Toshiba launches the baby gigabeat Flash and high-end X series

Sydney, 14 February 2006: Toshiba (Australia) Pty Limited Information Systems Division (ISD) has today launched the gigabeat Flash and the gigabeat X series which extends its range of compact digital audio players.

No bigger than a Tim Tam biscuit, the gigabeat Flash comes in a 512GB model and a 1GB model. The higher capacity gigabeat X series is available in both 30GB and 60GB and is 20 per cent smaller in size than the gigabeat F series, Toshiba’s first range of digital audio players launched in July last year.

Both models feature full colour screen displays, extended battery life, USB charging and new headphones designed for the 3-dimensional sound image created by SRS WOW Sound, an audio enhancement technology.

gigabeat Flash Weighing only 50 grams, the gigabeat Flash measures 13mm in length and comes in white (512MB) or metallic black (1GB). Bundled with a neck strap, the gigbeat Flash has an Organic Light Emitting Display (OLED), full colour screen and FM radio tuner.

Features include:  Wide range of playback choices, including WMA, MP3 and WAV;  Built-in voice recorder for added convenience;  Three screensaver colour clock displays that activate when the player is not in use;  Toshiba’s Plus Touch™ design key control, a plus-sign shape touch sensor for smooth navigation with the slide of a finger;  Up to 250 song playback (1GB model); and  Up to 14 hour battery life.

gigabeat X series Lighter and smaller than the gigabeat F series, the X series features a larger 2.4 inch QVGA LCD screen using new small footprint 1.8 inch HDD technology that can display photos and album covers in full colour. The 30GB model, the gigabeat X30, is available in pearl white or cherry red* and the 60GB model, the gigabeat X60, comes in metallic black.

Features include:  Multiple colour screen design options to personalise the player, similar to a mobile phone;  CD RipRec function to save hours by uploading (at the push of a button) entire CDs direct to the player;  Updated gigabeat room management software featuring album cover art, separate audio and photo libraries, multiple options to manage and share music using a drag and drop method or full WMP10 support; and  Up to 16 hour battery life.

Pricing and availability:

gigabeat Flash MEP-05L (512MB): RRP $179 including GST gigabeat Flash MEP-10L (1GB) : RRP$229 including GST The gigabeat Flash is available now from authorised Toshiba retailers, distributors and resellers. gigabeat X30 (30GB): RRP $429 including GST gigabeat X60 (60GB): RRP $569 including GST The gigabeat X series is available now from authorised Toshiba retailers, distributors and resellers. *gigabeat X30 (cherry red) is exclusive to Harvey Norman stores Australia-wide.

About Toshiba Toshiba’s Information Systems Division (ISD) is a division of Toshiba (Australia) Pty Limited which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toshiba Corporation, the seventh largest integrated manufacturer of electric and electronic equipment, with around 165,000 employees worldwide, and annual sales of over US$47 billion on a consolidated basis. With notebook market share of 24.3% (according to IDC’s Q3 2003 figures), Toshiba ISD is comfortably the Australian market share market leader. Unique among vendors, Toshiba ISD specialises exclusively in mobile solutions and services and is also the only leading computer brand that is 100 per cent channel-centric. A global reputation for quality has been achieved through an R&D budget roughly equal to Australia’s total expenditure as a country in this area. Toshiba pioneered the notebook market in 1985 and in recent years, Toshiba ISD extended its solutions offering for Australia and New Zealand with the inclusion of a range of projectors, Pocket PCs and personal storage products. Toshiba’s Virtual Pressroom: www.isd.toshiba.com.au

For further press information please contact: Linda Vo or Caroline Hendra Kristie O’Dwyer Howorth Communications Toshiba Australia Pty Limited Ph: 02 8281 3810 Ph: 02 9887 8120