Violet Introduces 'Nabaztag,' the First Smart Rabbit for Wireless Internet Users, in the U.S.

		Nabaztag, the first smart rabbit to connect wireless Internet users in a playful and personal way, was recently introduced in the U.S. Nine inches tall, with movable ears, Nabaztag is an interactive rabbit that performs a variety of intelligent tasks for its owners, from reading text messages and emails to monitoring the weather to playing MP3 files. Nabaztag responds to commands issued wirelessly over the Internet and it can interact with other Nabaztags around the world. (PRNewsFoto/Violet) PARIS FRANCE

Nabaztag and Nabaztag/tag Launched at DEMO Fall 2006 PARIS, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Violet, the Smart Object Company, today announced the U.S. launch of Nabaztag, the first Smart Rabbit. Nabaztag is an interactive rabbit that uses non-intrusive, 'calm technology' to perform a variety of intelligent and emotive tasks for its owners and connects wireless Internet users globally with other people and their passions in a fun, personal way. (Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060925/NEM006 ) At nine inches tall, with perky ears and an abundance of personality, Nabaztag can read text messages and emails, monitor the weather and play MP3 and MIDI files, listing just a few of its functions. Nabaztag can also interact with other rabbits around the world, making the online experience more personal through this innovative, Wi-Fi connected device that appears more friend than gadget. Selected for inclusion at the prestigious DEMO Fall 2006 technology conference in San Diego, California, Nabaztag (the Armenian word for "rabbit") responds to commands issued wirelessly from the Internet. Nabaztag's fully mobile ears can engage in "ear play." Just move the ears of your rabbit, and the ears of your significant other's rabbit will move in the same way. Violet co-founders and Nabaztag creators, Rafi Haladjian and Olivier Mevel, are pioneers in the European technology industry, with a fifteen-year history of online innovation including the launch of France's first commercial Internet Service Provider, and the development of a range of extraordinary intelligent devices. "Nabaztag is not just a rabbit, but a messenger of emotion creating another layer of communication and expression between individuals online," said Violet co-founder, Rafi Haladjian. "Nabaztags take on the personality their owners create for them. Your Nabaztag can tell your spouse you are sorry, or remind a loved one that you are thinking of them. Nabaztag is about play, about joy -- and of course, about love. These are the reasons we connect with one another as human beings, and what makes the Internet a marvelous medium." Violet co-founder Olivier Mevel believes Nabaztag is the ideal invention for the post-PC generation. "Wi-Fi connectivity brings new opportunities to an entire generation that is no longer confined to seeing online communication in the shape of a PC, or in the guise of pixels on a screen. Nabaztag is the embodiment of calm technology -- using technology softly and non-intrusively to bring useful information or emotion into other people's lives. We are breaking the mold on what Internet communication should look like, should feel like, and should sound like. This is the tip of the iceberg for connected things and intelligent devices. Nabaztag represents the dawn of the Internet of Things." Nabaztag experienced a sell-out launch in Europe last year. Nabaztag/tag is the next generation smart rabbit, with enhanced features including a belly button microphone for two-way, verbal communication. Additionally, Nabaztag/tag will have unlimited time playing capability for podcasts and web radios. Early adopters can purchase Nabaztag from the online store, ThinkGeek.com or trendy Conran Shop in New York City, effective immediately. Nabaztag and Nabaztag/tag will be launched in U.S. stores with full online support starting November 18th. Nabaztag retails for $149 and Nabaztag/tag for $169. A full list of retailers will be available at http://www.Nabaztag.com. About Violet Founded in 2003 in Paris, France, Violet (http://www.violet.net) is a world smart objects and ambient intelligence pioneer, developing products and services using emotional technology to enable all types of objects to communicate and become intelligent. The company's fundamental goal is to allow advanced technology to become integrated into people's lives, without being obtrusive and time-consuming, or monopolizing the attention of the user. Violet established its reputation in the smart objects market with its first invention, the Dal Lamp, an award-winning "emotional messenger" exhibited to great acclaim at the prestigious Pompidou Center in Paris and elsewhere. (Nabaztag can be found at Demo Pavillion Station 66; Nabaztag high resolution images are available at http://www.nabaztag.com/press)