Maverick Processors Emerge as a Leader for Embedded Linux Internet Appliances.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

LinuxWorld Conference & Expo

Booth No. 632

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 15, 2000

Economics and Time-to-Market of Maverick Processor with Embedded

Linux Sparks Innovative Consumer Products

Cirrus Logic Inc. (Nasdaq:CRUS) today announced multiple new design wins for its Maverick processors running embedded Linux in recently reported Internet products such as the futuristic IBM Internet appliance wrist watch prototype, S3's Diamond Rio(tm) Receiver and PhatNoise's PhatBox(tm) car audio system.

The combination of rapid time-to-market and flexibility are among the key reasons customers chose Maverick processors for embedded Linux in consumer applications. This customer trend should continue to expand as upcoming Internet products such as Web tablets, Personal Device Appliances (PDAs), TV Internet boxes and audio jukeboxes are announced.

The recently announced IBM Internet appliance wristwatch prototype would allow consumers to send and receive email on the go, giving them the convenience and time-saving advantages of an Internet connection without wires or plugs. Winner of ZDNet's first-ever "Tech Trendsetter" award, Rio's Receiver enables consumers to stream MP3 music from a PC to any room in the house, giving consumers access to MP3 music in their living room stereo, where they were previously limited to portable digital audio players. PhatNoise's PhatBox car audio system, which won "Best Overall Product" at the Third Annual MP3 Summit, gives consumers the capability to take MP3 music files from their PC and listen to them in the sound system of their car.

"As a leader in embedded processors for Internet audio and information appliances, we are seeing strong customer demand for embedded Linux in consumer applications," said Matthew Perry, vice president and general manager of Cirrus Logic's Embedded Processor Division.

Rio Receiver is a great example using the Maverick processor with embedded Linux. "We selected Linux for our latest home audio device, the Rio Receiver, because of its open architecture," said Mike Reed vice president of marketing of S3's Rio division. "This allows us accelerated time-to-market while maintaining ease of use for consumers."

Perry noted, "Maverick processors are strategically positioned to be a leader in the embedded Linux market because of their flexibility, long battery life and rapid design cycles. That gives our customers the capability to get their products to market first."

Art Swift, chief operating officer of LynuxWorks, commented, "The embedded Linux market is exploding. We're seeing Maverick processors and Linux OS designed into consumer devices ranging from PDAs and Web tablets to GPS devices. The versatility of the Maverick processor coupled with its cutting edge technology, positions Cirrus Logic to be a market leader in the embedded Linux space."

The PhatNoise PhatBox car audio system is an outstanding illustration of Maverick processors' time-to-market advantage. "The PhatNoise Car Audio System demanded a powerful, flexible platform to keep pace with the quickly evolving digital audio and car stereo environments," said Dannie Lau, CEO, PhatNoise. "The pairing of Linux with Cirrus Logic ARM processor provided a robust, mature and cost-effective solution that allowed us to develop our award-winning Car Audio System in record time."

Linux and Cirrus Logic

Cirrus Logic has a broad Linux product offering for the Maverick EP7211 and EP7212 and is committed to enhancing the Linux offering for these products and newly announced products such as the EP9312. The Linux code, including the complete source for the operating system, its 2.2.1 kernel, BASH shell display, driver touch screen keyboard and TCP/IP networking protocol stack are available at: http://www.maverickaudio.com.

A demonstration of the Linux environment on the Maverick EP7212 showing key features including MP3 audio support will be at LinuxWorld expo in ISD Corporation booth, number 632, in San Jose, Calif., Aug. 14-16.

Maverick

Maverick is Cirrus Logic's brand of market specific processors for Internet appliances. The system-on-chip architecture utilizes an ARM core combined with application specific functions. For more information on Maverick processors visit http://www.maverickaudio.com.

In addition to Linux, Maverick processors provide a wide variety of choices for other operating systems including WinCE, eCOS, EPOC, Palm OS and VxWorks.

Cirrus Logic

Cirrus Logic is a premier supplier of high-performance analog and DSP chip solutions for Internet entertainment electronics. Building on its global market share leadership in audio integrated circuits and its rich mixed-signal patent portfolio, the company targets high-volume audio, storage and communications applications. Cirrus Logic sells its products under the Crystal(R), Maverick and 3Ci(tm) brands as well as its own name. Founded in 1984 in Silicon Valley, Cirrus Logic operates from headquarters in Austin, Texas, and major sites located in Fremont, Calif., and Broomfield, Colo., as well as offices in Europe, Japan and Asia. More information about Cirrus Logic is available at www.cirrus.com.

Safe Harbor Provision

Any forward-looking statements and all other statements that may be made in this news release that are not historical facts are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially. Please refer to Cirrus Logic's current Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for more information on the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Cirrus Logic and Crystal are registered trademarks of Cirrus Logic Inc. All other product names noted herein may be trademarks of their respective holders.