PRESS CONTACT:
Kristin Hatcher
marketing@stardock.com
HMV Licenses Stardock’s DirectSkin for HMV Digital Player
Stardock’s DirectSkin Chosen to Provide Unique Look and Feel to Digital Jukebox
Plymouth, MI- May 30, 2006 HMV is the leading provider of music, DVDs and games in the UK and Ireland. HMV recently launched HMV Digital, a new music download service created in partnership with Microsoft. The HMV Digital Player is a customized software jukebox that uses Stardock’s DirectSkin to provide a distinctive look and feel.
“The Digital Player provides core functionality for our clients” said David Cameron, the Head of Software Development for HMV UK & Ireland. “Our aim was to provide a software solution that would empower our customers. They can download tracks from the HMV Digital store, create their own playlists for use on either their PC s or personal digital music players, and even burn their tracks to CD.”
“Microsoft had recommended DirectSkin based on the positive experiences of companies such as ATI. By using Stardock’s DirectSkin, we were able to give our application a look consistent with our corporate image, while at the same time reducing our development time and costs.”
Larry Kuperman, Sales Manager at Stardock, said “We are pleased to work with a company as well-known and respected as HMV. They truly understand the benefits of branding and how that can help increase adoption of software products.”
Neil Banfield, Lead Developer for Stardock’s DirectSkin product, added “Our goal with DirectSkin has always been to make it easier for software developers to give their applications distinctive user interfaces. By leveraging our WindowBlinds technology, we have made it easier for developers to create great looking applications.”
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About Stardock:
Stardock is a Microsoft Certified Gold Partner and the world's leading developer of Windows enhancement utilities. Stardock software is used by over 15 million people worldwide and has been licensed by cutting-edge companies including NVIDIA, ATI, Alienware and Nintendo, as well as being used in movies and television shows. Stardock operates WinCustomize.com, the premier portal for Windows enhancements drawing more than 3 million unique visitors each month. Stardock Entertainment also develops best-selling computer games, including the award-winning Galactic Civilizations series, which are distributed electronically through Stardock’s TotalGaming.Net division. The company's website is www.stardock.com.
About HMV UK and Ireland:
HMV is the UK and Ireland's leading specialist retailer of Music, DVD/Video, Computer Games and Related Products. The company operates around 200 stores in key shopping locations nationwide, equating to over 1million sq. ft. of trading space, as well as a successful online store at www.hmv.co.uk, operated by HMV Guernsey.
HMV's very first store was officially opened in July 1921 by the celebrated British composer, Sir Edward Elgar on London's Oxford Street. Since that time, the chain has become symbolised throughout the world by its iconic 'His Master's Voice' dog and trumpet trademark.
HMV is dedicated to offering its customers authoritative access to the widest possible range of recorded Music titles, DVD's and Computer Games across all formats. At 50,000 square feet, HMV 150 Oxford Street is the company's flagship and is the largest music and home entertainment store in the country, offering a choice of over 150,000 Music titles on CD and vinyl as well as comprehensive selections of DVD and Games titles.
HMV is part of HMV Group plc, which as of April 2004 operated 366 HMV stores in eight countries across Europe, North America and Pacific Asia as well as 193 Waterstone’s stores principally in the UK and Ireland. All of the Group's operations, both in the United Kingdom and internationally, are wholly owned.
The Group was listed on the London Stock Exchange on 15 May 2002, having been formed in March 1998 through the acquisition of Waterstone's from WH Smith Group plc and HMV and Dillons from EMI Group plc.
For a more detailed history and more information about HMV please visit http://www.hmvgroup.com/