Linspire Launches World's Easiest Desktop Linux, Linspire Five-0

1 January 1970

Linspire, Inc. today announced the release of its latest operating system, Linspire Five-0. More than a year in the making and with more than 1,200 improvements, the newest version of Linspire boasts enhancements in every core application and provides the most secure, reliable and easy-to-use desktop Linux experience available for home, business and school users. Highlights include a completely revised and streamlined graphical interface, improved laptop and hardware support, significant Internet optimization, and dozens of enhanced software applications to provide a complete user experience. The new Linspire Five-0 operating system is available immediately via digital download from www.linspire.com/buylinspire and will be available in more than 1,000 retail outlets later this month.

"For more than a year, we've analyzed and studied the user experience to create a Linux product suitable for the mass market," said Michael Robertson, CEO of Linspire, Inc. "Linspire Five-0 is so easy to use, it finally makes Linux practical for anyone - from a Fortune 500 executive to a kid researching a school essay."

Linspire Five-0 is a stable, secure Linux-based operating system that comes complete with major desktop applications, including OpenOffice.org ( a Microsoft file-compatible office suite ); Web browser, e-mail and instant messaging clients; multimedia viewers; photo and music managers; calendaring tools; and more. Access to additional software and applications is available through Linspire's innovative CNR ( "click and run" ) Warehouse, a software library where users can download and install more than 2,000 Linux programs in seconds with just one mouse click. For more information about CNR, visit www.linspire.com/cnrservice.

Linspire Five-0 is effortless to install and update. A new install of the operating system typically takes under 10 minutes. Once installed, Linspire Five-0's new "total system update" feature provides update notifications for both the operating system and all installed software. Users may then update manually or choose to have CNR Technology install updates automatically anytime they are available. Furthermore, customers with earlier versions of Linspire can upgrade to Linspire Five-0 without losing any stored data. For more about Linspire Five-0, go to www.linspire.com/os.

Linspire Five-0 Features and Benefits:

Complete operating system: Built on Linux kernel 2.6.10; includes KDE 3.3 plus integrated office suite, Web browser, e-mail client, instant messenger, and more
Improved security: New built-in VPN; new encrypted "wallet" for storing passwords and other personal information; pre-configured firewall; enhanced virus resistance with optional VirusSafe service
Advanced hardware support: Easy plug and play support for removable media use; one-step diagnostic reporting; broader video support with X.org 6.8.2; sound system with real-time mixing support
New, exclusive look and feel: Graphical user interface and themed Linspire environment; enhanced and expanded voice-narrated "How-To" tutorials
Advanced Internet optimization: New Hot Words integrated search feature; built-in automatic spell checking in all Web applications including in email, Web browser and instant messenger; built-in BitTorrent support; new AOL dialer; enhanced firewall; MailMinder service
Improved laptop support: WiFi profiles for mobility; Intel Centrino compatibility and AMD PowerNow; new wireless control panel and access point locater
Improved support for schools and businesses: OpenOffice 1.1.3 office suite; improved networking; Lassist Suite ( Reminders, MailMinder, Calendar, Address Book ); Nvu Web-authoring system
Improvements for home users: Lsongs Music Manager and Lphoto Photo Manager; RealPlayer 10; PhoneGaim Instant Messenger with free long-distance phone calls; Marble Blast Gold arcade game
Expanded support for popular Internet, office and media file types: Supports QuickTime, Windows Media, Flash, Java, Real, .doc, .xls, .ppt, .mp3, .pdf, .mpg, etc. ( complete list of supported filetypes at www.linspire.com/filetypes )

For a detailed list on new features in Linspire Five-0, please visit www.linspire.com/newfeatures.

Availability and Pricing:

Linspire Five-0 is available immediately for digital download at www.linspire.com/buylinspire. Two versions of Linspire Five-0 are available: Linspire Five-0 Digital for $49.95, and Linspire Five-0 Digital CNR Edition ( includes subscription to the CNR Service ) for $89.95. Boxed versions of Linspire Five-0 will be available at more than 1,000 retailers nationwide by the end of the month. Linspire Five-0 is currently available in English, and will be available in British English, Italian, French, Dutch, Spanish and German by the second quarter of 2005 with other languages to follow. For more information or to purchase Linspire Five-0, visit www.linspire.com.

For more information, please contact:

Heather MacKenzie
Linspire, Inc.
858-587-6700, ext. 263
858-587-8095 Fax
pr@linspireinc.com

About Linspire, Inc.

Linspire, Inc. ( www.linspire.com ) was founded in 2001 to bring choice into the operating system market. The company's flagship product, the Linspire operating system, is an affordable, easy-to-use Linux-based operating system for home, school, and business users. Linspire pioneered CNR ( click and run ) Technology, which allows Linspire users to download and install thousands of software programs with just one mouse click. The nearly 2,000 software titles available in the CNR Warehouse ( www.linspire.com/cnr ) include full office and productivity suites, games, multimedia players, photo management software, accounting tools, and more.

CNR, CNR Technology, CNR Warehouse, Hot Words, Lassist, Linspire, Linspire Five-0, LinspireLive, Lphoto, Lsongs, MailMinder, Nvu, SurfSafe, VirusSafe, and "The World's Easiest Desktop Linux" are trademarks of Linspire, Inc. All other marks herein may be property of their respective owners.