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CSR Behind World's First Bluetooth VoIP Dongle Design for Skype Calls; Voice Dongle 1 Offers Complete 'Plug and Play' Solution for Rapid Time to Market
CAMBRIDGE, England --(Business Wire)-- March 14, 2006 -- CSR plc (LSE:CSR):
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CSR PLC (LSE:CSR) the wireless specialist and global leader in Bluetooth technology, today announced the world's first true plug and play dongle for making wireless voice over IP (VoIP) calls. The CSR Voice Dongle 1 package incorporates all the elements required for manufacturers to produce a low cost plug and play USB dongle for making Skype(TM) VoIP calls over a Bluetooth mono headset. The first complete solution of its kind, Voice Dongle 1 will allow CSR customers to create a product which pairs automatically with the user's Bluetooth headset, integrates seamlessly with the computer's Skype software and requires no separate installation software. This benchmark design package is available now to CSR customers worldwide.
The use of free or low cost telephony over Internet protocol (VoIP) has experienced dramatic take-up in recent years due to the fact that calling using VoIP is low cost and convenient. Adding to this the ability to take the call using a Bluetooth headset, without being forced to sit at a computer desk, makes it even more attractive. Unlike other dongles, the Voice Dongle solution from CSR enables consumers to quickly set up wireless VoIP, as it requires no installation software.
Once plugged into the USB port of a PC, the dongle will pair automatically with a discoverable headset and will allow the user to accept or reject, adjust the volume up or down and mute calls using the mono headset.
Karen Parnell, Product Marketing Manager at CSR said, "The CSR Voice Dongle 1 solution enables designers to produce a VoIP Dongle quickly and easily by providing all of the elements needed for the development. This includes a software development environment, fully interoperability-tested application code, hardware reference design and design documentation. This will dramatically reduce the time to market for VoIP Bluetooth Dongles."
The hardware reference design includes everything needed to manufacture a dongle including PCB design files and documentation.
"As the leader in headsets for business users, we understand the importance of delivering innovative products quickly," said Chuck Yort, vice president of Business Solutions at Plantronics. "Partnering with CSR on the Voice Dongle solution enabled Plantronics to rapidly develop a fully interop tested VoIP product that we will bring to market in the very near future."
The market for VoIP has seen dramatic growth recently with the number of Skype downloads sailing past the 236 million mark. The use of a Bluetooth headset for VoIP calls means that users are no longer tied to a PC and can move around without missing a call. This makes Skype even more attractive as the main form of home communication without the costs associated with land lines.
Further information on this latest audio Bluetooth solution can be found at www.csr.com/audio.
About CSR
CSR plc is the leading global provider of Bluetooth technology and has developed expertise in other single-chip wireless communication standards such as Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11). CSR offers developed hardware/software solutions for Bluetooth based around BlueCore, a fully integrated 2.4 GHz radio, baseband and microcontroller.
CSR has now launched its fifth generation BlueCore suite and is in volume manufacture of its fourth generation BlueCore devices. BlueCore4 supports the Enhanced Data Rate (EDR) standard which was ratified at the end of 2004. BlueCore4 remains the only EDR silicon to be shipping in volume today. In November 2004 CSR launched UniFi, the first single chip 802.11a/b/g embedded solution specifically targeting the mobile phone and consumer electronics markets.
BlueCore features in over 50 per cent of all Bluetooth devices shipped and over 60 per cent of all qualified Bluetooth enabled products and modules listed on the Bluetooth website with industry leaders including Nokia, Dell, Panasonic, Sharp, Motorola, IBM, Apple, NEC, Toshiba, RIM and Sony using BlueCore devices in their range of Bluetooth products.
In March 2005, CSR acquired Clarity Technologies Inc., for its Clear Voice Capture (CVC) technology that enhances the audio performance of any voice-based product or system. Applications for CVC include wireless headsets, handsets and automotive hands free systems.
In August 2005, CSR completed the acquisition of UbiNetics' software business, providing a strong R&D team to accelerate its existing software development in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and UWB. The UbiNetics team gives CSR the capacity to extend its offering to mobile handset customers.
CSR has its headquarters and offices in Cambridge, UK, and offices in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, China, India, France, Denmark, Sweden and both Texas and Detroit in the USA.
More information can be found at www.csr.com and the partner web site www.btdesigner.com
More information about Bluetooth technology can be found on the SIG web site at www.bluetooth.com
About Skype
Skype is the world's fastest growing service for Internet communication, allowing people everywhere to make unlimited voice and video calls for free. Skype is available in 27 languages and is used in almost every country around the world. Skype generates revenue through its premium service offerings such as making and receiving calls to and from landline and mobile phones, as well as voicemail and call forwarding services. Skype also has a growing network of hardware and software partners. Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). To learn more visit www.skype.com.
Skype is not a telephony replacement service and cannot be used for emergency calling.
About Plantronics
In 1969, a Plantronics headset carried the historic first words from the moon: "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." Since then, Plantronics has become the headset of choice for mission-critical applications such as air traffic control, 911 dispatch, and the New York Stock Exchange. Today, this history of Sound Innovation(TM) is the basis for every product we build for the office, contact center, personal mobile, entertainment and residential markets. The Plantronics family of brands includes Plantronics, Altec Lansing, Clarity, and Volume Logic. For more information, go to www.plantronics.com or call (800) 544-4660.
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