ClearOne (News - Alert), an HD conferencing solutions provider, has received a 2008 Product of the Year Award from Unified Communications magazine, a Technology Marketing Corporation publication, for its CHAT 170 hands-free speakerphone.

 

ClearOne, a Certified Partner in the Microsoft (News - Alert) Partner Program, developed the CHAT 170 for small groups or individuals using the Microsoft unified communications platform, Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007.

A true plug-and-play device, the CHAT 170 connects via USB to PCs or laptops to provide hands-free communications. So, for example, if you are traveling, you can plug the CHAT 170 into your laptop and take advantage of its internal microphone and speakers to greatly improve the audio quality of your on-the-road phone conferences.

 

"More and more enterprises are deploying unified communications applications such as Microsoft Office Communicator 2007,” said Mark Child, director of product marketing, telephony, at ClearOne, in a release. “As a result, products like the CHAT 170 are quickly becoming an essential tool in that working environment.”

“As a high-quality, hands-free audio peripheral, the CHAT 170 can greatly enhance the communication experience and provide organizations with a compelling reason to adopt collaborative conferencing applications that will help them reduce costs, reduce their carbon footprint, and increase productivity," Child added.

 

The speakerphone includes ClearOne's HDConference suite of advanced audio processing technologies, including Distributed Echo Cancellation, noise reduction, full-duplex audio, first microphone priority, adaptive modeling, and others.

“ClearOne has proven they are committed to quality and excellence while addressing real needs in the marketplace,” said Rich Tehrani, TMC (News - Alert) President and Editor-in-Chief of Unified Communications magazine. “Unified Communications is pleased to grant a 2008 Product of the Year Award to their CHAT 170.”

ClearOne made news earlier today when it announced that IT products supplier Digital China is now distributing ClearOne’s HD conferencing solutions in China -- including the Converge Pro, RAV, MAX and CHAT product families.