Harman Kardon's Drive + Play(TM) Wins 2005 Inaugural ''Playlist Plays of the Year'' Award; Drive + Play Named the Best Car Integration Product for the iPod(R) and Digital Music Markets by PlaylistMag.com
WOODBURY, N.Y.--Dec. 2, 20050, 2005--Harman Kardon(R), a leading provider of audio products for the home, computer and automotive industries, today announced that the Harman Kardon Drive + Play has received the 2005 Playlist Plays of the Year award for best automotive integration system for iPods and other digital music players. The Drive + Play is the first fully integrated iPod docking system specifically designed for automotive use. The prestigious PlaylistMag.com award honors the year's most exceptional accessories and products among those designed to enhance the experience of using an iPod and other digital music products.The Drive + Play, which can be used with any car's audio system, provides complete iPod control, including full browsing capability, minimizing distractions for drivers. It replicates iPod functions for automotive use. The Drive + Play has a dash-mounted LCD screen, and provides the familiarity of the iPod click wheel controller knob. This enables drivers to easily control playback while keeping their eyes on the road. Drivers can browse by artist, album, song, genre and composer, or simply scroll through playlists to find their favorite song. They can jump ahead to the next track or play the last one repeatedly, all from the driver's seat.
"Harman Kardon prides itself on being at the forefront of the consumer electronics space, particularly when it comes to the iPod accessories market," said Mike Giffin, president of the Mobile Systems Division for Harman Consumer Group. "We are proud of the PlaylistMag award for Drive + Play because it recognizes Harman's continued commitment to providing technology that is cutting edge and aesthetically attractive, and that matches our customers' lifestyles."
Drive + Play is compatible with all docking iPods, and comes with all the cables needed for most installations. The system includes a wireless FM transmitter, and a 3.5mm audio output jack that allows Drive + Play to be connected to any vehicle, regardless of its make or model. Thin, easily concealed wires connect Drive + Play's brain to the display, the controller and the iPod itself. The brain can be powered using the nearest cigarette lighter plug or can be wired into a car's audio system.
Playlist, an established authority on iPod and digital music products, reviewed hundreds of new products released between November 1, 2004, and November 1, 2005, before selecting 26 recipients. Playlist's editorial staff determined the winners of the 2005 Playlist Plays of the Year awards by evaluating each product's overall quality, innovation, usefulness, design and value.
"The Drive + Play is the first iPod/car integration product we've seen that gives you an iPod-like display and controller, along with excellent sound quality, without making you go out and buy an expensive new stereo system," said Dan Frakes, senior reviews' editor for PlaylistMag.
The winners were announced on Monday, December 12, 2005, on PlaylistMag.com. Previously, Drive + Play received the coveted Macworld "Best of Show" award during Macworld Boston 2005.
About Mac Publishing, LLC
Mac Publishing, LLC, publishes the world's leading independent Macintosh publication and Web sites. Every month the award-winning Macworld magazine reaches 1.2 million Macintosh professionals and enthusiasts while the Mac Publishing Web presence garners an average of over 3.5 million unique visitors. The Mac Publishing sites include Macworld.com, PlaylistMag.com, MacOSXHints.com, MacworldProductFinder.com, and JavaWorld.com.
Headquartered in San Francisco, Mac Publishing, LLC, is a subsidiary of International Data Group (IDG), the world's leading technology media, research and event company.
More information on Mac Publishing, LLC, and IDG can be found on the Internet at www.macworld.com and www.idg.com.
About Harman Consumer Group
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group's brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
Harman International Industries, Incorporated (www.harman.com), is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HAR."
Harman Kardon and Harman International are registered trademarks, and Drive + Play is a trademark, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
iPod is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.