Qualcomm, Ubixon and Audiovox to Deliver Industry's First Stereo Bluetooth Device with Qualcomm's MEMS Direct View Display
- Product to be Available to Consumers for the 2007 Holiday Season -
SAN DIEGO, Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated (Nasdaq: QCOM), and Ubixon Co., Ltd., a developer of ubiquitous portable consumer devices, today at CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment 2007 announced their collaboration with Audiovox Accessories Corporation to bring the industry's first direct view MEMS display to market. The Acoustic Research ARWH1 headset from Audiovox Accessories is the first product to feature an Interferometric Modulation (IMOD) display from Qualcomm. With a MSRP of $99.99, the ARWH2 headset will be available in retail locations by November 2007, in time for the holiday season.
Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc. has developed the industry's first direct view MEMS display for mobile devices -- a true technological innovation that offers low power consumption and superb viewing quality in a wide range of environmental conditions, including bright sunlight. Based on a reflective technology, Qualcomm's MEMS displays require no backlighting and therefore consume significantly less power than standard displays in portable devices. The displays work by reflecting light so that specific wavelengths interfere with each other to create color. The phenomenon that makes a butterfly's wings shimmer is the same process used in Qualcomm MEMS displays.
The Acoustic Research ARWH1 is one of the industry's first Bluetooth(R) headsets capable of delivering visual information -- such as caller ID, battery level and status alerts -- as icons and text on the main screen. Through the use of Qualcomm's MEMS display, users are able to see this information in virtually all viewing environments. The device includes a 3.5mm audio jack for use with any standard earphones, an attachable/detachable clip, and a five-way button for easy control of the headset. In addition, the new headset includes the XEN 3D Sound solution, offering five distinctive sound effects, echo cancellation and noise suppression, to provide a comfortable listening environment.
"We are excited to work with Audiovox Accessories to bring Qualcomm's MEMS displays directly to consumers," said Jim Cathey, vice president of business development, Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc. "Customers will immediately appreciate Ubixon's user friendly design and Qualcomm's highly visible, low power MEMS display."
"In working with Audiovox Accessories and Qualcomm, it was clear that all parties involved were looking to push the bar higher in terms of the consumer experience," said Su-Tab Choi, chief executive officer of Ubixon Co., Ltd. "We're eager for consumers to realize the benefits of Qualcomm's MEMS display, enabling them to view song titles, volume controls and incoming caller information at a glance, in combination with the features of the Acoustic Research ARWH2 Bluetooth headset."
"This product has a distinct difference that will resonate with consumers who have to have the most innovative and highest quality wireless devices on the market," said Lou Lenzi, senior vice president of product management, Audiovox Accessories. "We're excited to launch this industry-first product under the Acoustic Research brand."
Qualcomm MEMS displays are a breakthrough technology that delivers substantial performance benefits over competing display technologies. The reflective displays require no backlighting and can be viewed in bright sunlight and in a wide range of environments. These displays offer a significant reduction in power consumption as compared to other display technologies, extending device battery life and enabling new features.
Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc. is delivering the industry's first direct view MEMS displays. Using advanced MEMS technologies, Qualcomm MEMS displays support Qualcomm's overall innovation strategy of increasing the capability of mobile devices while minimizing power consumption. Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc. is headquartered in San Diego, Calif., with offices in San Jose, Calif. and Hsinchu, Taiwan.
Qualcomm Incorporated (www.qualcomm.com) is a leader in developing and delivering innovative digital wireless communications products and services based on CDMA and other advanced technologies. Headquartered in San Diego, Calif., Qualcomm is included in the S&P 500 Index and is a 2007 FORTUNE 500(R) company traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(R) under the ticker symbol QCOM.
Audiovox (Nasdaq: VOXX) is a recognized leader in the marketing of automotive entertainment, vehicle security and remote start systems, consumer electronics products and accessories. The company is number one in mobile video and places in the top ten of almost every category that it sells. Among the lines marketed by Audiovox are its mobile electronics products including mobile video systems, auto sound systems including satellite radio, vehicle security and remote start systems; consumer electronics products such as portable DVD players, Portable GPS, flat-panel TV's, extended range two-way radios, multi media products like digital picture frames and home and portable stereos as well as consumer accessories such as indoor/outdoor antennas, connectivity products, headphones, speakers, wireless solutions, remote controls, power surge protectors and media cleaning storage devices. The company markets its products through an extensive distribution network that includes power retailers, 12-volt specialists, mass merchandisers and an OE sales group. The company markets products under the Audiovox, Jensen, Acoustic Research, Advent, Code Alarm, Terk, and Prestige brands, as well as the recently-acquired rights from Thomson's America's consumer electronics accessory business to the RCA brand for Consumer Electronics accessories. The acquisition also includes the Recoton, Spikemaster, Ambico and Discwasher brands for use on any products and the Jensen, Advent, Acoustic Research and Road Gear brands for accessory products. Audiovox already owns Jensen, Advent, Acoustic Research and Road Gear brands for electronics products as part of prior acquisitions. For additional information, visit our web site at www.audiovox.com
Ubixon Co., Ltd. (http://www.ubixon.net/English) is an emerging developer of ubiquitous portable consumer devices. Headquartered in Seoul, Korea, Ubixon currently exports its patented Bluetooth products to North America, Europe and Asia. Ubixon's parent company, Uclick Co., Ltd., is a South Korea- based financial Internet portal and technology company.
Qualcomm is a registered trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
Qualcomm Contacts:
Cheryl Schwarzman, Qualcomm MEMS Technologies, Inc.
Phone: 1-858-651-6276
Email: contactqmt@qualcomm.com
Emily Kilpatrick, Corporate Communications
Phone: 1-858-845-5959
Email: corpcomm@qualcomm.com
John Gilbert, Investor Relations
Phone: 1-858-658-4813
Email: ir@qualcomm.com
Ubixon Contact:
Kevin Cho, Ubixon Co., Ltd.
Phone: 82-2-34-55-1281
Email: kevin@ubixon.net
Audiovox Contact:
Name: Pam Golden Loder
Phone: 1-908-889-8300
Email: pgloder@goldenloder.com
SOURCE Qualcomm Incorporated
Released October 23, 2007