-ounce mobile playback device that stores over 7 hours of spoken audio and allows listeners to download audio from the company's website for playback away from their PCs. Daily business audio subscriptions such as The Wall Street Journal on Audible, and best selling audiobooks from Stephen King and John Grisham, among many others, are included in the company's audio delivery service, drawing upon more than 15,000 hours of spoken audio.

Audible.com's next-generation device, the MobilePlayer-PLUS, stores over 7 hours of audio for playback when and where it is most convenient for the listener. The new device joins the original MobilePlayer, which has a playback capacity of 2 hours, allowing listeners the option to purchase the MobilePlayer best suited to their listening habits. MobilePlayer-PLUS offers the ability to listen to two complete abridged audiobooks and a daily three-part edition of The Wall Street Journal on Audible, or a wide range of complete unabridged audiobooks, all without reloading from the PC. This allows for convenient playback during extended airplane or automobile travel, or any other situation when reloading the device is not convenient.

Both MobilePlayers feature eyes-free, one-hand audio system navigation designed with audio prompts for easy use when driving, "smart updating" which allows for audio that has been heard to be automatically replaced by the next section of an audio title, and the ability to listen through headphones or on any car or home stereo system. The MobilePlayer-PLUS joins the first-generation MobilePlayer, as well as a group of Windows CE devices from Casio Inc., Compaq Computer Corporation, Everex Systems, Inc., and Philips Mobile Computing Group, that are "AudibleReady(TM)" and capable of storing and playing Audible.com audio.

Audible.com is the one-stop service for special delivery of the world's best audio, including The Wall Street Journal on Audible, The Economist Audio Digest, and Harvard Business Review. Listeners download audio from Audible.com and store titles on their PCs, where it can then be loaded onto any Audible-Ready device or listened to at the desktop. The site features a powerful collection of audiobooks from proven best selling authors, including Stephen King, John Grisham, Robert Ludlum, Sarah Ban Brethnach, Jon Krakauer, Scott Adams, Sue Grafton, Sidney Sheldon, Nicholas Sparks, James Redfield, Terry MacMillan, and James Patterson. With over 15,000 hours of audio newspapers, audio magazines, audiobooks, on-demand radio (including Marketplace, Nightly Business Report, Fresh Air, and Car Talk), speeches, lectures, and language learning, Audible.com offers the broadest range of audio available from one source.

"The MobilePlayer-PLUS addresses the needs of those customers who have told us that the Audible.com service has become so important to them that they want more playback time," stated Andy Huffman, Audible's president and CEO. "We've learned that their listening patterns have grown beyond their daily commute or exercise session, and have become an integral part of their everyday lifestyle. The new MobilePlayer-PLUS adds to the variety of playback devices that can access the rich content library available at Audible.com."

Pricing and Availability

Audible's MobilePlayer-PLUS will be available in January 1999 for US $299.00.

An upgrade offer will be made available to the users of Audible's first-generation MobilePlayer. Anyone may pre-register to purchase a MobilePlayer-PLUS online at www.audible.com/mpplus.

About Audible, Inc.

Founded in 1995, Audible, based in Wayne, NJ, aims to combine the growing popularity of spoken audio programming with the rapid development of commercial viability of the Internet. The company is focused on audio content sourcing, development, packaging, delivery and playback, as well as continued development of the platform, tools, services, and varied licensing opportunities afforded by the Audible MobileAudio(TM) System. The company services Internet-savvy business professionals whose primary needs are to stay informed of critical business and entertainment-based audio, which allows them to take better advantage of their commute and travel time. Audible provides unique content services that deliver premium information and entertainment when and where their customers need it.

Audible's investors include AT&T Ventures, Compaq Computer Corporation, Hambrecht & Quist LLC, The Intel Corporation, Ironwood Capital, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Patricof & Co., and TTC Ventures (The Thompson Corporation).