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``Plantronics' new PC headsets literally let people say, `Hello,' to the sound of digital performance,'' said Ken Kannappan, president and CEO of Plantronics. ``Our digital PC headsets will intensify the drama of video games, make voice chat-room conversations more personable, bring clear, crisp voice messaging to email and speech recognition software, and make listening to music a more enjoyable experience.''

Plantronics will be offering four new digitally enhanced PC headsets:

• Plantronics Digital Speech Headset - a lightweight monaural (one earpiece) digitally enhanced headset designed for speech recognition and Internet voice applications (VoIP). This headset bundles software for voice recognition, audio e-mail, Internet telephony and Internet chat. The microphone swivels for left or right side wear.
• Plantronics Digital Music Headset - a versatile digitally enhanced stereo headset designed for listening to CDs and MP3 music files, using voice/speech applications, playing multimedia games and using VoIP applications. The headset bundles software for voice recognition, Internet telephony and Internet chat, as well as software for playing CDs and MP3 files.
• Plantronics Digital Gaming Headset - a digitally enhanced stereo gaming headset designed for experiencing the greatest sound with PC and Internet games, Internet chat, listening to music and speech/voice applications. Thumping bass, mid-range and crisp highs complement the best voice recognition available. This headset bundles software for voice recognition, Internet telephony and Internet chat, as well as software for playing CDs, MP3 files and a popular multimedia game.
• Plantronics Digital Traveler Headset - a versatile digitally enhanced stereo PC headset, similar to the Digital Music headset, but with the added feature of folding down into a small leatherette pouch for portability and compactness. The headset bundles software for speech recognition, Internet telephony and Internet chat, as well as software for listening to CDs and MP3 files.

``Demo 2000 gives emerging and established businesses alike the opportunity to explore and develop markets, establish partnerships, and premiere new technology,'' said Jim Forbes, Demo's co-producer. ``Plantronics new digital headsets are a great example of new technology that helps burgeoning applications such as speech recognition and Internet Telephony by improving the clarity of incoming audio.''

As more and more users look to their computers for their audio and communications needs, headsets with microphones will be similar to today's common place peripherals, such as a mouse or keyboard. The new Plantronics headsets are the first digitally enhanced PC headsets to take advantage of the USB interface for audio. These headsets will allow emerging speech and digital audio technologies to take advantage of a higher level of digital audio performance.

The USB/digital interface module with each of the new Plantronics headsets utilizes Digital Signal Processing (DSP) technology from Texas Instruments, which enables them to digitally enhance input/output audio signals to and from the PC. This interface bypasses the need for a PC sound card and resides inline with the headset cord. The result is superior sound and microphone quality along with plug-and-play ease of use through a USB connection. The plug-and-play connection to the PC is in compliance with the latest USB standards, and is compatible with Windows 98 SE, Windows 2000 and Macintosh 9.0 operating systems.

Each headset features swivel earphones for comfort; a premium noise-canceling microphone to minimize background noise and offer superior accuracy; an adjustable microphone boom; inline digital volume and mute controls; integrated third party software; and an easy one-step-install CD-ROM.

In addition, each of the headsets comes with Plantronics PC Audio Control Center software to provide users with one interface for controlling all settings for the headsets' various sound and voice applications - such as CD, MP3, and DVD players and associated volume controls. The control center allows users to preset audio settings for various music styles (rock, jazz, country, etc.). It also gives users easy access to the microphone controls for volume and tone.

Plantronics digital headsets will be available by the third calendar quarter of 2000 at national retail computer, office and electronics stores. Pricing has not yet been released at this time. Product features mentioned are subject to change.

About Plantronics

Plantronics introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is recognized as the world leader in communications headsets. A publicly held company with more than 1,800 employees, Plantronics is the leading provider of headsets to telephone companies and the business community worldwide. Plantronics headsets are also used widely in many Fortune 500 corporations and have been featured in numerous motion pictures and high-profile events, including Neil Armstrong's historic ``One small step for man'' transmission from the moon in 1969. Plantronics launched the Computer Audio Systems Division to the public in April 1999. The division is chartered with elevating awareness and driving the direction of the PC headset industry, including research and development of new technologies for voice applications. Plantronics, Inc. headquartered in Santa Cruz, was founded in 1961 and maintains offices in 18 countries. Plantronics products are sold and supported through a worldwide network of authorized Plantronics marketing partners. Information about the Company and its products can be found at www.plantronics.com or by calling (800) 544-4660.

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     Roxanne Verduzco, 510/723-6221
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