AOL Music

 AOL Music Releases Nullsoft Winamp3

August 2002 (Newstream) -- America Online, the world's leading interactive services company, has announced the release of Nullsoft Winamp3, the next generation of the popular audio player. AOL Music is celebrating its launch by inviting users to enter the MAD Magazine Sweepstakes for a chance to win one of 50 MAD Magazine 50th Anniversary prize packs when they download the new player with the official MAD Magazine skin.

Nullsoft Winamp3 is entirely rebuilt from the ground up on top of the Wasabi coding platform to offer an enhanced media experience including video support, richer audio functionality, as well as unprecedented control and flexibility in customizing the look, feel and function of the player.

A Unique Tool for Media Enthusiasts:

Winamp3 takes media playback to a new level offering:

• A freeform skinable player that:
• Supports designs that completely change the look, shape and functionality of the player.
• Permits player skins to be scaled from 25% up to full screen.
• Promotional skins that are available at launch include the custom designed MAD-magazine skin, as well as Austin Powers Goldmember skin and a Red Hot Chili Peppers skin among others;
• Enhanced media playback adds support for:
• Video playback
• Seamless song transitions via cross-fading and gapless playback for CDs and other digital media
• A robust new media library enables users to organize, browse and search their music and video files through a powerful and intuitive interface. Files played on the Winamp3 player are immediately stored in the media library database. The entire media collection can then be sorted by year, genre, artist, year, and type;
• An advanced new playlist editor adds support for dynamic playlist management including multiple playlists and multiple playlist editors as well as additional ways of sorting;
• An improved Winamp Browser that delivers dynamic music information including album art, biographies, and more.
• A new utility called a "Thinger" offers instant access to key features and can be personalized when new functionality is added (via a plug-in).

An Advanced Platform for Developers:

Winamp3 is based on the groundbreaking new Wasabi coding platform, which introduces:

• A new component-based architecture that provides easy access to a wide range of highly interoperable plug-ins;
• A freeform XML-based skinning and UI engine that allows for advanced designs including animations, alpha transparency, color themes and smooth scaling of components.

In conjunction with this launch of Winamp3, AOL Music has teamed up with America's longest running humor publication to offer users a MAD Magazine skin, customized with the magazine's gap-toothed idiot Alfred E. Neuman and his infamous catch phrases. Fans who download the skin now until September 30th can register on www.winamp.com for the chance to win one of 50 MAD Magazine 50th Anniversary prize packs. The MAD prize packs include MAD toilet paper, an autographed copy of "MAD's 50 Worst Things In Music," a MAD t-shirt, MAD Neumanisms Ultimate Collector's Package and select CDs provided by AOL music.

"The Winamp player has achieved tremendous popularity by giving audio enthusiasts unprecedented control over their listening experience," said Kevin Conroy, SVP and General Manager of AOL Entertainment. "Winamp3 introduces music fans to a whole new level of control over their entire media experience. With built-in video support and total customization, fans can enjoy listening to music and watching video with one player that reflects their individual style and interests like never before."

Conroy continued, "Winamp3 and the Wasabi coding platform empowers developers with tools to create a media application that takes virtually any size, shape, color or form, as evidence by the completely unique MAD magazine skin."

"MAD magazine's edgy style has always pushed the envelope of satire and humor, just as Winamp has always been on the cutting edge of digital music," said Joel Ehrlich, Senior Vice President, Advertising and Promotions for Warner Bros. Consumer Products and MAD Magazine. "Winamp users will love the MAD Magazine themed skin and its outrageous look, as well as the chance to win some great MAD prizes and collectibles."

To download Winamp3 as well as a wide range of music, skins, plug-ins and more, please visit, www.winamp.com. The Winamp3 SDK is free to developers. For more information, developers can visit, www.winamp.com/nsdn/winamp3x/.

About MAD Magazine:

Founded by Bill Gaines in 1952, MAD has inspired generations of irreverent fans with its ridiculing of politicians, movies, television and modern life, and with popular characters such as Alfred E. Neuman and Spy. Vs. Spy. Whether in print, on television, film or on the web at www.madmag.com, MAD remains one of the favorite American icons. MAD Magazine is owned by E.C. Publications, Inc. a division of Warner Bros. - an AOL Time Warner Company.

About AOL Music:

AOL Music, a division of America Online, Inc., reaches the largest audience of online music fans in the world through a rich array of programming products and services that make it easy to discover, experience, listen to and buy music online. AOL Music's leading offerings include the number one Internet music destination, AOL's Music Channel; premier online radio products, Radio@AOL and Radio@Netscape powered by Spinner; the most popular audio jukebox player, Winamp, and Webcaster directory, SHOUTcast. AOL Music programming, products and services are available throughout the AOL Service, AOL High Speed Broadband Service, and AOL's family of Web brands, including Netscape, CompuServe, AIM and ICQ. America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: AOL). Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.