Plantronics(R) Unveils Industry's First Bluetooth(R) Stereo Headset that Easily Switches Between Music Devices, Laptops and Mobile Phones

Plantronics(R) Unveils Industry's First Bluetooth(R) Stereo Headset that Easily Switches Between Music Devices, Laptops and Mobile Phones

New Pulsar 590 Wireless Headset Augments Plantronics' Award-Winning Family of Bluetooth Products

NEW YORK and SANTA CRUZ, Calif., July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE:PLT) today introduced the Pulsar(TM) 590, a Bluetooth stereo headset that lets users listen wirelessly to music and movies with excellent audio quality and switch seamlessly to mobile phone calls with the single touch of a button. Available with a universal Bluetooth audio adapter, the Pulsar 590 provides immediate wireless compatibility for any device with a headphone jack, such as laptops, home stereos, MP3 players, including Apple iPods, and multimedia devices, such as Sony PSP.

"The Pulsar 590 demonstrates the desirable look of Plantronics' new design initiative and underscores our commitment to providing diverse Bluetooth offerings that deliver quality sound, are easy to use and provide long-wearing comfort," said Renee Niemi, vice president of Mobile and Entertainment at Plantronics.

Consumers are eagerly awaiting devices that support Bluetooth stereo. A recent research survey conducted by In-Stat/MDR found that 88 percent of respondents were interested in purchasing cordless stereo headset/headphones, with interest especially high for those that would switch between mobile phones and music (October 2004).

Great Sound, No Wires

The Pulsar 590 uses multipoint technology to function as both a stereo headset for high fidelity listening, as well as a communications headset for use with mobile phones and other voice-enabled devices. The headset includes a telescopic voice tube with an omni-directional microphone for clear voice communications.

Its extended range capabilities provide users with great mobile freedom and enables them to listen to music or have conversations up to 33 feet away from their laptop, music device or cell phone. The Pulsar 590 provides up to 12 hours of talk time and 10 hours of listen time, so users stay in touch and in tune all the time.

Comfort and Choice

The Pulsar 590 has a familiar headband wearing style with pivoting ear cushions that provide all-day wearing comfort. The portable, lightweight headset features a foldable design for compact charging and travel storage and ships with a full range of accessories, including a desktop charging stand, AC charger, USB charging cable, in-flight cable and travel case. The in-flight cable allows the headset to be used with the Bluetooth radio disabled, a requirement for most airline travel.

The headset can be purchased with the universal Bluetooth adapter for devices that don't have Bluetooth stereo capabilities. Computer, media and mobile phone devices compatible with the new Bluetooth Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, or A2DP, don't require the universal adapter to experience stereo sound. Industry analysts expect A2DP to gain widespread adoption across communication and entertainment devices. In-Stat/MDR projects consumer devices with A2DP compatibility to jump 414 percent in 2005, to approximately 7 million units, and is expected to reach over 15.5 million units in 2008 (October 2004).

The Pulsar 590 has an estimated retail price of US $149.99 and US $199.99 with universal adapter. The headset will be available this fall at retail stores, wireless carrier stores and www.plantronics.com.

Growing Bluetooth Family

The Pulsar 590 expands Plantronics' family of award-winning Bluetooth products to provide consumers with a broad range of headsets to meet individual lifestyles. Plantronics' new suite of Bluetooth products includes:

* Plantronics Discovery(TM) 640 (code named Tahiti), a premium lightweight Bluetooth headset that combines cutting-edge technology and a sleek design. The headset is extremely discreet and lightweight -- about the weight of two nickels -- and designed with high-end materials and finishes. The Discovery 640 employs an innovative AAA battery charging system that continuously recharges the headset while not in use, providing 15 hours of talk time.

The Discovery 640 has a suggested retail price of US $149.95 and will be available this fall at retail stores and www.plantronics.com.

* Plantronics Explorer(TM) 320 (code named Tonga), an easy-to-use headset that delivers convenience and comfort for entry-level Bluetooth mobile phone users. The lightweight, attractive headset boasts up to 10 hours of talk time and an intuitive single-button control for answering/ending calls and adjusting volume levels.

The Explorer 320 has a suggested retail price of US $69.95 and will be available this fall at retail stores and www.plantronics.com.

* Plantronics Voyager(TM) 510, a lightweight and versatile headset that delivers all-day wearing comfort, clear voice transmission and great sound quality. With exclusive multipoint technology, the headset allows users to easily switch between two voice-enabled Bluetooth devices - at the touch of a button. The Voyager 510 has up to 6 hours of talk time.

The Voyager 510 has a suggested retail price of US $99.99 and is available now at www.plantronics.com.

* Plantronics Voyager(TM) 510S Office Headset System, a multipoint Bluetooth system that provides business professionals with a single wireless headset to seamlessly switch between office phones and voice- enabled Bluetooth mobile phones, laptops and PDAs.

The Voyager 510S Office Headset System has a suggested retail price of US $299.95 and will be available this fall at retail stores and www.plantronics.com.

Media: for more information about all of today's news announcements, please visit www.plantronics.com/NYliftoff.

About Plantronics

In 1969, a Plantronics headset carried the historic first words from the moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Since then, we've become the headset of choice for mission-critical applications such as air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and the New York Stock Exchange. Today, this history of sound innovation is the basis for every product we build for the office, contact center, personal mobile, entertainment and residential markets. For more information, go to www.plantronics.com or call 800-544-4660.

Contacts: Dan Race Joanna Andrade Plantronics, Inc. Porter Novelli for Plantronics, Inc. 831-458-7005 408-369-4620 dan.race@plantronics.comjoanna.andrade@porternovelli.com

Source: Plantronics, Inc.

CONTACT: Dan Race of Plantronics, Inc., +1-831-458-7005, or dan.race@plantronics.com; or Joanna Andrade of Porter Novelli, +1-408-369-4620, or joanna.andrade@porternovelli.com, for Plantronics, Inc.

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

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