NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE via COLLEGIATE PRESSWIRE)--May 5, 2004--Viewpoint Corporation (NASDAQ: VWPT) - a leading provider of Internet graphics and delivery systems - announced today that more than five hundred thousand Viewpoint Toolbars have been installed by U.S. consumers on their computers. The half-million install milestone was surpassed on April 30th, only 44 days after the Viewpoint Toolbar`s introduction on March 17th of this year and merely 14 days after the distribution campaign emerged from its limited testing phase on April 15th.
''This is a remarkable achievement in the search industry,'' says Jay Amato, Viewpoint`s CEO and president. ''We`ve now reached half a million users with a product that is proving to be an innovation for how people search the Internet. Reaching this milestone in such a short time is further affirmation of the reach of Viewpoint`s extensive distribution network and proof that our Graphically Enhanced Search technology is making search more fun, productive and visual for consumers across the U.S. Judging from acceptance rates of our toolbar and judging from the overwhelming positive feedback from consumers, we believe we are reinventing the Internet search experience.''
Well-reviewed on April 30th by Search Engine Journal for its innovative look and functionality (https://www.searchenginejournal.com/index.php?p=509), the Viewpoint Toolbar was described as follows: ''(It is) a class apart... There are search toolbars and then there is (the) Viewpoint Toolbar. It does what an average search toolbar does and takes it one step ahead.''
Version 1.0 of the Viewpoint Toolbar with Graphically Enhanced Search technology (patents pending) offers users groundbreaking features such as:
-- Visual Search Results, preview images of search results that improve the natural surfing habits of ''searchers.'' During a search, the Search Results tray fetches previews of each of the listed Web sites before users visit the actual pages. After a user selects a link, the previews persist in the tray thereby speeding search performance.
-- Instant Views technology. Click on a fetched preview and the user is taken immediately to the desired page, without loading delays.
-- DogEar functionality to easily navigate back to relevant search results. Clicking on the corner of a preview image makes a DogEar that marks the page for later viewing.
-- Visual Bookmarks of favorite websites created by clicking on the + button in the toolbar. A thumbnail image of the page is then placed into the Visual Bookmarks tray.
-- The Pop-Up Slammer, next-generation pop-up blocking immune to blocker-circumvention technology. The technology allows users to quarantine all pop-ups for later viewing or eradication, or users can choose to block only pop-up advertising.
-- Custom Skins that allow users to change the look and functionality of the toolbar by downloading from a growing list of new skins at www.viewpoint.com.
-- Auto-Updating allowing users to receive updates and new versions of the toolbar technology automatically.
Following the beta release of the Viewpoint Toolbar on March 17th via Viewpoint`s corporate website, Viewpoint commenced a test on March 23rd to a limited group of users connected to its distribution network. Measuring acceptance rates and consumer feedback, the Company methodically tested alternative offer messages and install experiences in order to maximize performance during wide distribution scheduled for April 15th.
On April 15th, wide distribution began and achieved acceptance rates on average of 25%.
On April 21st, the Company also released its first set of ''skins'' allowing users to customize the look and feel of their toolbars. (The new skins are available at https://www.viewpoint.com/pub/downloads/toolbar_skins.html.).
''For a company that only late last year began contemplating an initiative in the Search industry, these results are impressive,'' says Larry Allen, Viewpoint`s vice president of technology. ''In a very short time, we have delivered a great product that provides a groundbreaking experience for users. The Viewpoint Toolbar team has every reason to be proud.''
Viewpoint expects to release Version 2.0 (beta) of its toolbar on May 26, 2004. This version will provide new features and will be further optimized for speed and functionality.
''We believe we`re offering users what they cannot get anywhere else,'' adds Mr. Amato. ''A way to search the Internet that`s fun and entertaining while still providing improvements in productivity and ease-of-use. And given that we`re getting such valuable feedback from our users and that we are committed to being a responsive and nimble company, we believe our product will continue to adapt and improve quickly.''
About Viewpoint
The Viewpoint Platform is the technology behind some of the most innovative, visual experiences on the Web and on the desktop with leading clients such as America Online, Electronic Arts, General Motors, HP-Compaq, IBM, Lexus, Microsoft, Samsung, Scion, Toyota, and Sony. Creative Innovator - the Company`s next-generation ad deployment and management system - and the Viewpoint Toolbar - the Vision for the Future of Search - are the latest breakthrough technologies using the full power of the Viewpoint Platform.
Viewpoint Corporation has 100 employees at its headquarters in New York City and in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Detroit.
This press release may contain ''forward-looking'' statements as that term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar expressions that reflect Viewpoint`s current expectations about its future performance. These statements and expressions are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause Viewpoint`s actual performance to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements and expressions. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include those described in the Company`s filings and reports on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as the lack of assurances that Viewpoint will release version 2.0 (beta) of its toolbar, or if version 2.0 is released, that it will provide new features and will be further optimized for speed and functionality; or that Viewpoint`s Toolbar will continue to adapt and improve quickly.
Viewpoint, Graphically Enhanced Search (GES), Pop-Up Slammer and DogEar are trademarks of Viewpoint Corporation. Other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. Copyright 2004 Viewpoint Corporation. All rights reserved.
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