Logitech targets Mideast digital music market

Logitech, the world’s leading manufacturer of personal peripherals, has launched the new Wireless DJ Music System to capture a larger chunk of the Middle East region’s US$ 58 mln digital music industry. The company has also launched the Z-10 Interactive 2.0 Speaker System, while all the products are expected to hit the shelves of the leading retailers in the first quarter of 2007.

The Logitech Wireless DJ Music System enables people to stream digital music from their PC to any stereo or powered multimedia speakers anywhere in their home and control it all from the palm of their hand. The three-piece system quickly connects the PC to a home-entertainment centre or speaker system using Logitech’s Music Anywhere wireless technology, which combines plug-and-play simplicity with the clarity of digital audio. The system plays any PC audio format, including MP3, iTunes (AAC), WMA, Internet radio, and podcasts. The Wireless DJ remote also includes an active playlist feature, called the DJ List, which allows people to add songs or albums to the queue without stopping the music. The system is controlled from a handheld remote with a built-in display and an iPod-like scrollwheel that lets users to view and navigate their music collection.

“The Wireless DJ Music System range and other products that we have introduced to the Middle East market will help boost our market share in this region and consolidate our market leadership in the high-end digital music segment,” said Robert Van De Vegte, Director Benelux, Turkey, Middle East & Africa. “We plan to leverage the UAE’s position as a technology hub and international centre for innovation and business excellence by implementing an aggressive marketing strategy to further boost Logitech sales across the entire region.”

The Logitech Z-10 Interactive 2.0 Speaker System features a groundbreaking design that will change how people think about and use PC speakers. With built-in touch-sensitive controls and backlight display that shows digital-music track information, a clock, volume and more, these trophy speakers are meant to be touched and seen – in addition to filling a room with studio-quality sound.

“According to a recent worldwide survey by analyst firm Parks Associates, 40% of online households play music files on their PC and 33% listen to Internet radio streams. However, less than 10% of these people are playing this music through their stereo. The music remains stuck on the PC, away from the primary entertainment system or other rooms in the house,” he said. “Existing solutions that bridge this divide are complex to set up, support only a limited number of music formats, or are priced out of reach for most consumers. This has created a huge demand for our innovative and technology advanced products from consumers who are looking for high value quality products.”