Cirrus Logic Selects iObjects' Dharma Digital Audio Platform for Maverick Based Systems

Business Wire, Jan 6, 2001

Business/High-Tech Editors

CES 2001 (booth no. 6247)

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2001

Companies Align to Offer Integrated Hardware and Software Platform

for Digital Audio Appliance Development

Interactive Objects, Inc., (OTCBB:OBJX), announced today at CES 2001 that Cirrus Logic has selected iObjects' Dharma(TM) digital audio platform for its new generation of Internet Maverick(TM) microprocessor-based hardware reference designs for digital audio appliances.

Maverick is the leading system on a chip (SOC) microprocessor specifically designed for digital audio devices. Dharma is an all-new hardware platform for digital audio that enables the development of a broad range of products based on a common, interoperable design. Together these products will enable a new generation of audio products including portable digital audio players, Internet radios, digital audio receivers, digital home jukebox systems and digital car stereos.

Dharma's unique design offers a completely integrated software and hardware solution that comes pre-configured for the most popular digital audio applications. "Dharma is an ideal solution for OEMs that want to better integrate and streamline their development efforts across multiple products."

said Scott McDonald, VP of Marketing at Cirrus Logic. "In combination with Maverick processors, Dharma provides a single development platform that allows OEMs to deliver a family of products that are interoperable, feature-rich, and easy to design."

iObjects' new Dharma platform will be displayed at the Cirrus Logic Booth (no. 6247) in the LVCC. In addition, working models will also be on display in the Microsoft Booth (no. 626) the Iomega Suite (N107), and the DataPlay Kiosk (no. 1357) in the LVCC.

Designed with Maverick

Dharma's design takes full advantage of the power and programmability of Cirrus Logic's Maverick Internet audio SOCs. Cirrus' new Dharma-based reference design will support the entire range of Maverick processors including the 7312, the recently announced 9312 and future Maverick processors. An Internet audio leader, the Maverick line targets new Internet audio markets where decoding audio and protecting digital content are essential. Cirrus Logic's patent-pending MaverickKey(TM) and MaverickLock(TM) technology provide manufacturers with a variety of security choices, including the highest "military level" security. Maverick on-chip security utilizes specific hardware IDs, such as those assigned for Secure Digital Music Initiative (SDMI) or any other authentication mechanism.

Integrated with Dadio

Cirrus' Dharma platform implementation is tightly integrated with iObjects' innovative Dadio(TM) digital audio operating system (OS). In conjunction with Dadio, Dharma will support the most popular audio codecs including mp3, Microsoft WMA, Dolby AAC, Audible, and Ogg Vorbis, and will manage large play lists of up to 6,000 hours or 100,000 songs. Dharma also works with Dadio's integrated digital rights management (DRM) capabilities, supporting both Microsoft's Windows Media(TM) and InterTrust's Rights/PD(TM) DRM software for embedded systems.

A Line of Digital Audio Appliances

Dharma is a multi-purpose development platform that enables the creation of a family of compatible products. Dharma standardizes the key hardware and software interfaces of a digital audio reference design so that core modules can be swapped in and out interchangeably. Dharma can therefore support a family of microprocessors and integrate virtually any storage solution including flash memory, spinning media and CD/optical disks. Dharma enables designs using either battery or line power, and can support a wide range of wired and wireless communications technologies including Ethernet, TCP/IP, 802.11, FM transceiver, 1394 FireWire, and Bluetooth. Dharma can also send output to just about any user interface including LCD, PC or TV.

"Dharma provides off-the-shelf hardware compatibility, a menu of embedded audio applications to choose among, and enables rapid entry into a growing market," said Dennis Tevlin, President and CEO of iObjects.

With Dharma, digital audio players will become intelligently aware of one another, allowing the automatic transfer of music or spoken word content across devices in the home, in the car, or on the go. Dharma devices will stream content to one another through wired or wireless communications protocols. Dharma devices will also share the same media for easy file transfer and content portability.

Pre Configured for the Most Popular Applications P. Dharma will support a variety of configurations including portable, Internet radio, digital audio receiver, home jukebox and digital car stereo. Dharma will include Dadio software SDKs for each configuration that are pre-tested and integrated into each hardware design. These SDKs greatly enhance an OEMs ability to evaluate, design and manufacture a final product. Because the SDKs are built on a common code base and modular hardware architecture, they offer OEMs the flexibility to mix and match functionality in each product category. Dadio SDKs speed OEM market entry and provide a solid base for future development.