ICQ(r) and Nullsoft(r) Winamp(r) Inducted Into CNET Download.com 'Hall of Fame'
Pioneering Applications from America Online Account for Half of First Round of 'Hall of Fame' Inductees
DULLES, VA, July 29, 2002 - America Online, Inc. the world's leading interactive services company, today announced that two of its popular products, ICQ(r) "I Seek You", a popular instant messaging application and Nullsoft(r) Winamp(r), a leading online audio player, were among the first software applications to be inducted into CNET Download.com's "Hall of Fame". The new award program recognizes the most popular, high-quality, and time-tested software products featured in CNET Download.com's online software library. Over the last few years ICQ and Winamp have had great success on CNET Download.com. ICQ Pro and ICQ Lite has had more than 260 million downloads since it was posted to CNET Download.com in May, 1997. Winamp's series of products have had more than 28 million downloads since it?s first version was posted to CNET Download.com in June, 1997. Both products have consistently been on the Most Popular list each week since they were posted on the site. Inclusion in CNET Download's Hall of Fame was based on three criteria: longevity, popularity, and quality. Both ICQ and Winamp have been listed on CNET Download.com for at least five years, and have consistently garnered "Editors' Pick" distinctions for the duration of their time on the site. Both applications have remained on CNET Download.com's "Most Popular" since their initial listing. "Over the past six years ICQ users worldwide have embraced instant messaging as a way to communicate with friends, family and colleagues giving millions of users the ability to remain in touch with anyone, anywhere, anytime. With more than 260 million downloads, we understand the importance of resources like CNET Download.com for our users," said Amit Shafrir, VP Operations at ICQ. "We are delighted to be honored alongside other distinguished software visionaries who have changed the way people work, communicate and enjoy their time online." A robust and full-featured communications tool, ICQ lets users stay in touch with new online acquaintances wherever they are, whenever they want, in a variety of ways. The latest full-featured version of ICQ available on CNET Download.com, ICQ 2003a, builds upon key features introduced in previous versions, including document and file sharing options, email integration and multi-lingual, two-way SMS text messaging for cellular phones, PDAs and other wireless devices. "We are honored to receive this distinction from one of the leading resources on the web for finding and downloading software applications. CNET Download.com has been an invaluable site for promoting our product and educating our users," said Mike Rich, Executive Director for AOL Music. "The award validates Winamp's popularity since its launch in 1997. We understand that giving music fans a whole new level of control over their entire media experience is very important." The Winamp player offers media enthusiasts an advanced multi-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. Since debuting on CNET Download.com's website six years ago, Winamp has grown to incorporate playback of nearly every audio and video file-type available. Winamp was one of the first players to offer and help popularize application skinning, providing a customizable look for the player; and visualizations, offering animated visual accompaniment to audio tracks. Nullsoft Winamp continues to lead in digital media innovation with the introduction of complete freeform skinability in fall of 2002.
About ICQ
ICQ is wholly owned by America Online, Inc. ICQ was created in 1996 by the Israel-based company, Mirabilis, and acquired by AOL in 1998. ICQ is a world leading communications community with over 150 million registered users worldwide. On days when connected to ICQ, users spend an average of over 4.5 hours on the service. ICQ offers the most robust instant messaging and enhanced communications features in the market today. The product is available for free at www.icq.com.
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.
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: AOL) Based in Dulles, Va., America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.
Contact Info:
Shelia Tran, America Online
703-265-1746
DULLES, VA, July 29, 2002 - America Online, Inc. the world's leading interactive services company, today announced that two of its popular products, ICQ(r) "I Seek You", a popular instant messaging application and Nullsoft(r) Winamp(r), a leading online audio player, were among the first software applications to be inducted into CNET Download.com's "Hall of Fame". The new award program recognizes the most popular, high-quality, and time-tested software products featured in CNET Download.com's online software library. Over the last few years ICQ and Winamp have had great success on CNET Download.com. ICQ Pro and ICQ Lite has had more than 260 million downloads since it was posted to CNET Download.com in May, 1997. Winamp's series of products have had more than 28 million downloads since it?s first version was posted to CNET Download.com in June, 1997. Both products have consistently been on the Most Popular list each week since they were posted on the site. Inclusion in CNET Download's Hall of Fame was based on three criteria: longevity, popularity, and quality. Both ICQ and Winamp have been listed on CNET Download.com for at least five years, and have consistently garnered "Editors' Pick" distinctions for the duration of their time on the site. Both applications have remained on CNET Download.com's "Most Popular" since their initial listing. "Over the past six years ICQ users worldwide have embraced instant messaging as a way to communicate with friends, family and colleagues giving millions of users the ability to remain in touch with anyone, anywhere, anytime. With more than 260 million downloads, we understand the importance of resources like CNET Download.com for our users," said Amit Shafrir, VP Operations at ICQ. "We are delighted to be honored alongside other distinguished software visionaries who have changed the way people work, communicate and enjoy their time online." A robust and full-featured communications tool, ICQ lets users stay in touch with new online acquaintances wherever they are, whenever they want, in a variety of ways. The latest full-featured version of ICQ available on CNET Download.com, ICQ 2003a, builds upon key features introduced in previous versions, including document and file sharing options, email integration and multi-lingual, two-way SMS text messaging for cellular phones, PDAs and other wireless devices. "We are honored to receive this distinction from one of the leading resources on the web for finding and downloading software applications. CNET Download.com has been an invaluable site for promoting our product and educating our users," said Mike Rich, Executive Director for AOL Music. "The award validates Winamp's popularity since its launch in 1997. We understand that giving music fans a whole new level of control over their entire media experience is very important." The Winamp player offers media enthusiasts an advanced multi-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. Since debuting on CNET Download.com's website six years ago, Winamp has grown to incorporate playback of nearly every audio and video file-type available. Winamp was one of the first players to offer and help popularize application skinning, providing a customizable look for the player; and visualizations, offering animated visual accompaniment to audio tracks. Nullsoft Winamp continues to lead in digital media innovation with the introduction of complete freeform skinability in fall of 2002.
About ICQ
ICQ is wholly owned by America Online, Inc. ICQ was created in 1996 by the Israel-based company, Mirabilis, and acquired by AOL in 1998. ICQ is a world leading communications community with over 150 million registered users worldwide. On days when connected to ICQ, users spend an average of over 4.5 hours on the service. ICQ offers the most robust instant messaging and enhanced communications features in the market today. The product is available for free at www.icq.com.
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.
About America Online, Inc.
America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL Time Warner Inc. (NYSE: AOL) Based in Dulles, Va., America Online is the world's leader in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce services.
Contact Info:
Shelia Tran, America Online
703-265-1746