BridgeCo Launches UPnP-Compliant Wireless Audio Adapter -- Moving More Digital Audio to More Devices in More Locations, Wirelessly.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Intel Developer Forum 2003

DUEBENDORF (ZURICH), Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2003

BridgeCo (Switzerland) - in collaboration with Agere Systems (USA), USI (Taiwan), and MUSICMATCH (USA) - has launched an UPnP-compliant Wireless Audio Adapter (WAA) package. Demonstrations are being held at the Intel Developers Forum (IDF) in San Jose, California, from September 16-18.

Available immediately from USI, the WAA is targeted at OEMs that want to fast track entry into the growing wireless home entertainment market. Consequently, consumers are now able to network Internet- and PC-based digital audio sources with their existing audio devices, wirelessly.

The package consists of a small, standalone WAA (16 x 9.6 x 4 cm / 6.2 x 3.8 x 1.6 in.) that discretely plugs into an existing audio device such as a stereo system or self-power speakers. The WAA connects to the Internet for access to paid music services and thousands of Internet radio stations, which it automatically updates. The home PC, with free MUSICMATCH Jukebox Basic software installed, becomes the consumers' media player and personal audio library. Consumers configure their WAA network with an installation CD via their home PC in just a few minutes. A remote control and large matrix LCD on the WAA complete the package, providing consumers with a simple, familiar user interface. So, consumers will have easy, direct, wireless access to more digital audio from more playback devices in more locations, all without any extra cabling.

If the OEMs require distinct product differentiation and clear brand recognition, then the WAA industrial design, hardware, software, and language can be readily customized. OEMs can quickly integrate the WAA in their product families, and leapfrog from selling data networks to wireless entertainment networks.

"Our WAA platform - consisting of application software running on our DM800 network and signal processor - is the latest in our series of flexible, robust, platform-based home entertainment networking products," commented Christof Heidelberger, CEO & CTO, BridgeCo. "The consumer benefit is clear: more choice in more locations, with less hassle, less cost, and less wire."

The WAA platform incorporates Agere's WaveLAN(TM) 802.11b wireless networking chip set, including a direct-down conversion radio, baseband, media access controller, power management and software drivers. "Agere's WaveLAN chip set meets the needs of Wi-Fi-enabled consumer electronics such as the WAA by delivering superior price performance, throughput, range, power, and small-form-factor size," said Stan Swearingen, vice president of Agere's Computing Connectivity division.

CY Wei, Senior Vice President, COM Business Unit, USI, continued, "The WAA - a Swiss product, using American components and sub-systems, and manufactured at USI in Taiwan, for OEMs and consumers worldwide - proves USI's excellent consumer product development abilities and USI's capabilities for global cooperation with best-in-class players. The result is a low cost, high value line of CE products."

"MUSICMATCH is excited to offer our free, UPnP-compliant MUSICMATCH Jukebox 8.0 media player as an integral part of the WAA's user interface. This allows people to enjoy their music from anywhere in the home, which makes MUSICMATCH Jukebox more powerful than ever," claimed Bob Ohlweiler, Senior Vice President, Business Development and Sales, Musicmatch.

"The Wireless Audio Adapter is a great example of using UPnP compliance to create standards-based communication between PCs and audio playback devices. We welcome the WAA's targeted compliance with the forthcoming DHWG interoperability guidelines," said Louis Burns, vice president and co-general manager, Intel Desktop Platforms Group.

Company Profiles

BridgeCo

BridgeCo AG is a leading supplier of rich media networking solutions - semiconductors and software that network CE devices and PC's - that address consumer needs for anytime, anywhere entertainment. The solutions provide a variety of standards-based wired and wireless network and signal processing capabilities for audio/video receivers, musical instruments, multimedia loudspeakers, and digital video devices such as set-top boxes, DVD players/recorders, and television sets. Founded in February 2000 and based in Duebendorf (Zurich), Switzerland, BridgeCo is privately held with investments from Benchmark Capital, Earlybird, Infineon Ventures, and Intel Capital. For more information, please visit www.bridgeco.net.

USI

Universal Scientific Industrial Co., Ltd. (USI) is a leading global company in the DMS industry, established in 1976. USI's main products cover computing, communication, mobile and application specific devices, components and modules. Leveraging its expertise and experience in microelectronic packaging technology, USI's unique competition advantage contributes to provide the best total solution with high-quality, value-added, cost-competitive products and timely services to its customers.

USI is the reliable long-term partner for worldwide OEMs. In 1999, USI became a member of the ASE Group. With ASE's competence and integrating resources, USI is able to provide excellent solutions to its customers. For more information, please visit www.usi.com.tw.

MUSICMATCH

San Diego-based MUSICMATCH, Inc. is the global leader in personalized music software and services that let people find and listen to the music that best matches their unique tastes. The company invented the digital jukebox concept in 1997, and since then has registered more than 39 million users of its number-one selling MUSICMATCH Jukebox. Its MUSICMATCH MX service is the most popular online music subscription service, with 150,000 active paying subscribers. For additional information, visit www.musicmatch.com.

For detailed product information, contact:

Jonathan Claman, Director, Business Development BridgeCo AG, Ringstrasse 14, CH-8600 Duebendorf (Zurich), Switzerland [phone]

Fax [phone] [e-mail]

www.bridgeco.net or For sales enquiries, contact: Jenifer Lien, Business Manager USI, 141, Lane 351, Taiping Road , Sec. 1, Tsao Tuen, Nan-Tou, Taiwan [phone]

Fax + 886 49 235 1093 [e-mail] www.usi.com.tw