Bangkok--10 Mar--Pr Plus Two
Headset and Webcam Sales Rise
with Skype and MSN Messenger Popularity
Logitech (SWX: LOGN) (NASDAQ: LOGI) today announced it has now sold 17 million PC headsets worldwide since 2001, when the company acquired audio technology specialist Labtec. The popularity of Logitech’s headsets has been fueled by the increasing number of people making audio-only and video calls over the Internet using applications such as Skype? and MSN? Messenger. During the first three quarters of the company’s current fiscal year (April-December), Logitech’s PC headset shipments increased by 78 percent when compared with the entire previous fiscal year.
“VoIP (voice over IP) has been a buzzword for a few years, but now it’s really happening. People are using our headsets and webcams with services such as Skype to talk with and see friends and family over the Internet,” said Gina Clark, Logitech director of product marketing for Internet communications. “Our PC calling products provide a variety of features and functionality at a range of prices to meet the needs of consumers, whether they are just getting started using their PC to communicate, or looking to enhance their experience.”
Skype has become a household name in Europe, and more than 250 million people have downloaded the application worldwide. Meanwhile, the growth of broadband has helped provide the backbone necessary to transmit high-quality voice and video communications over the Internet: In European Union countries, the number of homes with broadband Internet increased 54 percent from 2004 to 2005, to a total of approximately 43 million homes, according to Eurostat, the statistical arm of the European Commission.
Logitech currently holds retail market leadership positions for PC headsets in many of the world’s regions, including the U.K., where the company accounted for 53 percent of retail unit sales (source: Chart-Track's UK panel of retailers) in 2005; and the U.S., where 40 percent of headsets sold at retail last year were made by Logitech (source: The NPD Group).
On the high end of its headset family, the company offers the Logitech Premium USB Headset 350 at retail price 2,500 THB per set, providing premium USB stereo audio, a high-quality microphone, and leatherette ear cushions for a comfortable fit over an extended period of time. Many of Logitech’s PC headsets have been certified by Skype for use with the application.
Adding Video to Online Communications
As VoIP and instant messaging applications continue to gain popularity, many of them now include integrated video communications features that allow people to see and talk to each other for free over the Internet — almost as if they are in the same room. Logitech and Skype recently announced they teamed up to bring free video calling to Skype users worldwide. Logitech, the world’s leading manufacturer of webcams with more than 30 million sold, also provides some of the enabling technology to support the Video Conversation feature in MSN? Messenger. MSN Messenger users have participated in more than 6 billion webcam sessions since 2003, when the application first added integrated video.
Many of Logitech’s webcams are Skype-certified. And some Logitech webcams feature echo-canceling audio technology and innovative video technology to further enhance the experience of making video calls over the Internet. More information about Logitech’s QuickCam webcams is available at www.logitech.com/quickcam .
About Logitech
Founded in 1981, Logitech designs, manufactures and markets personal peripherals that enable people to effectively work, play, and communicate in the digital world. Logitech International is a Swiss public company traded on the SWX Swiss Exchange (LOGN) and in the U.S. on the Nasdaq National Market System (LOGI). The company has manufacturing facilities in Asia and offices in major cities in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.
Logitech, the Logitech logo, and other Logitech marks are owned by Logitech and may be registered. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Editorial Contact:
Lynn Tan, Logitech: 65 6270 5515 ext. 2003 ( [email protected] )
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