AOL Announces Winamp App for Android

Enables Fast, Easy Integration of iTunes and Other Music Files onto Android Phone

First Wireless Sync on Market that Links Desktop Library with Mobile Device

New York, NY, November 30, 2010 – AOL Inc. (NYSE: AOL) announced today the general release of the Winamp application for Android (WAFA) that offers a complete end-to-end music management solution for Android – the fastest growing mobile operating system on the market today*. Winamp, a globally recognized media manager operated by AOL's wholly owned subsidiary Nullsoft, Inc., is used by 59 million people each month** and is the first major brand to introduce a media player for the Android platform. The app offers the first of its kind wireless sync between a desktop computer and a mobile device. Today's news is another example of AOL executing on its strategy to create more engaging and helpful content experiences for its users.
Android phones have experienced explosive growth in 2010, representing the first non-Apple platform in digital and mobile music in nearly a decade. "As the number two digital music management application worldwide, Winamp is uniquely positioned to be the go-to service for users on this new platform," said Kerry Trainor, AOL's SVP of Entertainment. "At a time when consumers are embracing Android mobile devices, AOL is innovating to meet that consumer demand. The response to WAFA's beta launch indicates that there is tremendous enthusiasm for a new music management system for Android."
"Many music lovers today have a vast library of music on their computer but lack an effective means to transfer their files to a non-Apple mobile device," added Geno Yoham, Executive Director, AOL Music Products. "Winamp now solves that problem for the ever increasing number of consumers who are opting to choose an Android device. We plan to continue to innovate aggressively on this platform."
The new, free app has been in a beta testing phase since October 21 and the reviews from the technology community have been overwhelmingly positive – an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 from users. Gizmodo, for example, said the WAFA beta "boasts sophisticated features." Lifehacker noted the "very intuitive interface," and Phandroid said "the biggest standouts are the ability to sync the library on your desktop to your phone over WiFi or USB."***
WAFA features include:

  • Wireless Desktop Sync – In addition to the standard USB sync, Winamp for Android offers Wi-Fi sync with the Winamp desktop client.
  • iTunes Library – A stand-out feature of the WAFA app is the ability it affords users to import all music and playlists from iTunes.
  • Mobile Media Library – WAFA is a complete Android media management solution that seamlessly updates a user's music library when changes are made either on the device or the desktop
  • SHOUTcast Radio – Users can access one of the world's largest radio directories; browse by genre; bookmark favorite directory listings, and view recent listening history
  • Persistent Player Controls – Always available controls allow users to quickly pause, change tracks, manage play queue and gracefully navigate through the application.
  • Widget Players & Shortcuts – Users can add playlist shortcuts along with a functional widget player to the Android home screen and also directly control playback from the lock-screen.
  • Now Playing – This feature displays song info, album art, artist bios, photos and discography. Users can press and hold on the track info to interact with other related apps installed on their phone like Pandora, YouTube and the Amazon MP3 store.
  • Scrobbling – WAFA supports scrobbling with the Last.fm app when both are installed, capturing users' mobile listening history in real time.
  • Ongoing innovation of WAFA will include the addition of new features and upgrades over time, including Podcast support, tablet support and more.

About AOL
AOL Inc. (NYSE:AOL) is a leading global Web services company with an extensive suite of brands and offerings and a substantial worldwide audience. AOL's business spans online content, products and services that the company offers to consumers, publishers and advertisers. AOL is focused on attracting and engaging consumers and providing valuable online advertising services on both AOL's owned and operated properties and third-party websites. In addition, AOL operates one of the largest Internet subscription access services in the United States, which serves as a valuable distribution channel for AOL's consumer offerings.

*Source: The NPD Group/consumer tracking service/mobile phone track (from Business Insider, chart of the day, 11/1/10)
** 'Worldwide comScore Media Metric October 2010
***Gizmodo, 10/23/10: http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2010/10/this-weeks-best-apps-17/
Lifehacker: http://lifehacker.com/5670589/winamp-beta-brings-a-unique-friendly-interface-to-android-syncs-over-wi+fi
Phandroid, 10/21/10: http://phandroid.com/2010/10/21/winamp-for-android-is-now-in-beta/


Media Contact:

Sandy Drayton
AOL
917-606-4720
Sandy.drayton@teamaol.com

  1. A live-streaming network that uses the HuffPost universe -- the stories, editors, reporters, bloggers, and community -- as its real-time script
     
  2. +330
    Non-Profits work with AOL Impact
     
  3. AOLers volunteer at Dress for Success
     
  4. People spend

    4X
    more time with Project Devil ads than with standard banners
     
  5. AOLer Ben Hills says

    I like creating something brand new with a great group of people to help drive it forward, including leaders who have the courage and vision to help us do that.
     
  6. Learn about Editions: The Magazine That Reads You
     
  7. AOL video viewers have increased

    6x
    year over year
     
  8. Anytime, Anywhere Tech Support
     
  9. 95
    AOL Artists
     
  10. AOLer Shilpa Mudiganti says

    The energy at AOL keeps me going like no other. For someone like me who thrives on ideas, the creative freedom at AOL is a boon and I love coming to work every morning!
     
 
  1. Daily Impact on AOL.com

    17B
    free impressions driven to causes
     
  2. There are over

    850
    Patch Towns
     
  3. AOLer Cara Santa Maria says

    My role at AOL requires me to be a leader, a learner, and a team-player all rolled into one.
     
  4. AOL invades NYC during Advertising Week
     
  5. 240
    Canvases created by AOL Artists
     
  6. We award Blue Monsters to our top employees
     
  7. Stylelist

    1
    ComScore Rank (Style & Beauty)
     
  8. AOLer Chris Nims says

    I've stayed at AOL for as long as I have because I love what I do, and I love the people with whom I do it.
     
  9. 15
    Employee Interest Groups
     
  10. AOL On offers the most relevant video on every topic sifted, sorted and served to you.
     
 
  1. Explore the stories of trailblazing women and inspire your own through MAKERS.com.
     
  2. +200M
    Comments on The Huffington Post
     
  3. AOLer Samantha Leibovitz says

    I love coming to work every day and being surrounded by such creative, passionate people.
     
  4. Join Homepage for Heroe's mission to recognize honor and support our troops
     
  5. Advertising.com

    183M
    US internet users reached monthly
     
  6. AOL Named Top Company for Executive Women
     
  7. One part genius. Three parts llama. And a sprinkling of corporate AOL. That's what Winamp is all about.
     
  8. AOLer Christina Wick says

    What motivates me are the people I work with every day -- they're passionate and dedicated, but they know when to have fun. I strongly feel AOL's employees are its biggest asset.
     
  9. Games.com

    1,500
    Free online games
     
  10. 1
    HuffPost Green ComScore Rank