Burton and Motorola Team Up to Produce High-Tech Snowboard Jacket

[Pat Donnelly]

Burlington, VT (Friday, December 9, 2005) - Kicking off the winter sports season, wireless communications manufacturer Motorola Inc. and Burton Snowboards today announced the commercial availability of the Bluetooth-enabled Audex Jacket Series.

The new Audex jacket allows skiers and snowboarders to experience seamless connectivity - at the touch of a button - from one environment to the next. The product was jointly developed by Motorola and Burton to bring wearable technology to active consumers.

"It is with great enthusiasm that we announce the commercial availability of the Audex Jacket Series," said Bruce Hawver, VP and Director, Companion Products Group, Motorola, Inc. "Whether you're an amateur rider or professional, this jacket equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology will change the way you connect - on and off the slopes."

"Music and technology are a huge part of the snowboard culture," says Bryan Johnston, Burton's VP of Global Marketing. "The Audex line makes it easier than ever to listen to music and pick up calls whether you're riding up the lift or grabbing a taxi downtown."

The Audex jacket line is a combination of Bluetooth Wireless technology from Motorola and Burton snowboarding gear, resulting in outerwear that acts as the control center for handsfree communication and entertainment while on the slopes ... or wherever a consumer may go.

At the center of the Audex jacket is a control panel located on the left- hand sleeve, allowing for simple and easy access to your incoming and outgoing calls, and music selections. Connect a Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone to the panel wirelessly, while hooking up your iPod player via hidden, unobtrusive wires within the jacket. Speakers and a microphone are located in the hood for taking and making calls as well as listening to music.

The Audex jacket is the first in a line of products co-developed by Motorola and Burton. The next products, the Audex Protective Gear, will be available starting in 2006. The gear includes the Audex Helmet and Audex Padded Hat, both equipped with Bluetooth stereo headphones, featuring easy-to-use control buttons for convenient and wireless on-the-go talking or listening to music.

The Bluetooth-enabled Audex Jacket Series is now available online at www.burton.com and Burton specialty shops. Prices start at $599.95 for the jacket

[RJ-PS]

As if soccer moms on cell phones in Hummers isn't dangerous enough. Now we'll have park boys stopping to pick up the phone mid run and camping out in the middle of the slope.

....or worse, everyone talking while trying to board/ski