Interactive Pictures Comes Full Circle With Upgrades to IPIX Wizard Software.

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 1999--

Increased Ease-Of-Use and Multimedia Features Are Added To PC and Mac Versions; IPIX Wizard For Macintosh Makes Public Debut At MACWORLD

Expo

Interactive Pictures Corporation, the world leader in multi-dimensional 360-degree image technology, is ringing in the New Year with a series of new features for the company's popular IPIX Wizard for PC and Macintosh software.

The new features, including a multiple "Save-As" option and expanded Java support, enable greater flexibility and ease-of-creation for IPIX immersive images. Through the addition of these new features, IPIX has further simplified the ability of users to create compelling, high-quality IPIX images in a matter of minutes for use in a wide-range of Internet and CD-ROM applications.

Not Just For PC's

In conjunction with the announcement of the new features for the complete line of Interactive Pictures' IPIX Wizard software, the IPIX Wizard Version 2.0 for Macintosh will make its public debut at MACWORLD Expo in San Francisco. Media and consumers alike are invited to "immerse" themselves in the hottest imaging solution available today at Booth No. 3545 from January 5-8, 1999 at the Moscone Center.

"This past year was an amazing one for Interactive Pictures, as we've expanded our position as the best immersive imaging solution for business-to-business marketing. IPIX images are used by the world's leading sites for e-commerce, travel destination, news content and real estate, as well as interactive CD-ROM content," said Jim Phillips, chairman and CEO of Interactive Pictures Corporation. "Interactive Pictures developed these new features by listening to our growing customer base to learn how we could make IPIX image capture and creation even more simple. IPIX images can now be created and posted to the Web in minutes, rather than hours or days like other more cumbersome technologies which can't deliver the complete immersive experience."

1998: IPIX Technology Coming Of Age

In a year that saw IPIX images used to cover John Glenn's trip to the stars on CNN and the President's Cup in Australia on ESPN, even Walter Chronkite was not immune to the impact of IPIX images as he discussed them on air. Interactive Pictures is riding a wave of convergence in the Internet and photography industries that is contributing to the rise in popularity of IPIX technology. The falling costs of digital cameras and fisheye lenses are helping "push" IPIX technology towards the consumer market as all of the individual components required to create IPIX images become even more cost-effective. Through successful bundling deals with Nikon, Kodak and Olympus, Interactive Pictures has made it easier for business users and early adopters to obtain and use IPIX technology. Increased Internet bandwidth and the widespread migration of businesses of all sizes to E-commerce are fueling the demand for rich, interactive content such as IPIX.

"Interactive Pictures is positioning itself well in the immersive photography business, and these new features will help to further distinguishes the company from its competitors," said Suzanne Snygg, industry analyst for personal computing software at Dataquest in San Jose, Calif. "Immersive imaging has a wide array of applications on the Internet and through communications mediums such as CD-ROM and e-mail to help consumers make informed purchasing decisions and experience rich, interactive content."

Feature Roll Call: Step Inside And See The Difference!

The IPIX Wizard 2.0 for Windows and Macintosh systems is now shipping on a single hybrid CD-ROM with all new IPIX Digital Camera Kits. The software is also available to all current IPIX Wizard users free of charge. Current customers will be contacted directly by Interactive Pictures Corp. for upgrade or can call Interactive Pictures directly at 888-909-IPIX. The newest additions to the IPIX Wizard include:

Multiple Save-As Option: In previous versions of the IPIX Wizard, users could save their IPIX image as either a low resolution, high resolution or Java file at the cost of one IPIX "key" for each file. IPIX now offers all three options for the price of one "key," a cost saving of $50 per image captured!

Camera Calibration/Image Alignment Adjustment: Interactive Pictures has eliminated the need to load a "camera calibration" file in addition to the IPIX Wizard software when using the IPIX-enabled cameras from Kodak, Nikon and Olympus. The intuitive IPIX Wizard will now automatically calibrate the users camera with the fisheye lens to ensure the highest quality IPIX immersive images. The software will also automatically correct for minor variations in camera set up or placement during the "seaming" of the two IPIX hemispheres. This new feature also enables owners of supported Nikon, Olympus and Kodak digital cameras to utilize an IPIX Digital Camera Starter Kit to upgrade their existing flat image cameras to capture multi-dimensional IPIX images.

Thumbnail Section Option: When an IPIX image is saved, a thumbnail image is created to allow for a quick preview. The IPIX Wizard is now able to create both a flat image showing the initial IPIX view or a wide-angle view of the initial IPIX hemisphere. Content creators can pick whichever preview best fits their particular application without having to take time to create a customized preview.

Advanced HotSpots: IPIX will now include a URL HotSpot-enabled tripod cap that will automatically launch the user's browser and teleport the viewer to that Web site. This feature is ideal for Web marketing in any industry, from real estate and travel/tourism, to online ticket sales and product promotion.

Expanded Java Support: IPIX images are now viewable by a larger number of Web surfers and photo-enthusiasts without the wait for a plug-in download. The IPIX Java Viewer Applet now adds backward support for both Microsoft(R) Internet Explorer 3.x and Netscape Navigator 3.x browsers. With support for Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.x/4.x and Netscape Navigator 3.x/4.x, IPIX viewing has reached a new level of ease.

IPIX Images Are Driving E-Commerce, Web Traffic And Sales

Professional photographers, Realtors, hoteliers, automotive manufacturers and web developers are energizing e-commerce and increasing revenues simply by adding more depth and interactivity to a photograph. Resulting IPIX are ideal for posting to Web sites, CD-ROM and other multimedia applications to bring photographs to life. For companies investing in the Internet and digital media as tools for information dissemination and sales generation, IPIX has proven to deliver increased web site hits/visits, increased revenues and recognition for innovative companies capitalizing on this new form of photography.

About Interactive Pictures Corporation

Interactive Pictures Corporation has reinvented photography for businesses and consumers through its patented IPIX technology. An IPIX immersive image "teleports" people to and immerses them in a 360-degree-by-360-degree image. With technology originally developed on behalf of NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy as a means to view and handle hazardous environments from a safe distance, an IPIX places viewers in the center of a picture, allowing them to navigate the environment in real time. IPIX is the only photography solution to deliver a completely immersive photographic experience providing interactive, spherical images. An IPIX takes the viewer from earth to sky and horizon to horizon, all from two simple opposing photographs captured by a fisheye lens and seamlessly blended together.

Interactive Pictures has helped numerous organizations create virtual tours and redefine digital marketing/electronic commerce efforts including Microsoft, AOL, Disney, Hilton Hotels, Toyota, Intel, Rent.Net, Coldwell Banker, CNN, The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, Discovery Communications, the NFL and the NBA. Interactive Pictures maintains corporate headquarters in Oak Ridge, Tenn. and San Jose, Calif. The privately held company has received equity investments from Motorola, Discovery Communications, Advance Publications and Media One Group. Experience IPIX and learn more about Interactive Pictures at www.ipix.com.

Note to Editors: Interactive Pictures, IPIX and Steerable video are trademarks of Interactive Pictures Corporation. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.