Microsoft's Zune(R) Now Compatible With OverDrive Audiobooks From Libraries

CLEVELAND, OH--(Marketwire - September 23, 2008) - OverDrive (www.overdrive.com), a global digital distributor of download audiobooks, eBooks, and more to libraries, schools, and retailers, announced today digital audiobook support for Microsoft's Zune® digital media player with the OverDrive Media Console v3.1 release. This makes OverDrive's library download platform the only service compatible with Zune's 3.0 firmware and virtually all MP3 players including iPod® and Creative devices. Millions of users from more than 8,500 OverDrive partner libraries, as well as shoppers at online retailers like Borders.com, can now transfer both DRM-protected OverDrive WMA Audiobooks and DRM-free OverDrive MP3 Audiobooks to their Zune players. OverDrive Media Console v3.1 can be downloaded for free at http://www.overdrive.com/software/omc/download.asp.

OverDrive's support for Zune comes on the heels of the innovative digital media player's recent 3.0 firmware update, which opened the device to download audiobooks from public libraries for the first time. The new Zune firmware also creates a visually stunning, personal listening experience, with the intuitive Mixview feature, an FM radio tuner with "Buy from FM" functionality, and WiFi purchasing capabilities through Zune Marketplace.

"Developing Zune compatibility for OverDrive-supplied audiobooks is a significant advance for OverDrive's third generation library platform -- the only platform to provide direct transfer to the most popular media players like Zune, Creative devices, and iPod," said David Burleigh, director of marketing for OverDrive. "This unrivaled media player support, plus new and improved features on download library websites and the monthly addition of thousands of titles from hundreds of major publishers, makes OverDrive the most trusted download service for libraries."

The OverDrive Media Console organizes and plays audiobook downloads from libraries, schools, and retailers. This free software provides a superior audiobook listening experience with its user-inspired navigation features. Other top features available in the OverDrive Media Console v3.1 release include direct transfer support for hundreds of media players, a built-in Burn Wizard for creating audio CDs for titles with burn permissions, support for the iPod-compatible OverDrive MP3 Audiobook format, MediaMarker™ navigation with bookmarking features, and CD-length Parts for easy downloading.

OverDrive powers popular download media catalogs offering eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video at thousands of libraries worldwide, including institutions in New York City, Singapore, Boston, and Toronto. To see if your public library is a member of the OverDrive network, visit http://search.overdrive.com.

About OverDrive

OverDrive is a leading full-service digital distributor of eBooks, audiobooks, music, and video. We deliver secure management, DRM protection, and download fulfillment services for hundreds of publishers and thousands of libraries, schools, retailers, and aggregators serving millions of end users. Founded in 1986, OverDrive is based in Cleveland, OH. www.overdrive.com

Contact Information: Contacts: David Burleigh OverDrive, Inc. 216-573-6886 x218