HD conferencing solutions provider ClearOne (News - Alert) has won a 2009 TMC Labs Innovation Award for its CHAT 170 hands-free speakerphone. The award was presented by Unified Communications magazine, a TMC (News - Alert) publication.

“TMC editors have previously honored the CHAT 170 with product of the year awards, but this recognition from TMC Labs is especially rewarding, as it recognizes the CHAT 170's innovation in the unified communications space," said Mark Child, ClearOne’s director of product marketing, in a release. "The CHAT 170 was only released three months ago but has already received three industry awards, this one being the most recent.”

The CHAT 170 is industry’s first speakerphone optimized for Microsoft (News - Alert) Office Communicator 2007. The plug-and-play speakerphone, which requires no software or drivers to be installed, easily connects to PCs or laptops via USB. It replaces the speakers and microphone of the PC or laptop with a high-quality, hands-free solution, perfect for crystal-clear audio conferencing for small groups. Best of all, the device gives users the freedom to communicate without being tethered by a headset cable.

“Globally, enterprises are deploying Microsoft Office Communicator at an ever-increasing rate and the CHAT 170 is quickly becoming an essential tool for high-quality, hands-free audio in this popular unified communications environment,” Child added.

ClearOne is a Certified Partner in the Microsoft Partner Program.

The CHAT 170 includes ClearOne’s HDConference suite of advanced audio processing technologies. Originally developed for professional conferencing systems, HDConference produces clear audio through technologies such as Distributed Echo Cancellation, noise cancellation, full-duplex audio, first microphone priority and adaptive modeling.

The CHAT 170 has three built-in microphones for full 360-degree pickup and a large speaker for exceptional, high quality sound. For users of Office Communicator 2007, it is the perfect addition to the office or conference room for greatly enhanced collaboration.

"ClearOne has demonstrated a commitment to quality and a commitment to the further development of the unified communications industry through its CHAT 170," said Tom Keating (News - Alert), CTO and TMC Labs editorial director at TMC. "ClearOne deserves this great honor and I look forward to seeing other innovative solutions from them as they continue to contribute to the future of the UC industry.”

"We're proud to grant ClearOne with a Unified Communications (News - Alert) TMC Labs Innovation Award," added Rich Tehrani, TMC president. "The CHAT 170 is clearly deserving of recognition for its out-of-box innovation."

The TMC Labs Innovation Award honors products that have demonstrated raw innovation, unique features, and significant contributions toward improving communications technology. The TMC Labs Innovation Award is not granted to the best-selling products, but instead to those demonstrating a significant contribution to the industry.

Earlier this week ClearOne announced that it had named Curtiss Singleton, formerly of Optoma Technology, as its new vice president of North American AV channel sales.