Automotive Mobile Audio Video

The world's largest mobile electronics market is primed for the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 6-9 in Las Vegas, Nev. Attracting more than 40,000 attendees interested in car technologies, the 2005 International CES(R) will feature more than 270 key mobile electronics manufacturers and service providers on its show floor.

"Whether it's satellite radio, vehicle navigation, compressed audio, source components, wireless connectivity, audio processors or other aftermarket products, the 2005 International CES is the main stage to catch the newest developments in mobile electronics," said Karen Chupka, vice president, events and conferences for the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the producer of the International CES. "Mobile electronics are evolving rapidly with audio, video, multimedia and telematics, creating a $6 billion U.S. market for car technologies alone."

Some of the major mobile electronics exhibitors at CES include Alpine, Audiovox, Blaupunkt, Clarion, Delphi, Directed Electronics, iBiquity, JL Audio, Kenwood, Mitek, Pioneer, Rockford, Sirius Satellite Radio, Sony and XM Satellite Radio. Two specialized TechZones also focus on the car market with the Digital Car/Telematics TechZone sponsored by ITS America and the Automotive Aftermarket Showcase. The majority of the mobile electronics exhibitors and both TechZones are in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC).

Buyers represented at the International CES include Al and Ed's Autosound, BMW, Best Buy, Bose, Car Toys, Circuit City, Crutchfield, Daewoo, DaimlerChrysler, Ford Motor Co., GM, Honda, Infiniti, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, RadioShack, Saturn, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. They include 26,000 mobile electronics professionals, 16,000 mobile computing professionals, buying groups and engineers from all the major automakers, members of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and aftermarket representatives.

Immersion Corp. (Nasdaq:IMMR), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, today introduced its innovative VibeTonz(TM) System -- a full-featured composition tool and mobile phone player -- that will enable handset manufacturers and content developers to bring the power and realism of touch sensations to mobile phones.

With over 10 years of proven success in force feedback technology for the PC and console video game market, Immersion has now set its sights on the mobility market. The company is working closely with leading handset manufacturers, operators, and content developers worldwide. Samsung, Immersion's first handset licensee, plans to launch its first VibeTonz-enabled phone for consumers this fall.

"As we embark on the next stage of the digital convergence revolution, VibeTonz technology adds compelling benefits to our mobile phone platform. We will be the first handset manufacturer to introduce a phone with this level of advanced touch sensations, creating the ultimate digital and sensory experience for consumers. The ability to use all of our spatial senses -- sight, hearing, and touch -- makes today's feature-rich phones easier and more enjoyable to use," said an executive of the Mobile Communications Division of Samsung Electronics.

Immersion's VibeTonz System enables the phenomenon of sensory harmony, in which the combined effect of individual senses is greater than the sum of their parts. Adding touch sensations to sight and sound cues allows greater realism and intuition in the way people navigate and use their mobile phone. Haptics(a) technology embedded in mobile phones helps solve the product differentiation problem for handset manufacturers and operators, provides more practical and interactive content options for developers, and redefines the quality of the communication experience for end users.

"Embedded touch sensations offer the world its first opportunity to experience sensory harmony in a mobile phone. The synergy of the three primary senses -- sight, sound and touch -- has an exponential effect on a user's experience, offering an unprecedented degree of realism," said John Grundy, vice president and general manager of Immersion's mobility business. "Using the powerful sense of touch to more fully engage consumers can drive more revenue, create differentiation and brand value, and increase customer loyalty."

SAN FRANCISCO -- Samsung and AG Interactive Developing Touch Content for New Mobile Phones Coming This Fall

Immersion Corp. (Nasdaq:IMMR), a leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology, today released a software development kit for adding orchestrated touch sensations to mobile phone applications and content. The VibeTonz(TM) Studio SDK, part of the overall VibeTonz System announced earlier today, enables developers to add touch sensations to a wide range of mobile content and applications such as ringtones, games, messaging, and user interfaces. VibeTonz Studio SDK is available now for creating new, compelling, and differentiated downloadable content or upgraded options for existing content.

Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., global leader in mobile communications, and AG Interactive's MIDIRing Tones, the media subsidiary of American Greetings Corporation (NYSE:AG), are among the first licensees of VibeTonz Studio SDK. Both companies are working on innovative touch-enabled applications, including downloadable games and ringtones for new VibeTonz-enabled mobile phones.

"With VibeTonz effects on a mobile phone, you can feel the music in a ringtone, even when the audio is turned off," says Bryan Biniak, senior vice president and general manager of AGI. "This creates a much richer, more enjoyable, and more personal experience for the mobile user. We immediately recognized the benefit of Immersion's VibeTonz technology. Beyond vibratory ringtones, we see it adding value to all electronic content including games, electronic greeting cards, images, and messaging."

VibeTonz Studio SDK includes several components. They are: VibeTonz Studio, a Windows-based composition tool and import utility; VibeTonz API for mobile application development; VibeTonz Device Connect Files, software bridges to target handset families; a VibeTonz Effects Sample Pack of example touch sensations; and the VibeTonz Demo Showcase, a Flash demonstration. This demonstration includes two real-life scenarios showing how VibeTonz effects enhance the user experience, an explanation of the variety of effect characteristics, and touch-enabled sample ringers, games, alerts, navigational cues, and emoticons.

TOKYO -- Renesas Technology Corp. today announced that its SH-Mobile(a)(1) application processor for 2.5G and 3G handsets will be incorporated into a new GSM/EDGE(a)(2) mobile phone model manufactured by LG Electronics and scheduled to be released in the United States this December.

This will bring the number of LG Electronics handsets incorporating SH-Mobile to six, including CDMA(a)(3) models and a GSM/GPRS(a)(4) model introduced in July this year. SH-Mobile provides multimedia functionality in LG Electronics' mobile phones, which are spread world wide, to realize a rich array of mobile services.

The new GSM/EDGE mobile phone incorporating SH-Mobile will be sold by Cingular Wireless, an American mobile phone operator. As the 3G service, EDGE is considered to mark the start of full-scale mobile phone multimedia capabilities in North America. SH-Mobile will play a key role in establishing a mobile phone multimedia culture in North America by delivering functionality including still digital photography, smooth video capture, high-quality audio playback, and playback of video content.

SH-Mobile is also used in the SV510, SV520, KV5100, and KV5200 CDMA handsets manufactured by LG Electronics. These have been introduced consecutively in South Korea since July 2004. SH-Mobile provides full support for the services offered by the two leading operators in South Korea(a)(5), the country where mobile phone multimedia services are most advanced.

SH-Mobile has low power requirements and implements high-grade functionality such as high-quality digital still photography at resolutions of 1 megapixel or better, MP3 audio playback, and streaming playback of MPEG4 video content.

In addition, the T5100 GSM/GPRS mobile phone model manufactured by LG Electronics features an internal antenna and a built-in megapixel camera. It is presently sold in China and a number of European countries including Russia and the Netherlands.

SH-Mobile has been enthusiastically received because it provides low-power operation and allows implementation of high-quality image processing and system configurations that are not dependent on a single communications standard. This is why it is used in a broad array of handsets manufactured by LG Electronics.

BURLINGTON, Iowa -- Fast Satellite Acquisition Time, Superior Reception in All Weather Conditions An Extensive Geographic Coverage Area

Winegard has been a leader in mobile TV reception for the RV market for many years. Winegard has now entered the automotive market, applying its advanced satellite antenna tracking technology to the new RoadTripXLP(TM).

"Unlike the Movin' View(TM) Series and the low profile LP-1000 in-motion satellite tracking systems that preceded it, the RoadTripXLP was specifically designed with a 33.4 inch width to fit between the roof luggage rails of SUVs, minivans, conversion vans and limousines, while using the same advanced DVB circuitry and GPS technology for fast and reliable satellite acquisition. Just as they do at home, these vehicle owners can now enjoy the same consistently clear digital programming on the move, as RV owners have for years," said Reed Brown, Director of Winegard's Mobile Group.

When Winegard introduced the Movin' View(TM) Series of domed in-motion mobile satellite TV systems for the RV market, it was first to provide automatic toggle (switching) between multiple satellites using a remote control. Winegard next focused on a low-profile version of in-motion mobile satellite TV systems, introducing the low profile LP-1000, only six inches in height, ensuring easy overhead clearance for even the tallest RVs.

The RoadTripXLP covers an extensive geographic area. The lightweight RoadTripXLP, weighing only 62 lbs and only 6 inches high, mounts securely to the rooftop of most SUVs and minivans for an aerodynamic, integrated look. The unit is easy to install and has tamper-resistant mounting hardware to deter theft. It also is removable when a vehicle is sold. The antenna housing is constructed of rust- and impact-resistant plastic which is sealed to keep out all elements, and can be finished to match virtually any vehicle color.

As evidence of it's potential impact on the market, Winegard's new low-profile RoadTripXLP(TM) Mobile Satellite Television System received an Editors' Choice Award from Popular Mechanics Magazine during the 2004 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show. The award was one of just 16 awards given to the thousands of products on display at both the SEMA and AAPEX shows, which ran concurrently during Automotive Week.

Automakers, exploring the potential of wireless technology, will incorporate short-range wireless communications chips in one of five new vehicles by 2007, according to a new study. Market research firm Allied Business Intelligence said the promise of dashboard mobile telephone dialing, more advanced stereo systems, and even more efficient car production has automakers looking at the use of wireless chips.

Also, car companies are exploring the use of long-range wireless to warn drivers when other cars are too close, and to allow emergency vehicles to communicate with surrounding cars to clear a path on the road. Safety, it turns out, is a focus as car makers study the feasibility of potentially distracting gadgets in the car.

The initial move to wireless in the car will be mobile telephones, said Allied Business analyst Frank Viquez, with luxury car makers like BMW and Mercedes experimenting with digital dashboards and steering wheels that will dial numbers on the driver's phone.

Chrysler is due this year to release its "UConnect" hands-free car kit, signifying the introduction of Bluetooth a short-range wireless communications standard -- in a production vehicle. But phones are only the beginning. Viquez said Toyota Motor Corp. is looking to replace the wires that connect car stereos to the vehicle with wireless transmitters and receivers. And Ford unit Volvo, Viquez said, has experimented with equipping its car-building robots with Bluetooth wireless capability to allow better communication with central computers.

"Hands-free telephony will be just the beginning. The introduction of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11) into the automotive environment promises to enable a slew of new and sophisticated automotive applications," said Frank Viquez, ABI Senior Analyst and report author. He also noted that a partial list of such applications include remote vehicle diagnostics, compelling and less expensive telematics services, highly advanced automotive safety systems, and remote audio and video downloads into the vehicle.

The car is certain to eventually raise new sets of privacy concerns. Viquez said automakers could use Wi-Fi long-range wireless to gather information on how a driver is treating a vehicle, and to better gather information on scheduled car maintenance.

DUBLIN, Ireland -- In order to have a comprehensive perspective of the current market conditions of domestic automotive electronics industry, the landscape of the enterprises competition and the relationship of the industrial chains; understand the technical bottleneck of automotive electronic products and the change of the market; analyze the relationship of competition and cooperation between vendors for upstream and downstream and the market performance; know the status of demands and supplies and the macro environment for automotive industry, get insight into the functionalities of automotive electronic products and the market opportunities; this research has dug up deeply the information and data of more than a hundred enterprises concerned in automobile industry, translated and organized the related foreign reports and articles; and finally compiled "Research report on China's automotive electronics industrial chains for 2004" through summary, analysis and research.

Research and Markets (http://www.researchandmarkets.com/reports/c9428) has announced the addition of 2004 Research Report on China's Automotive Electronics Industrial Chains to their offering

There are more than 1000 domestic vendors for automotive electronic accessories, but most of them focus on the field of low technological contents such as automotive audio system and automobile communication. As too many vendors come into this field, the supplies exceed the demands and some vendors have been suffering serious losses. However, the fields of engine electronics, chassis electronics, body electronics and so on that are characterized by high technological contents and high profits are almost monopolized by foreign vendors and joint ventures.

In March 2004, Amoi announced the establishment of the joint venture with South East (Fujian) Motor Co. ,Ltd for manufacturing automotive electronics;

In April 2004, Motorola announced the founding of the factory in Tianjin for manufacturing automotive electronic accessories; and the new factory will be put into production in 2005;

In June 2004, Panasonic set up Tianjin Panasonic Automotive Electronic Development Co.,Ltd, for manufacturing automotive multimedia products of high quality audio and video such as mobile communication and DVD digital player;

TOKYO -- Renesas Technology Corp. today announced that its new design company, Renesas Design France S.A.S in Rennes, France, has commenced operations in order to strengthen development capabilities on system platforms for 3G mobile phones. The new company is engaged in development and design of baseband LSIs for mobile phones.

Renesas Technology expects 3G handsets will account for around 50% of the total handset market by 2010. The range of advanced functions and complexity of 3G handsets is increasing, while at the same time product life cycles are becoming shorter and product offerings are growing more diverse. As a result, the development load and time pressures on mobile phone manufacturers and software developers are becoming serious issues. In response, Renesas Technology is shifting its business model from one based on supplying devices alone to one focusing on system platforms, including basic system technology and software.

Renesas Technology has been supplying system LSIs for mobile phones since the company's establishment. Under the SH-Mobile* product line, Renesas Technology has developed, manufactured, and sold application processors designed to connect to any baseband LSI. The ability to offer system platforms is considered essential to meeting the future demands of the market. Therefore, Renesas Technology has decided to establish the new design company to meet these needs. Renesas Technology plans to develop system platforms with mobile phones manufacturers and make full use of the new design company. A single-chip implementation of a baseband LSI and SH-Mobile with NTT Docomo, Inc., slated for completion in the first half of 2006, is one example.

The employees of the new company have transferred from the platform division of MELCO Mobile Communications Europe S.A., a mobile phone development company of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation. This step was taken to get the new enterprise up and running as quickly as possible.

The establishment of the new subsidiary will enhance the ability of Renesas Technology to provide total solutions tailored to the needs of the market by adding baseband LSIs to the company's highly regarded line of SH-Mobile and RF products.

NEW YORK -- 10-City Tour to Feature The World Drift Championships, Auto Cross/Time Attack, Drag Racing, Car Show, Audio Challenge, Dyno Challenge, Gran Turismo(TM) 4 Challenge and More

PRIMEDIA Inc. (NYSE:PRM), the leading targeted media company, today announced the launch of a new automotive lifestyle event series, Hard Drive. Poised to be the premier car culture event in 2005, Hard Drive (www.harddrivelive.com) combines the most popular motor sport trends from around the world with key car culture/lifestyle elements in a fast-pace, engaging environment. Hard Drive leverages the formidable automotive expertise of PRIMEDIA. With more than 50 brands serving the automotive market, including Super Street, Import Tuner, Sport Compact Car, Hot Rod, Motor Trend, and European Car, PRIMEDIA has the broadest reach to automotive enthusiasts of any media company.

"Hard Drive represents the next evolution of dynamic driving events," said Howard Lim, senior vice president, group publisher, PRIMEDIA International Automotive Group. "We are combining the hottest automotive trends with the expertise of PRIMEDIA's titles to create an experience that will change the standard for automotive events."

The Hard Drive event series is home to the fastest growing motor sport in the world with the launch of the World Drift Championships (WDC), where the sport's top professional drifters compete for the championship title.

Hard Drive is a multi-dimensional, interactive driving and lifestyle event that also features officially sanctioned racing and show car competitions, a gaming pavilion, live music, DJs, model contests, a vendor midway and more. A main attraction of Hard Drive will be performance car test drives. These "ride 'n drives" will give attendees the chance to put new and future models of manufacturers' vehicles to the test on autocross tracks, including models such as the Dodge SRT 4, VW GTI and Jetta A5, among others.

To add to the excitement, Sony PlayStation(R) will crown the ultimate tuner in a national competition at Hard Drive. Challengers compete in the five Hard Drive automotive events plus, Gran Turismo(TM) 4, the real driving simulator competition, to win "Top Dog" honors.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Award-Winning Speech Interfaces Now Available with i-mate(TM) Microsoft Windows Mobile Pocket PC and Smartphone Devices

The Fonix Speech Group, an operating division of Fonix(R) Corp. (OTCBB: FNIX), today announces an agreement with i-mate(TM), the specialists in Microsoft(R) Windows Mobile(TM) device solutions and supportive applications. i-mate(TM) will offer Fonix speech-activated dialing solutions, Fonix VoiceDial(TM) and Fonix VoiceCentral(TM), as downloadable software packages at www.clubimate.com -- the i-mate(TM) device-owner dedicated Web site -- and as bundled software packages to corporate accounts. Fonix receives unit royalty fees from i-mate(TM) for each download or bundled package sold.

"This agreement with Fonix furthers i-mate's strategy to meet our customers' needs in providing them with state-of-the-art technology solutions," said Michael Cavey, general manager of content at i-mate. "Fonix VoiceDial and Fonix VoiceCentral solutions increase convenience and safety for our end users."

"Fonix's marketing and distribution agreements with manufacturers like i-mate create value for the manufacturer, Fonix and the end user," said Tim K. Hong, VP of Fonix Mobile/Wireless. "Fonix benefits since i-mate will be marketing VoiceDial and VoiceCentral to their subscribers, and end users benefit because Fonix speech interfaces make i-mate mobile devices much easier and safer to use."

Fonix VoiceCentral(TM)

Fonix VoiceCentral is an interactive, hands-free software application for Windows Mobile Pocket PC devices that allows users to dial contacts and access Personal Information Management (PIM) tools or other programs like Media Player with voice commands:

--Dial contacts -- VoiceCentral utilizes the award-winning Fonix VoiceDial

--Listen to e-mail

--Reply to messages with a multimedia note

--Access calendar and tasks

--Play music or watch a movie

Fonix VoiceCentral is available in English.

Fonix VoiceDial(TM)

Fonix VoiceDial enables Windows Mobile Pocket PC users to place calls with an easy-to-use speech interface (no complicated menus to scroll through). Users simply speak the number or name to call, with no voice training required. Fonix VoiceDial is available in multiple languages: English, German, French and Spanish.

ARM (LSE:ARM) (Nasdaq:ARMHY), the industry's leading provider of 16/32-bit embedded RISC microprocessor solutions, today announced its Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) extensions for the ARM(R) architecture.

The new extensions increase processing capability of ARM Powered(TM) solutions in high-performance applications while offering the low power consumption required by portable, battery-powered devices. The ARM SIMD extensions are optimized for a broad range of software applications including video and audio coders, where the extensions increase performance by a factor of four.

The ARM SIMD extensions address the market's increased need for signal processing functionality across applications, particularly those associated with wireless communication and PDA platforms. Performance expectations of such devices are rising among consumers, and future product generations will incorporate demanding audio and video processing capabilities as standard features. As a result, developers will need to optimize processor performance within low-power systems. These new extensions leverage ARM's expertise in this field, maximizing the performance/power ratio while reducing overall system costs.

"High computing performance with low power consumption is extremely important considering the introduction of advanced user-interfaces, including video and audio functionality, in mobile and battery-powered form factors," said John Rayfield, director of Technical Marketing for ARM. "ARM is the industry's most widely-used embedded RISC microprocessor solution for these types of applications. With the introduction of our SIMD architectural extensions, we will enable our partners to develop sophisticated new products that support features never before seen in portable, low-power devices."

The ARM SIMD extensions simplify development of application software by offering a single tool-chain and processing device. This speeds time-to-market as software plays an increasingly important role in product development. In addition, the extensions are completely transparent to the operating system (OS), allowing existing OS ports to be used. New applications running on the OS can be written to explicitly use the SIMD extensions, providing an additional power/performance advantage.

HAUPPAUGE, N.Y. & TOKYO -- SMSC (Nasdaq: SMSC) and Renesas Technology Corp. (Renesas) today announced that they have reached a licensing agreement enabling Renesas to incorporate SMSC technology providing Digital Transmission Content Protection (DTCP) for DVD audio and video, including copy-protected DVDs. Renesas is also licensing SMSC's MediaLB technology, supported by SMSC's network interface controllers for its Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST(R)). MOST is a de facto industry standard for automotive multimedia networking deployed by virtually every major European automaker.

Mandated by the rules of the DVD Copy Control Association, an organization including content owners, DTCP protects digital DVD audio and video transported over a network. MediaLB is the chip interconnect standard needed for connecting to SMSC's new network interface controllers for MOST. By licensing SMSC's HDL IP blocks for DTCP and MediaLB, Renesas will be able to integrate the technology into automotive Application Specific Standard Products (ASSPs) and Application Specific Custom Products (ASCPs) with seamless connectivity to all existing and upcoming MOST speed grades and physical layers, while enabling the transmission of digital content over MOST networks.

MOST multimedia networking technology enables new classes of multimedia applications in automobiles. It facilitates the efficient transport of real-time streaming multimedia, control and packet information over a single optical fiber or twisted pair wire, eliminating the need to run multiple wires throughout a vehicle, and enables automakers to decentralize infotainment functions into various components distributed around the vehicle.

"Renesas' selection of the MediaLB interface demonstrates the commitment of Renesas to supporting SMSC's multimedia networking technology," said Herbert Hetzel, Managing Director of SMSC's Automotive Infotainment Systems group. "Integrating DTCP functionality also enables Renesas to deliver new applications supporting the DVD Copy Control Association's requirements for securely transporting content over a digital network."

The last few years have seen strong growth in demand for in-car audiovisual entertainment and navigation products. With the impact of the new developments in telematics and the increased demand for car instrument panels and car stereo display panels, the prospects for the global automotive display industry have been looking bright. This report will begin by examining the current state of the global car industry, before going on to examine the different types of automotive display technology and the size of the various application markets, design specifications, the strategies adopted by individual automotive display manufacturers, and the impact of telematics technology on the automotive display market.

Global Car industry production scale forecast by region, display panel technologies and automotive applications such as audio and video devices, head-up displays, and instrument panels; car display design requirements, major in-car display device maker profiles; impact of regulatory environment

Action Electronics, AisinAW, Alpine, AU Optronics, Bcom, Becker, BMW, Bosch, Chunghwa Picture Tube, Clarion, DaimlerChrysler, DELPHI, Denso, E-Bridge, E-Lead, Ford, Fujitsu-TEN, Futaba, Garmin, GM, Hamg Shing, Hannstar, Holux, Honda, Hsing Yi Technologies, Hyundai, Innolux, Kayang, Kenwood, Mitsubishi, Mobiletron, NEC, Optrex, Panasonic, Panasonic Taiwan, Prime View, Promate, Royaltek, Samisen, Sanyo, Sharp, Siemens VDO, Stars Nav Tech, TMD, VISTEON, Xan.