BridgeCo Launches Design Partners Program for JukeBlox Networked Audio Technology

Business Wire, Jan 7, 2008

Compal, Attero Tech and StreamUnlimited to Develop Third-Party Software Using BridgeCo's New Processor and SDK

LAS VEGAS -- BridgeCo Inc. (www.bridgeco.com), a leading provider of audio networking solutions, announced the inauguration of a new Design Partner program for its JukeBlox[TM] Networked Audio technology. Released at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show, JukeBlox is a complete networked audio technology platform that incorporates BridgeCo's latest triple-core processor, Linux-based SDK, ready-to-manufacture hardware reference platform and a significantly enhanced feature set that enables consumers to intuitively access an unequaled range of digital music and Internet radio content to discover music that they truly love. The powerful processor offers generous processing bandwidth to enable a wide variety of innovative audio applications and unique user interface customizations. JukeBlox Design Partners are licensed to work with OEMs to create unique consumer products that leverage the power of the JukeBlox platform and enhance the middleware functionality that comes bundled from BridgeCo.

"We are very pleased that three highly respected third-party developers have decided to become charter members of our new JukeBlox Design Partners program," said BridgeCo CEO Gene Sheridan. "An expanding list of global audio brands are turning to BridgeCo for audio networking technology. Each customer has unique markets, requirements and design roadmaps, and our Design Partners will enable us to best serve these needs across the fast-growing list of consumer electronics brands that are entering this market."

Compal Electronics is a Taiwan-based Original Design Manufacturer (ODM) and contract manufacturer (CM) that produces IT, Communication, Consumer products for international branding companies. Their Digital Media Center has a core competence in developing of Wi-Fi[R], MP3, UPnP, digital media adapter and portable media player products. Listed on the Taiwan stock exchange, Compal has more than 25,000 employees.

"Compal is committed to supporting the design requirements of our many consumer electronics accounts worldwide," said Compal Digital Media Center Senior Vice President Tony Cheng. "We created our Digital Media Center to focus on the growing complexity of consumer designs. We anticipate many consumer audio OEMs will turn to the JukeBlox platform for their networked audio designs, and Compal has already made the investment on embedded software and system hardware skills that can enable us to meet these needs of our customers very quickly."

Based in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Attero Tech has developed iPod[R] interfaces and docking products, A/V systems and other consumer electronics for many global brands.

"Networked audio is a rapidly growing consumer application, and we are excited to be part of the BridgeCo Design partners program," said Rus Sundholm, President at Attero Tech. "Audio today can be sourced, transformed, managed and played in so many ways, the design options are almost limitless. JukeBlox really offers an incredibly nimble platform for wired and wireless networking, portable music player docking, intuitive user control and special audio effects."

StreamUnlimited has been developing advanced audio streaming, wireless and user interface designs since 2000 for a variety of global consumer brands. Based in Austria, StreamUnlimited was formed by engineers that developed some of the world's first MP3 products, and supported BridgeCo's platform developments in the past three years.

"As technology innovators, we are excited to be working with BridgeCo's new JukeBlox technology," explained StreamUnlimited CEO Frits Wittgrefe. "The power of their new triple-core processor, and the flexibility of their new Linux SDK, will enable us to create many outstanding designs for the global OEMs that are pushing into the networked audio marketplace."

JukeBlox Networked Audio Processor and Firmware Technology

JukeBlox is a complete technology platform that includes BridgeCo's next-generation networked media processor combined with the industry's first Linux-based middleware and SDK for networked audio products. The unique application-optimized processor incorporates a 240MHz ARM9, a dedicated security processor, a powerful new proprietary Audio Engine that can handle complex audio signal processing tasks, and integrated Wi-Fi baseband and MAC functions to reduce system cost and complexity.

The comprehensive middleware stack provides an industry leading feature set, and is combined with a modular Linux SDK for easy OEM development and customization. The unique JukeBlox platform incorporates all of the needed functionality to create a complete networked home audio product. The JukeBlox middleware stack has been radically enhanced to offer consumers an unequaled audio content and intuitive music discovery experience--delivered through a stunning new full-color QVGA video display and icon-based GUI. In addition, the processor and firmware combination is delivered to the OEM on a ready-to-manufacture hardware reference platform that can significantly reduce development time, effort and risk while speeding time-to-market.