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Press Release: Bluegiga targets high‐end Bluetooth Stereo markets with apt‐X® audio codec

CTIAWireless I.T. & Entertainment 2008 Exhibition, CA, September 9 2008– APT (Belfast, N. Ireland), the audio processing technologyspecialist, today announces further industry endorsement of itslow‐latency apt‐X® audio codec technology for high quality stereo overBluetooth wireless applications with news of a licensing partneragreement with Bluegiga Technologies Ltd. ( Espoo , Finland ), theworld's leading provider of Bluetooth OEM modules. Bluegiga will offerthe apt‐X audio codec technology developed by APT to maximize thestreaming stereo performance of the Bluegiga WT32 Bluetooth AudioModule across a range of OEM applications, including high‐end BluetoothA2DP stereo headsets, wireless speaker systems and iPod speaker‐dockwireless adapters, and the latest Bluetooth enabled portable mediaplayers and music phones.

Commenting at CTIA WirelessI.T. & Entertainment on the downstream benefits of the apt‐Xfeatured WT32 module to the end‐customer, Tom Nordman , Bluegiga’s VicePresident of Sales and Marketing said, “Bluegiga's audio modules aredesigned to ensure that OEM customers enter their markets on time andin budget with superior products with value‐add features. Now, with thehigher quality audio afforded by the apt‐X codec, our WT32 BluetoothAudio Module can stream the best possible Bluetooth A2DP stereo audioexperience – the famous apt‐X codec is a key differentiator giventoday’s raised expectations for high‐definition sound.”

Launchedlast year at Embedded Systems Conference in Boston , the Bluegiga WT32module is the latest generation plug‐and‐play Bluetooth 2.1 + EDRcompliant embedded systems solution that combines with Bluegiga iWRAPfirmware flexibility to facilitate wireless, secure and standard‐basedBluetooth wireless connectivity. The WT32 addresses new and existingembedded systems applications with minimal development andmanufacturing effort. Potential applications for the WT32 includeBluetooth enabled hands‐free headset kits for drivers andmotorcyclists, and two‐way radio handsets for push‐to‐talk overcellular (PoC).

"Bluegiga clearly recognizes thephenomenal pent‐up market demand for outstanding audio quality overBluetooth A2DP,” said Stephen Wray, VP Licensing, APT. “The option togo with apt‐X audio codec technology is exactly what Bluetoothintegrators have been waiting for. Listening demonstrations confirmthat Bluetooth stereo with apt‐X realizes the theoretical maximum sonicperformance of Advanced Audio Distribution Profile, whereas Bluetoothwith entry‐level Sub‐band Codec technology struggles to impress. Apt‐Xis now available for Bluegiga’s OEM modules, wireless stereo andstreaming audio designers can move quickly to offer the full advantagesof Bluetooth.”

APT recently won a prestigious Queen’sAward for Enterprise , the second such award in the company’s history.Bluegiga was ranked as the second fastest growing Finnish technologycompany by Deloitte’s Technology Fast 50 competition in 2007.

Demonstrationsof Bluegiga’s WT32 Bluetooth Audio Module featuring APT’s apt‐X audiocodec will be held during CTIA Wireless IT & Entertainment 2008 inSan Francisco , September 10‐12.

About Bluegiga Technologies Ltd.
BluegigaTechnologies is the world's leading provider of Bluetooth‐based AccessSolutions and Bluetooth OEM modules. The company was founded in 2000 inFinland and has a sales office in Boston , MA , USA . Bluegiga has anextensive network of qualified distributors and value‐added resellersin more than 50 countries. Bluegiga is the innovator ofBluetoothmulti‐radio access server products and its OEM module offeringhas seamless co‐existence with other wired and wireless technologies;BluRoam, the unique roaming technology for Bluetooth devices and iWRAP,the easy‐to‐use Bluetooth control interface. Bluegiga and its expertisein the Bluetooth technology, has been a contributing member of theBluetooth Special Interest Group since the company was founded. Foradditional information, please visit www.bluegiga.com

About APT
Formedin 1989, APT provides industry‐leading audio processing technologysolutions to the broadcast industry and to consumer electronicsmanufacturers. The company’s apt‐X audio codec technology has earned areputation throughout the audio industry as the ultimate high‐quality,low‐delay audio data compression technique available. APT has twobusiness divisions: Broadcast (audio codec equipment) and Licensing(technology licensing). APT hardware is sold to radio broadcasters,telecoms operators and professional recording studios; apt‐X technologyis licensed for use in high‐quality audio devices, including portablemultimedia players and music phones, Bluetooth stereo headsets, andwireless microphones. Headquartered in Belfast , Northern Ireland , APThas direct sales offices in Japan , Germany and the USA . APT alsomaintains a network of specialist distribution partners in over 30countries throughout Europe, North America and Asia .
More at http://www.aptx.com

About Bluetooth wireless technology

Bluetoothwireless technology is the global short‐range of wireless standards forpersonal connectivity from a wide range of electronic devices. Thetechnology is now available in its fourth version of the corespecification and continues to develop, building on its inherentstrengths:‐a small‐form factor radio, low power, low cost, built‐insecurity, strength, accessibility, and ad hoc networking abilities.There were more than one billion installed Bluetooth devices at the endof 2006, making it the only well‐known choice for developers, productmanufacturers, and consumers worldwide.

The Bluetooth word, mark, and logo are registered trademarks and are owned by The Bluetooth SIG, Inc.

Contact:
Stephen Wray | Vice President, Licensing
APT Ltd.
Tel: +44 28 90 677 200
E‐mail: [email protected]

Tom Nordman | Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Bluegiga Technologies Ltd.
Tel. +358 9 435 5060
E‐mail: [email protected]

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