ADS Technologies Ships World's First AM/FM Wireless Stereo System for PC; "Cadet" Radio Provides Unique Data Reception & Capture; Wireless Messaging Available Soon.CERRITOS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 7, 1997--ADS Technologies, Inc., a leader in multimedia specialty hardware products, today announced "Cadet," a multi-purpose wireless FM radio data receiver that also brings AM radio to the personal computer for the first time ever. As an AM/FM AM/FM Amplitude Modulation / Frequency Modulation AM/FM Auto-Mapping/Facilities Management radio receiver, complete with stereo and CD player software interface, Cadet's patent pending RBDS RBDS Radio Broadcast Data System (derivative of Radio Data System) (radio data broadcast service) technology can receive data broadcasts via an FM subcarrier A secondary telecommunications channel that resides within the main channel (a carrier within a carrier). A type of multiplexing, the subcarrier is a modulated carrier signal at a lower frequency that is combined with the main carrier signal running at a higher frequency. , known as "smart radio." Users can listen to music in the background as they work, enjoy talk radio or even catch a sporting event - all from the PC. RBDS also displays radio text, providing information such as radio station call letters call letters pl.n. The identifying code letters or numbers of a radio or television transmitting station, assigned by a regulatory body. Also called call sign. and artist's name and song title being played. The RBDS subcarrier is extra, unused bandwidth on the FM frequency. With it, radio stations nationwide can broadcast directly to a PC equipped with Cadet. But this capability also poses broad, exciting implications for wireless news, weather, sports, stock and other information retrieval information retrieval Recovery of information, especially in a database stored in a computer. Two main approaches are matching words in the query against the database index (keyword searching) and traversing the database using hypertext or hypermedia links. , a service ADS plans to add later this year. Such services will enhance Cadet's use and turn the PC into a complete news and messaging receiver system. Consumers would be able to access wireless World Wide Web pages and perform wireless e-mail and voicemail alerts - all without access to the Internet. "This is going to completely change the way we use and enjoy the computer at home and in the workplace," said Mike McCoy The name Mike McCoy may refer to two former NFL players with the Green Bay Packers:
Cadet's software interface includes ID LOGIC, allowing users to quickly and easily scan/seek their preferred radio stations or music types. In addition, the "Radio on Demand" feature offers VCR-like functionality to record songs or radio shows - allowing preset automatic recording of up to 25 events with the timer feature. The product's RBDS technology also adheres to the FCC's new mandate for the nation's Emergency Alert System (EAS (Electronic Article Surveillance) A security system for preventing theft in retail stores that uses disposable label tags or reusable hard tags attached to the merchandise. ), by broadcasting alerts digitally over the FM subcarrier - even if the user isn't listening to the radio at the time. The Electronics Industry Association (EIA (Electronic Industries Alliance, Arlington, VA, www.eia.org) A membership organization founded in 1924 as the Radio Manufacturing Association. It sets standards for consumer products and electronic components. ) estimates that more than 700 U.S. radio stations are already broadcasting with RBDS, and a substantial number plan to add it this year. Major companies like Delco (GM), Ford, Pioneer, Denon, Onkyo, and Kenwood are also shipping RBDS-capable receivers or have announced plans to do so in the near future. Cadet is currently shipping with a retail price of less than $79. It comes with a one year warranty and will be available through the retail channel, as well as computer OEMs. Cadet is optimized for Windows 95, and a 486 PC is required (at a minimum). It ships with the Cadet AM/FM receiver (ISA (1) (Instruction Set Architecture) See instruction set. (2) (Interactive Services Association) See Internet Alliance. (3) (Internet Security and Acceleration) See .NET. 8-bit PnP add-in card), AM/FM antennas, stereo patch cable Same as patch cord. , internal audio cable, software diskettes, and a complete product guide. Other hardware versions are in the works. ADS Technologies, Inc. is a privately-held company specializing in high-quality desktop video and multimedia peripherals. Products include TV Elite Pro, a PC-to-video scan converter A device that changes the video output from a computer to standard TV signals, allowing a regular TV to be used as a computer screen. A VCR can then also be used to record screen output. that was voted "Best Product" by Computer Upgrade Magazine in 1993, and TV Tune-In for Windows, a video capture board and TV tuner for the PC. ADS Technologies, Inc. 13909 Bettencourt St. Cerritos, CA 90703 USA (800) 888-5244 (562) 926-0518 (Fax) E-Mail: mccoy@adstech.com World Wide Web: http://www.adstech.com CONTACT: ADS Technologies, Inc. Mike McCoy, 800/888-5244 (Company Contact) E-Mail: mccoy@adstech.com http://www.adstech.com or Impact Communications Matt Roberts, 310/285-8825 (Editorial Contact) E-Mail: impactt@worldnet.att.net |
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