Sonic Launches Technology Preview Compatible with Windows Vista

[Tom at Roxio]

Sonic Launches Technology Preview Compatible with Windows Vista
Roxio Central Enables Innovative Next-Generation Digital Media Experiences

Santa Clara, California (February 22, 2007) - Roxio®, a division of Sonic Solutions® (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced the availability of a new Vista-compatible version of Roxio Central, which takes full advantage of the new Windows Vista design architecture to deliver a truly intuitive, interactive, and visually-rich software experience. Roxio Central serves as a core access point to digital media tasks across Roxio’s software products and offers digital media recording and backup features. The latest version is designed to allow consumers to experience the many benefits of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), the new user interface development architecture that enables the incorporation of rich 3D graphics, animations, transitions, and stunning icons.

Roxio Central is available for free consumer download at http://www.roxio.com/vista/preview

A demonstration video of Roxio Central is currently being showcased on the Windows Vista Innovation Café web site, which promotes groundbreaking applications built for Windows Vista. Roxio Central is the first digital media recording software on the site. For more details on the Windows Vista Innovation Café visit http://www.windowsvista.com/innovation

“Roxio Central gives users faster and easier access to all of their digital media applications and frequent tasks from one location through a sleek, interactive, and aesthetically pleasing interface,” said Stan Wong, general manager, Roxio division of Sonic Solutions. “We’re working closely with Microsoft to bring Roxio users the most natural and enjoyable computing experiences with the look and feel they are expecting with Microsoft’s next generation OS.”

The Microsoft Expression Studio family of professional-design tools along with the new programming model set forth by Microsoft for Windows Vista and the .NET Framework 3.0 allowed for the development of Roxio Central. The design and engineering teams at Roxio participated in the early adopter programs for Expression Blend and Expression Design and, through this collaboration with Microsoft, were able to plan and build the highly polished looks and premier performance of the final product.

“Microsoft recognizes Sonic Solutions as one of the industry leaders in digital media creation and management,” said Liron Shaked, director of the Worldwide Consumer ISV Group at Microsoft Corp. “Our alliance and close working relationship during the development of Windows Vista has resulted in an innovative application which realizes the full potential of our next-generation design applications.”

In addition to working with Microsoft on the Windows Vista-enabled Roxio Central, Sonic’s AuthorScript® engine, powers the core media-recording functionality incorporated throughout the revolutionary operating system. Roxio Easy Media Creator® 9 extends the capabilities of Windows Vista with innovative digital media creation, management, and enjoyment features, and is a Windows Vista Premier Launch Partner, as showcased on www.windowsvista.com, www.windowsmarketplace.com, www.crossfader.com, and www.eonline.com. Easy Media Creator 9 is also featured as one of the recommended partner products on Retail ExpertZone (http://expertzone.microsoft.com), Microsoft's web-based training tool for retail sales associates.


About Roxio
Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions, develops and markets the best-selling digital media software in the world. Roxio offers award-winning software products for CD/DVD burning, photo editing and video editing and has an installed base of over 350 million users. Roxio distributes its products globally through strategic partnerships with major hardware manufacturers, through leading retailers, through Internet partnerships and through direct sales at www.roxio.com.
Roxio's parent company, Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC; http://www.sonic.com) is the leader in digital media software and provides a broad range of software tools and applications for creative professionals, business and home users and technology partners. Sonic's products range from professional DVD authoring systems and interactive content delivery technologies that are used to produce the majority of Hollywood movies released on DVD, to the award-winning Roxio- and Sonic-branded CD and DVD creation, playback and backup applications that have become the premier solutions for consumers and business users worldwide. Sonic's AuthorScript® is the de facto standard for CD and DVD burning and formatting and has been licensed by major software and hardware manufacturers, including Adobe, Broadcom, Microsoft, Scientific-Atlanta, Sony, and many others. Sonic Solutions is headquartered in Marin County, California.

Forward Looking Statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are based upon current expectations, including the launch, distribution, and market acceptance of the Windows Vista Technology Preview for Roxio Central. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward looking statements as a result of various risks and uncertainties, including those discussed in the Company's annual and quarterly reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release should be read in conjunction with the Company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, Form 10-Q and other reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which contain a more detailed discussion of the Company's business including risks and uncertainties that may affect future results. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements.


Sonic, Sonic Solutions, Roxio Central, AuthorScript, Roxio Easy Media Creator, and Roxio are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sonic Solutions in the United States and/or other countries. All other brands, product names and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

[Tom at Roxio]

I'm happy to report that we have updated our Roxio Central tech demo. This is a free program that will run as demoware - expiring on October 30th. Users who downloaded the beta version will notice a number of improvements. We welcome your feedback.

 

Tom