[March 22, 2004] Virgin Mobile USA Expands Youth-Minded Handset Portfolio to Include New Vox 8610 by Audiovox WARREN, N.J. and HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, just in time for spring break, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC and Audiovox Communications Corporation introduced the Vox 8610 handset designed with the youth market on the brain. A sleek and compact flip phone, the Vox 8610 boasts Virgin Mobile- custom graphics, a vibrant color screen and the latest in ringtone offerings: Superphonic Ringtones. The launch of the Vox 8610 reaffirms our commitment to offering young people handsets with style, value and features that break new ground while remaining relevant to their interests, said Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA. We see the Vox 8610 as a strong fit with our customers' lifestyles, as well as a terrific showcase for some of our newest, music- driven content. The introduction of the Vox 8610 coincides with the launch of two new Virgin Mobile music offerings, Superphonic Ringtones and Song ID. Superphonic Ringtones crank up the dial on polyphonic ringtones, delivering actual music clips from users' favorite artists. Song ID gives Virgin Mobile users the ability to ID songs on the fly. In addition, everyone choosing the Vox 8610 will have access to all of Virgin Mobile's VirginXtras -- a host of music, entertainment and lifestyle applications -- and exclusive MTV content via the *MTV wireless portal. We're confident Virgin Mobile's customers will be drawn to the Vox 8610 because of its compact size, vibrant color screen and user-friendly features, said ACC president and CEO, Philip Christopher. Our first Virgin Mobile phone, the Vox 8500, was a strong product with the youth market, and we expect this new handset to be an even greater success. The Vox 8610 follows in the footsteps of the enormously successful Vox 8500 handset, debuted by Virgin Mobile and Audiovox in spring 2003. Wireless upstart Virgin Mobile is the first U.S. wireless provider to focus exclusively on the needs and lifestyles of the youth market. Audiovox Communications Corp. is a majority-owned subsidiary of Audiovox Corporation . Major Music Features Music lovers really have something to celebrate with the launch of Superphonic Ringtones -- an enhanced ringtone platform with true audio reproduction of an original recording, voice or sound. With sounds that are the actual songs and voices, Superphonic Ringtones drop polyphonic ringtones in the audio dustbin alongside LPs and 8-tracks. Superphonic Ringtones cost up to $2.50 each and are available for browsing and purchase at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/. Song ID, powered by Musicphone, is the salvation for anyone who hears a hot track, but can't place the artist or title. Whether they're in a club or listening to the radio, all a Virgin Mobile user needs to do is dial *ID and hold their Virgin Mobile phone up to the source of the sound for 15 seconds. Virgin Mobile quickly sends back a text message with the track name and artist -- all at the price of only $1.00 per use plus airtime. The entire Song ID experience takes less than a minute and currently has name recognition for over 1.8 million tracks, a number that's growing daily. The service is expected to be available on all Virgin Mobile handsets in April The Specs Custom built with America's youth in mind, the Vox 8610 features dual LCD displays with a main color 65K TFT 1.8 LCD display and a black and white TFT 1 LCD outer display. The phone comes with a built-in two-way speakerphone, vibrating alert, CMX 32 polyphonic ringtones and two-way short message service. The Vox 8610 will be available through Virgin Mobile retailer partners for a MSRP of $119.99. These stores include Amazon.com, Best Buy, CompUSA, Media Play, Sam Goody, Sprint Stores, Target Stores, Wal-Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. It's also available online 24/7 at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/. About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC: Virgin Mobile USA, LLC is the fastest growing wireless carrier in the U.S. Since its national launch in July of 2002, more than one million wireless users have chosen Virgin Mobile's Pay As You Go service with no contracts and no hidden fees. All Virgin Mobile customers have access to VirginXtras -- a host of music, entertainment and fun lifestyle features, including exclusive content from strategic partner MTV: Music Television. Virgin Mobile, the first mobile virtual network operator in the U.S., is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates the largest 100- percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. Virgin Mobile phones and Top-Up cards are available direct on the Web at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/; at 888-322-1122; or, at more than 12,000 locations, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, CompUSA, Media Play, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sam Goody, Sprint Stores, Target Stores, Wal*Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. Top-Up cards are also available at more than 40,000 locations, including Circle K, CVS and 7-Eleven stores. About Audiovox Communications Corporation: Audiovox Communications Corp. (ACC), a majority owned subsidiary of Audiovox Corporation , is one of the leading suppliers of wireless handsets and pocket pc products in North and South America. Audiovox supplies mobile products to wireless carriers using both the CDMA and GSM /GPRS technology platforms. For more information, visit http://www.audiovox.com/. Except for historical information contained herein, statements made in this release that would constitute forward-looking statements may involve certain risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements made in this release are based on currently available information and the Company assumes no responsibility to update any such forward-looking statement. The following factors, among others, may cause actual results to differ materially from the results suggested in the forward-looking statements. The factors include, but are not limited to, risks that may result from changes in the Company's business operations; our ability to keep pace with technological advances; significant competition in the mobile and consumer electronics businesses as well as the wireless business; our relationships with key suppliers and customers; quality and consumer acceptance of newly introduced products; market volatility; non-availability of product; excess inventory; price and product competition; new product introductions; the possibility that the review of our prior filings by the SEC may result in changes to our financial statements; and the possibility that stockholders or regulatory authorities may initiate proceedings against Audiovox and/or our officers and directors as a result of any restatements. Risk factors associated with our business, including some of the facts set forth herein, are detailed in the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal fourth quarter and year ended November 30, 2003. Audiovox Communications Corporation; Virgin Mobile USA, LLC CONTACT: Alysia Pappas, [email protected], or Joseph Vasquez,[email protected], both of Audiovox Communications Corp., +1-212-725-4500;or Anne Green, +1-212-455-8017, [email protected], or Faye Nikolaidis,+1-212-455-8078, [email protected], both of Virgin Mobile USA, LLC Web site: http://www.audiovox.com/http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]