Skype certifies the CHAT 160 Group Speakerphone from ClearOne

The CHAT 160 delivers a high-quality, hands-free audio experience for individuals or groups using Skype.

ClearOne announced the CHAT 160, a new group speakerphone specifically designed for use with Skype(TM) software. The Skype Certified(TM) CHAT 160 is the newest in a growing family of award-winning USB speakerphones from ClearOne.

The CHAT 160 group speakerphone easily connects to laptops or PCs via USB for natural, hands-free communication for anyone using Skype. The CHAT 160 is a powerful full-duplex device that delivers crystal-clear audio for voice and video communication. The CHAT 160′s sleek industrial design complements any professional environment, making it the perfect addition to any executive office or small conference room. Designed specifically for small group conferencing, the CHAT 160 has three sensitive microphones, providing 360 degree pickup for Skype users needing high-quality, hands-free audio.

“The CHAT 160 is a great complementary device to Skype and we are glad it is now available, especially for those businesses that utilize Skype in the workplace,” said Manrique Brenes, Skype’s director of business development and product management for consumer electronics. “As Skype usage continues to grow worldwide, many of our users around the world are looking for high quality hands-free peripherals. The CHAT 160 will enable them to communicate more effectively.”

“We are very pleased to announce Skype certification for the new CHAT 160,” said Tracy Bathurst, CTO at ClearOne. “As with our recently-released CHAT 60 personal speakerphone, the CHAT 160 underwent rigorous testing as part of Skype’s certification process to ensure it performed to a set of exacting standards. Companies that use Skype now have a powerful, yet portable collaboration tool for crystal clear group audio and video conferences.”

The CHAT 160 delivers wideband audio performance and contains HDConference(TM), the suite of audio technologies contained in ClearOne’s world famous professional conferencing systems. HDConference(TM) includes such things as full duplex, Distributed Echo Cancellation(TM), noise reduction, automatic level controls, and adaptive modeling. Taken separately, each technology is best-in-class and is a critical component for a remarkable audio experience. In combination, these elements make conferencing and collaboration with Skype more natural and productive. The CHAT 160 is completely plug-and-play, requiring no software or drivers to be installed, and is perfect for small conference rooms and executive or home offices.

The CHAT 160 has a suggested retail price of $399.99 (U.S.) and can be purchased from the Skype Shop (www.skype.com/shop).

Source: ClearOne


Yamaha Corporation has announced the development of SoundGadget “PSG-01S” and Projectphone “PJP-25URS”, both Skype-certified speakerphones with high-quality voice and audio. Yamaha plans to begin shipments in September 2009 to Europe and the United States.

PSG-01S is a personal speakerphone designed specially for Skype. Its high-quality microphones and speakers enable not only smooth simultaneous communication, but also clear audio recording and music playback via a PC. PJP-25URS is based on the high-quality web conference speakerphone “PJP-25UR”, which has been tuned up for Skype and is intended for multiple users.

Yutaro Nakano, Director of Sales of Yamaha Sound Network Division, commented, “PSG-01S and PJP-25URS are embedded with audio-processing technologies, such as adaptive echo cancellers and noise-reduction functions, along with arrayed microphones and stereo speakers that will provide high audio quality and stability. This is our new proposition to corporate Skype users for business — the satisfying way of gaining comfortable, hands-free Skype communication without the use of a headset.”

Principal Features of PSG-01S/PJP-25URS

1. High-Quality Echo Canceller

Built-in echo cancellers will completely prevent echoes and cut-offs, and provide smooth, simultaneous communication with comfort. The audio function is specially tuned for Skype communication, making it the ideal device for Skype.

2. USB Plug&Play + Bus Powered

Just plug it into the USB, and the Windows standard driver will run it automatically without the need for installing software, while supplying power without an AC adapter.

3. Skype Control Buttons

By installing this software, users can place or receive calls on Skype using the buttons on PSG-01S and PJP-25URS.

4. Wide-Band Stereo Playback

Despite the size, two embedded, high-efficiency speaker units with the all new surround formats are capable of providing powerful wide-band stereo audio.

5. Automatic Mode Switch (PSG-01S only)

Embedded acceleration sensors will detect the position of the unit and automatically switch the mode by itself. When the unit is positioned vertically, the unit is ready for Skype communication as a speakerphone. When it is placed horizontally, it is ready for music playback as a stereo speaker.

Source:

www.yamaha.co.jp/soundgadget/ (PSG-01S)
www.yamaha.co.jp/english/product/projectphone/products/25urs/ (PJP-25URS)


SCL3711 also enables contact devices with contactless and NFC technology

SCM Microsystems, Inc. announced the SCL3711, a new portable contactless smart card reader capable of supporting multiple contactless applications, from mobile payments to transportation, access control and e-government.

The SCL3711 is a high-performance, fully interoperable, multi-protocol portable USB reader that supports all major 13.56 MHz contactless technologies, including ISO 14443 type A&B, FeliCa(TM), MIFARE and DESFire. It additionally has the unique ability to enable devices with NFC (Near Field Communication) connectivity – just by inserting it into a free USB port or integrating it directly into the respective device. Hence, it resolves problems of compatibility and conflicting standards that have limited more widespread use of contactless devices.

“Contactless technology is already broadly used in the government, financial and enterprise sectors, and new programs are continually being rolled out. Our SCL3711 device helps to accelerate the many innovative contactless projects our customers have planned,” said Felix Marx, chief executive officer of SCM Microsystems. “The reader brings two big advantages: First, it supports all major contactless smart card standards and protocols, which makes it universally useful. And second, due to its small and portable form factor, the reader can easily be used in different environments. With the SCL3711, SCM Microsystems is once again demonstrating our ability to innovate with existing and new technologies to meet the needs of a strongly growing market.”

Due to its size, the reader can easily be used at home or on the road. It is designed to go everywhere and can be clipped on a key ring. The reader facilitates new and emerging contactless applications, such as purchasing tickets, logging on to a computer or network, downloading loyalty coupons and using eGovernment applications – all without having to swipe or insert payment or IDs cards. The SCL3711 further augments SCM’s portfolio of smart card readers, which also includes dual interface readers and tokens as well as contactless readers for desktop and mobile environments.

A complete software development kit (SDK) for contactless and NFC applications is also available for developers. The kit contains both the NFC-enabled smart card readers SCL3711 and SCL010 from SCM Microsystems, as well as a variety of popular contactless tags in different designs, comprehensive documentation, source code examples and demo applications. A professional license of SCM’s Smart Card Commander development and test software is included with the development kit, making it a powerful toolset for application developers.

The SCL3711 is immediately available worldwide. For further information, please visit www.scmmicro.com.


Miniature Form Factor, Bi-Directional Technology and Ultra-Low Capacitance Make SESD Protection Devices Suitable for Mobile and Portable Electronics Applications

Tyco Electronics announced the addition of three new devices to its line of electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection devices. The 0201-sized Silicon ESD (SESD) devices are approximately 70 percent smaller than prior generation 0402-sized devices and help provide protection and improve reliability of portable electronics such as mobile phones, MP3 players, PDAs and digital cameras.

The SESD device’s miniature footprint – measuring a mere 0.6mm x 0.3mm x 0.3mm – offers designers flexibility in space-constrained applications. Bi-directional operation allows placement on the PCB without orientation constraint and won’t clip signals that swing below ground. Designed to withstand IEC61000-4-2 ESD test pulses, the SESD device helps protect sensitive integrated circuits (ICs).

Tyco Electronics’ initial offerings in the 0201 chip scale package (CSP) include the SESD0201C-006-058 and the SESD0201C-120-058. The SESD0201C-006-058 is a bi-directional and ultra-low capacitance 0.6 picofarad (pF) device that is suitable for protecting very-high-speed data lines, such as USB and HDMI, or low-voltage antenna ports. The device’s ultra-low capacitance, low insertion loss (<0.5dB up to 3GHz) and high linearity of voltage vs. frequency helps minimize signal degradation.

The SESD0201C-120-058 is a higher capacitance (12pF) device that can be used for low-speed generic interfaces such as keypads, power buttons, speakers and microphone ports in portable electronics. Both SESD0201C-006-058 and SESD0201C-012-058 devices offer 8kV contact and 15kV air discharge protection per the IEC61000-4-2 standard.

“As integrated circuits shrink, so does their ability to withstand ESD stress, thereby increasing the risk of circuit damage,” said Patrick Hibbs, Global Communication Systems Marketing and ESD Business Manager for Tyco Electronics’ Raychem Circuit Protection Products. “Our new SESD product line helps designers faced with difficult board routing and space requirements. New micro-USB and micro-HDMI connections in portable electronics are excellent examples of applications where miniature surface-mount passives can help provide a robust, space-saving and cost-effective ESD protection solution.”

Tyco Electronics is also introducing the SESD0402S-005-054 device, an ultra-low capacitance SOD-923 (i.e., 0402-size package) device with 0.5pF typical capacitance, and a 10kV contact discharge rating per IEC61000-4-2 for use with digital applications such as USB and HDMI.

For further information or technical assistance, call (800) 227-7040, or visit www.circuitprotection.com.

Price: Available on request
Availability: All devices are available now.
Delivery: 10 weeks ARO


DVI, USB and Audio with infinite possibilities?

New AdderLink Infinity Challenges Traditional KVM Approaches

Imagine combining Adder’s expertise in spatially lossless video extension, USB true emulation and crisp audio distribution with all the advantages of an infinitely configurable and scalable IP network. The result is a computer media distribution solution the power of which has not been seen before.

The new AdderLink INFINITY delivers to its users a uniquely flexible method of working with computers. AdderLink INFINITY allows you to pick and choose media elements (video, audio and USB) from computers located anywhere on your network and present them either to a single receiver, or broadcast them to as many receivers as you wish. You can then hand over control of USB devices to anyone else on the network at the touch of a button, and collaborate with the benefit of digital video clarity. Alternately, you can use the system to switch back and forth between computers located anywhere on your network.

The AdderLink INFINITY units come in two types, Transmitters (Tx) which connect to your computers, and Receivers (Rx) which connect to the screen, speakers and USB devices. “Absolute flexibility is the cornerstone of this new product” said Adrian Dickens – Managing Director of Adder. “You can deploy a simple point to point extension model, or you can apply AdderLink INFINITY to a sprawling enterprise scale network and deliver multicast audio & video to an endless number of receivers. Furthermore, you can use an endless number of transceivers to connect any user, any place to any computer any place while maintaining total digital fluidity”

Digital Fluidity describes the transparent way in which the product works. As a user, you can connect to any computer or channel (a mixture of video, audio and USB from different locations) using the inbuilt EPG (electronic program guide) much like a TV set top box. Once you have chosen a computer or channel to work with, the experience is indistinguishable from using a computer at your desk.

To manage your installation, Adder have also developed A.I.M. (AdderLink Infinity Management system). Connected directly to your network, A.I.M. allows you to configure and control all the Tx and Rx units deployed, manage channels and apply user and group based access privileges in real time.

Potential applications for the AdderLink INFINITY are widespread from Broadcast, Post Production and Medical through to Banking, Defence, Research establishments or Command and control. Share control, take control, and collaborate with colleagues live on any channel. Relocate, secure and environmentally isolate computer hardware. Take absolute control of an installation from anywhere on the network using A.I.M.

Source: Adder Technology





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