Plantronics, Inc., the world leader in communications headsets, and Philips Semiconductors, a division of Royal Philips Electronics, today announced that Plantronics has selected Philips Semiconductors as a technology partner in the development of their Bluetooth headsets. Bluetooth wireless technology will enable wireless communication between the headset and applications such as mobile phones, computers and PDAs, significantly increasing convenience and freedom.
Plantronics is basing its first Bluetooth-enabled headset on the industry-leading, second-generation Bluetooth chipset from Philips Semiconductors. This chipset provides high-quality sound and reliability at an attractive price. The first headset is expected to be available in autumn 2001, and will be fully Bluetooth compliant. With over 126 million Bluetooth-enabled products such as mobile phones, notebook PCs, digital cameras and other handheld devices expected on the market by 2002, both companies are positioned to participate in this explosive growth.
"Plantronics superior sound quality and expertise in ergonomics, combined with the Bluetooth wireless technology, will take personal communication to a new level of comfort and convenience," said Ken Kannappan, President and CEO of Plantronics. "This is a natural progression toward making the voice-activated technologies of the future easier and more effective. We`re pleased to be working with Philips Semiconductors to deliver hands-free, wireless headsets to our customers worldwide."
"Combining our expertise in silicon systems solutions with Plantronics` in-depth knowledge of the headset market, we will strive to encourage interoperability while developing high-quality products for our customers" added Peter Baumgartner, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Communications at Philips Semiconductors.
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Bluetooth
Bluetooth wireless technology is a new low-cost, radio-based technology, which provides an open standard for short-range wireless interfaces. Wireless communications products are the main application areas for the technology at present, although once established, Bluetooth wireless technology is set to proliferate in a far greater array of products. A 1999 Cahners In-Stat report stated that by 2002 the market for Bluetooth products will reach US$ 1.3 billion and will grow even faster than the cellular phone market. Equipment manufacturers for mobile phones, notebook personal computers, digital cameras and portable game systems are embracing the Bluetooth wireless interface. Global market potential, massive sales volume and low manufacturing cost due to economies of scale are the three important reasons why Bluetooth wireless technology is rapidly gaining acceptance as an industry standard.
Plantronics
Plantronics introduced the first lightweight communications headset in 1962 and is recognised as the world leader in communications headsets. A publicly held company with more than 2,400 employees, Plantronics is the leading provider of headsets to telephone companies and the business community worldwide. Plantronics headsets have been featured in many high-profile events, including Neil Armstrong`s historic "One small step for man" transmission from the moon in 1969. Plantronics launched the Computer Audio Systems Division to the public in April 1999 to elevate awareness and drive the direction of the PC headset industry. Information about the Company and its products can be found at http://www.plantronics.co.za
Plantronics were one of the five tech stocks that "looked particularly attractive" by Merrill Lynch in a research note issued in Mid December 2000. Two of the other five, Microsoft and Texas Instruments, are key business partners of Plantronics.