Liquid Audio And Ti Team Up To Spur Market For Portable Music Devices

EDP Weekly's IT Monitor, March 1, 1999

Companies Will Develop Reference Design For Securely Downloading Music From Internet

Liquid Audio Inc., a Redwood City, Calif., developer of online distribution systems, and Texas Instruments, a leader in digital processing and analog hardware solutions, are developing a reference design for a new generation of portable audio products. Together, TI and Liquid Audio say they will provide hardware and software solutions that enable consumer electronics companies to incorporate "important music copyright protection" into next-generation devices that down load CD-quality titles directly from the Web.

TI will deliver a hardware design using its popular programmable TMS320C5000 DSP (Digital signal processor), which licensees can use to build compatible new portable music devices. Liquid Audio will provide licensees with a software solution that employs critical copyright protection safeguards, including encryption, license management and advanced watermarking technology. As a result, say the two firms, manufacturers adopting the reference design will be able to develop and distribute next-generation portable audio devices beginning in the third quarter of 1999.

"Liquid Audio and Texas Instruments are developing a hardware reference design that meets the needs of both the consumer electronics and recording industries, while providing a superior online experience for music fans," says Robert Flynn, vice president of business development at Liquid Audio. "By making our collective hardware and software technology available to device companies, we are leading the way for a whole new generation of digital music products."

"This is a win-win situation for TI, Liquid Audio, portable audio product manufacturers and consumers," adds Gary Johnson, TI's Worldwide DSP Audio Manager. "This is a major step in TI's strategy to provide DSPs for emerging markets such as the music industry. We are pleased to be part of this exciting new technology development to provide the best devices to our customers, who in turn are creating some incredible new consumer products."