Gateway's Audible Initiative Makes Best Sellers Easy Listening for Everyone

Apr. 15, 2003 - Extending its leadership in digital content, Gateway today becomes the first retailer to offer Audible, Inc.'s Otis digital audio player through its retail stores, Web site and call centers. Audible.com's Internet audio service and Otis digital audio player were created for anyone from commuters who want the daily newspaper read to them to those who want to take back precious reading time by listening to books rather than music at the gym. It's also the perfect option for the vision impaired or senior Americans who have difficulty reading small text.

Gateway's special offer includes two free audiobooks and a free one-month subscription to a leading audio periodical for just $99.99. In addition to the 3.5-oz. Audible.com Otis digital audio player - which holds up to 17 hours of Audible's spoken word audio files and plays MP3s -- Gateway's digital media solution comes with a car cassette adapter, carrying case and batteries.

According to the 2000 U.S. Census, more than 97 million people drive alone to work every day, logging more than 600 million hours behind the wheel each week. Census figures also point to busier schedules, longer work days and more multi-tasking than ever before.

"Gateway is all about helping customers use technology to enhance the quality of their lives," said Matt Milne, Gateway's general manager of digital solutions. "In this case, we're providing a solution that enables our customers to be productive during time that is typically unproductive, such as making it possible to listen to each day's audio edition of The Wall Street Journal or learning a new language while driving to work." "Audible is proud that its Otis audio player and Internet audio service will be sold by Gateway, clearly an innovator in the sales and service of leading edge technology," said Foy Sperring, Audible Inc. senior vice president, strategic alliances. "This is a landmark moment as we continue to expand our retail presence, and endeavor to expand awareness of our information and entertainment service that makes downloading the latest audio books and periodicals quick, easy and affordable."

Orchestrating A Perfect Play for the Value-Driven
Gateway customers who purchase the Otis digital audio player for $99.99 will receive a free month of Audible's BasicListener membership plan, which consists of one audiobook from Audible.com -- the largest downloadable collection of English-language spoken word audio on the Internet. Customers can choose from over 6,000 audiobook titles such as contemporary fiction, history, mystery, and business. They also get a one-month subscription to one of Audible's audio newspapers, magazines, public radio programs or original programs as well as a free CD that comes with the James Patterson best seller "Second Chances" plus excerpts from 900 other audiobooks. If a customer likes the excerpt, they can purchase the complete book.

Gateway's offer is more than $50 less than what customers would pay for these products individually. Customers can purchase any of Audible's 20,000 titles on an individual basis or subscribe to a monthly AudibleListener membership. There is no need to wait for boxes of tapes to arrive or pay costly shipping charges. Downloads are easy and once completed, the audio file can be played back on the personal computer, transferred to the Otis player or burned onto standard audio CDs.

For more information, visit Gateway's Web site at www.gateway.com.

SOURCE Gateway