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Say 'No Contracts'! Virgin Mobile USA Debuts Its First Camera Phone - The Flasher V7 by Audiovox
WARREN, N.J. and HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Finally, the wireless industry is giving customers a reason to smile. Pay As You Go pioneer Virgin Mobile USA and handset partner Audiovox Communications today announced the very first camera phone to hit the wireless provider's handset line-up.
A picture-perfect little number that comes in shiny navy blue or silver, the Flasher V7 flip phone makes its appearance in stores this October with a flash camera, two-way picture messaging, Superphonic (or real music) ringtones, downloadable games and custom Virgin Mobile graphics. The Flasher V7 will also be the first Virgin Mobile handset to plug into the company's new higher speed network capabilities.
"The camera phone Virgin Mobile brought to market had to meet our demographic's demand for style, substance and affordability," said Dan Schulman, CEO of Virgin Mobile USA. "With real music ringtones and downloadable games, the Flasher V7 does all of this and then some."
The Flasher V7 follows in the footsteps of two enormously successful handsets previously debuted by the two companies: the Vox 8500 (Spring 2003) and the Vox 8610 (Spring 2004). 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 .
"Virgin Mobile's customers are going to love the range of new capabilities offered by the Flasher V7, not to mention its sleek size, vibrant color graphics and all-around good looks," said ACC president and CEO, Philip Christopher. "The photo capabilities of the Flasher make it a great companion to the music-focused handset we launched with Virgin Mobile earlier this year - the Vox 8610. We are dedicated to helping Virgin Mobile develop a handset line that really speaks to the key passions driving the youth market."
Crank it Up!
The introduction of the Flasher V7 coincides with the launch of Virgin Mobile's new higher speed and bandwidth network capabilities - which will take the Virgin Mobile experience to a whole new level.
Known by "wireless wonks" as 1xRTT, the new network platform means a wider selection of content and features for Virgin Mobile customers, and a richer overall experience.
"This phone not only has a range of features that make it an indispensable lifestyle tool, it serves as our customers' first gateway to the power of our new platform," said Schulman. "The benefits of greater bandwidth will be immediately tangible to anyone tapping in, and will certainly be a major boon to the photogs and gamers. We're putting significant emphasis against rolling out advanced content over the next months and in 2005. The launch of the Flasher is just the beginning for us."
Higher Speeds Mean "XL" Content
All Virgin Mobile customers already have access to the VirginXtras - a suite of content designed to amuse, distract and amaze. Customers can set up the Virgin Mobile-pioneered Rescue Ring to get out of a sticky situation. They can identify a song they hear on the radio with the popular new SongID feature. And they can browse exclusive content from *MTV and Comedy Central - such as TRL Video Voting, the Rock Paper Schizzle game or ringtones from those wacky "Crank Yankers."
The Flasher V7 enables Virgin Mobile customers to access a new high-octane level of content that taps into the higher speed platform. Called "VirginXL," this new suite of content takes advantage of bigger bandwidth and faster data speeds to serve up an array of downloadable, full-color games, wallpapers, screensavers and more. Flasher V7 users will be able to explore and download all the new features in the VirginXL section of http://www.virginmobileusa.com/.
Flasher V7 customers can also message each other with photos and access "My Pics," an online picture storage area on http://www.virginmobileusa.com/, where they can upload pictures from their phone to a personal online picture vault. From there, customers can view pictures, send them to friends or download them to their personal computer.
The Specs
Custom made for the youth market, the Flasher V7 features a vibrant 65,000-color display - perfect for showing off the images snapped with the camera and built-in flash. It includes a WAP 2.0 browser for access to exclusive content from *MTV, Comedy Central -- as well as other brand-spanking new content from the VirginXL suite. The handset also sports Superphonic (or real music) ringtone capabilities, a two-way speakerphone, vibrating alert, and two-way text messaging.
The Flasher V7 will be available through Virgin Mobile retailer partners for an MSRP of $169.99. These stores include Amazon.com, Best Buy, CompUSA, Media Play, Sam Goody, Sprint Stores, Target Stores, Trans World Entertainment, 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:
Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC has set the pace as the fastest growing wireless carrier in the U.S. while redefining the entire prepaid category. The nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile has attracted two million wireless users to its 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 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, Trans World Entertainment, Wal*Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. Top-Up cards are also available at more than 45,000 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 and Form 10-Q for the fiscal second quarter ended May 31, 2004.
Virgin Mobile USA, LLC; Audiovox Communications Corporation
CONTACT: Alysia Pappas, apappas@schwartz.com, or Joseph Vasquez,jvasquez@schwartz.com, both for Audiovox Communications Corp., +1-212-725-4500; or Anne Green, +1-212-455-8017, agreen@cooperkatz.com, or FayeNikolaidis, +1-212-455-8078, fnikolaidis@cooperkatz.com, both for VirginMobile USA
Web site: http://www.audiovox.com/http://www.virginmobileusa.com/
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