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[March 22, 2004] Plantronics Broadens Bluetooth(R) Product Family with New M2500 Headset for Consumers ATLANTA, CTIA WIRELESS 2004, March 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Plantronics, Inc., , the world leader in lightweight communications headsets, today launched its M2500 Bluetooth(R) headset, bringing the benefits of wireless freedom to consumers in a new, feature rich, stylish design. The M2500 rounds out Plantronics' family of mobile wireless products by giving personal and professional users a lower priced, hands-free, Bluetooth headset. Plantronics will showcase the M2500 along with its full suite of wireless headset solutions in Hall B-5, Booth #5147, at the CTIA Wireless 2004 trade show, held here, March 22-24.The M2500 also features a convenient, intuitive call control button design that gives users the freedom to answer and end calls with one touch and to access voice dialing. Users with a Bluetooth phone that supports the hands-free profile can also call the last number dialed and reject an incoming call -- all directly from the headset. Demand for Bluetooth devices and hands-free wireless communication tools is growing among all market segments, including the consumer. The M2500 fills the need for a lower-priced Bluetooth headset that bridges the gap between corded and wireless products, said Lori Langona, product marketing manager for Plantronics. This new headset adds to our already sizable family of Bluetooth offerings and allows us to provide a comprehensive range of quality headset solutions that match the mobile lifestyle and workstyle of a variety of users. The awareness level of Bluetooth for the average U.S. consumer is rapidly increasing, said Joyce Putscher, research director, In-Stat/MDR. We expect U.S. demand for hands-free Bluetooth solutions, like headsets, to rise due to more laws that encourage the use of hands-free devices. Plantronics is a strong, well-known player in the headset market and is in a position to offer value to the general consumer market. Plantronics' Family of Bluetooth Products The addition of the M2500 Bluetooth headset provides a complete range of wireless solutions, each of which is tailored to match the needs of a variety of mobile users: -- The M2500 is an excellent choice for price-conscious consumers and for professionals who prefer a lightweight, stylish design; -- The award-winning M3000 headset is designed for users who require maximum talk and standby time; and -- The M3500 headset is ideal for the mobile professional who requires superior audio quality, even in noisy environments. Plantronics' family of Bluetooth products work with any Bluetooth device that supports a headset or hands-free profile, including computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), PCs, smartphones and automotive telematics. Specifications, Pricing and Availability The M2500 includes a status indicator to apprise users of power status, and is equipped for in-car charging(1). The product will be available worldwide this summer through retail outlets and at http://www.plantronics.com/. The M2500 will have an MSRP of US$89.95. The Plantronics M3000 is currently available worldwide through select retail outlets, and has an MSRP of US$139.95, and the M3500 will be available worldwide in April 2004 through select outlets and have an MSRP of US$169.95. All products include a one-year warranty with Plantronics' world-class service and support. About Bluetooth Bluetooth(R) is a low-power, short-range wireless technology that eliminates the cables and wires that currently connect most computing and communications devices. Plantronics was one of the earliest members of the Bluetooth consortium (number 20), and was the first headset company to join the Bluetooth initiative, which now includes more than 2000 companies. Plantronics is now an Associate Member of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Associate Members are a select group of the consortium with early access to working drafts of specifications for new Bluetooth functions, and the opportunity to become more active in technical working groups. About Plantronics Plantronics introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is recognized as the world leader in communications headsets. A publicly held company with approximately 2,700 employees, Plantronics is the leading provider of headsets to telephone companies and the business community worldwide. Plantronics headsets are also used widely in many Fortune 500 corporations and have been featured in numerous motion pictures and high-profile events, including Neil Armstrong's historic One small step for man transmission from the moon in 1969. Plantronics, Inc., headquartered in Santa Cruz, California, was founded in 1961 and maintains offices in 20 countries. Plantronics products are sold and supported through a worldwide network of authorized Plantronics marketing partners. Information about the company and its products can be found at http://www.plantronics.com/ or by calling 800-544-4660. This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be deemed as forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include the possibility that: Plantronics will not be able to ship our products by the anticipated date, these wireless products will not adequately perform all the functionalities in accordance with their specifications, and other risks that are described from time to time in Plantronics Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including but not limited to Plantronics report on Form 10-Q filed on February 6, 2004 and Plantronics' annual report on Form 10-K filed on June 2, 2003. These filings can be accessed over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov/. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize or any of these assumptions prove incorrect, Plantronics' results could differ materially from Plantronics' expectations. Plantronics assumes no obligation and does not intend to update these forward-looking statements. NOTE: Plantronics, SoundGuide, the logo design, and Plantronics and the logo design combined, are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics Inc. Bluetooth is a trademark owned by Bluetooth SIG Inc., and is used by Plantronics under license. All other products or service names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners For more information contact: Joanna Andrade Porter Novelli for Plantronics 408-571-2334 [email protected] (1) Charger not included. Plantronics, Inc., CONTACT: Joanna Andrade of Porter Novelli, +1-408-571-2334, [email protected], for Plantronics Web site: http://www.plantronics.com/ |