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Introducing Buzzwire(TM): Experience Your Personalized World of Streaming Internet Content on Your Mobile Phone

Posted on: Monday, 30 July 2007, 09:13 CDT

BOSTON and DENVER, July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Buzzwire, Inc. (formerly 4th Media) announced today a beta preview of its streaming mobile media service, which lets users create their own customized program lineup and access it on their mobile phones anytime, anywhere. With audio and video feeds targeted to meet the widest range of interests from local, national, and international news, traffic, weather, sports, entertainment, finance and more, Buzzwire lets users easily create a personalized world of streaming content on their mobile phones.

With Buzzwire, consumers can find and personalize content from an extensive audio and video library, including live Internet radio streams. Additionally, users can add feeds found on the Internet, create playlists and share them with friends. Buzzwire is backed by Matrix Partners and Spark Capital and is emerging from stealth mode after having established the technology foundation to deliver this unique service. During the beta preview, Buzzwire will be available directly to consumers. A formal launch with select wireless carriers is scheduled for fall 2007.

"Consumers are living mobile lifestyles and should have their media readily accessible on-the-go, whenever they want it. There is an amazing world of audio and video content available on the Web, and consumers can't make sense of how to get it while mobile," said Andrew MacFarlane, CEO of Buzzwire. "Now Buzzwire will provide a place where consumers can find, add and share audio and video feeds, including their own - with instant, hassle-free access on their mobile phones."

Buzzwire lets users create custom playlists via a simple Web and mobile interface that does not require a client download. Buzzwire's initial library includes almost 5,000 media sources encompassing national content, as well as content from local communities so users can get the information most important to them. A small sampling of options includes:

* More than 2,000 audio clips with daily news, sports scores, cooking tips, and health advice for people and even pets. * Almost 1,000 videos offering weather, behind-the-scenes clips from popular TV shows, Sunday morning politics shows and the funniest viral videos. * Over 1,700 live radio stations from 100+ countries with news from Maine to California, the first independent Iraqi radio station, Japan's best music mix, and even the Fort Myers, FL police scanner. * Popular playlists from Buzzwire members that include an assortment of audio and video clips.

By giving users the ability to add content feeds on their own, the library is constantly growing to meet a variety of user needs and interests.

"We are very excited about Buzzwire," said Stan Reiss, general partner with Matrix Partners. "We invested in Buzzwire in large part due to the management team they assembled, which through its success at Software.com and Openwave has proven itself as a pioneer in Internet and mobile services, with a deep background of working with carriers. That team is complemented with proven expertise in both traditional and online consumer marketing. We think it is the right recipe for success in this rapidly evolving market."

Added Bijan Sabet, general partner at Spark Capital, "We expect the demand for mobile content will skyrocket, particularly as users are given the ability to access the wealth of content available on the Internet in a way that makes sense on a mobile device. Buzzwire seamlessly bridges the gap between the Web and the mobile phone and puts the user in charge of defining his or her own experience."

How it Works

Anyone can sign up for a free account online at http://www.buzzwire.com/ or by going directly to http://m.buzzwire.com/ on a mobile phone's Internet browser. Once signed in, users can find their favorite media and access it on their phones. Buzzwire works on most 3G phones (including popular phones such as the Motorola Razr, Samsung Sync and recent versions of the Palm Treo) and for a limited time is available directly to consumers. Starting this fall, following the beta preview, Buzzwire will be available through select wireless carriers.

Try it at http://www.buzzwire.com/. Discover, create and share anytime. Experience anywhere.

Buzzwire, Inc.

CONTACT: Beth Monaghan, +1-617-264-0420, beth@inkhousepr.com

Web site: http://www.buzzwire.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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