STMicroelectronics and Arkamys to Bring Professional Quality 3D
Audio Capabilities to Portable Audio and Video Products
Combination of ST's Nomadik application processor and Arkamys' 'Immerse U' audio embedded software enables portable terminals to envelop users in sound.
Geneva, February 13, 2007 - STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM) – whose award-winning* Nomadik™ multimedia application processors are used in 2.5G/3G mobile phones, and in other portable and automotive products with multimedia capabilities – today announced a license agreement with audio technology company Arkamys to implement its ‘Immerse U’ audio algorithms on the Nomadik™ application processor platform. This technology makes it possible for users to enjoy natural and realistic surround sound from just two stereo headphones or speakers, bringing professional quality audio to consumer electronics applications.
Supported initially on the Nomadik STn8815 multimedia processor, ‘Immerse U’ is a highly sophisticated audio spatialization process that transforms games, TV, movies and music into thrilling surround-sound experiences, making it ideal for personal and portable audio/video devices such as mobile phones, music and DVD players, and wireless headsets. In addition, the technology includes a complete set of audio algorithms, including 3D Positioning,
Reverberation and Doppler Effects for gaming systems. In addition to providing a more
pleasurable and realistic sound experience, ‘Immerse U,’ running on a Nomadik STn8815, generates a spacious and natural acoustic environment that decreases the ‘listener fatigue’ phenomenon familiar to headphone users.
Arkamys developed their mobile device audio technologies using ST’s Nomadik integration and development environment – a set of development tools designed to enable third parties to port audio effects to the Nomadik platform – in advance of the formal collaboration between the two companies. This development environment will be extended in the future to also allow porting of audio codecs.
With its background in music and cinema postproduction, and in broadcast quality audio, Arkamys has developed ‘Immerse U’ through several years of research and development by a multidisciplinary team which includes audio DSP software engineers, acousticians and professional sound mixers. Technology from the pro-audio world is fed through into the supporting Sound Adjustment Tool (SAT) – the company’s productivity software for handset customization, which allows fine tuning of audio effects for individual products in real time, avoiding the need for tedious scripts, and minimizing development time. For example, Arkamys’ SAT is a key tool when tuning the Multiband Dynamic Range Control (MDRC) process to enhance the dynamic and spectral rendering of a device.
“‘Immerse U’ is an exciting addition to the Nomadik platform’s multimedia capabilities, enabling ST to offer a best-of-breed audio solution to high-end handset manufacturers,” said Patrice Meilland, Marketing Director, Application Processor Division, STMicroelectronics.
“Optimizing the Arkamys audio algorithms on Nomadik delivers the best balance between sound quality and available mobile computing power.”
“With this collaboration, ST and Arkamys will be in a very strong position to respond to the demanding industry requirements within the Mobile TV and Gaming markets by providing highly optimized audio software solutions through Nomadik,” said Philippe Tour, President and Chief Executive Officer of Arkamys.
Nomadik application processors are designed specifically for mobile devices, using an onchip multi-processor distributed architecture to deliver unsurpassed audio, video and imaging quality, with ultra-low power consumption for longer battery life. Simplified software development leads to shorter time-to-market for products such as smart phones, multimedia feature phones, personal digital assistants (PDA), Internet appliances and car entertainment systems, with scalability to cater for multiple market segments and future multimedia applications.
‘Immerse U’ builds on a fundamental understanding of the effects on the brain of the subtle differences in time, level and frequency response in the sound arriving at each ear, and of how these differences can be used to create three dimensional and ‘out-of-thehead’listening experiences. For music and mobile TV, ‘Immerse U’ Stereo Enhancer and Surround Sound create new listening emotions, for any stereo or multi-channel source.
About Arkamys
Arkamys develops and provides digital audio solutions for professional entertainment companies, digital content development companies and for the consumer electronics industry.
Innovative software solutions are available for postproduction, broadcast and public address. The two major offerings from Arkamys, “Immerse U” for mobile terminals and “Sound Staging” for automotive, provide a high quality and cost-effective audio solution for Consumer Electronics manufacturers. More information at www.arkamys.com/immerse.
About STMicroelectronics
STMicroelectronics is a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications. An unrivalled combination of silicon and system expertise, manufacturing strength, Intellectual Property (IP) portfolio and strategic partners positions the Company at the forefront of System-on-Chip (SoC) technology and its products play a key role in enabling today's convergence markets. The Company's shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, on Euronext Paris and on the Milan Stock Exchange. In 2006, the Company's net revenues were $9.85 billion and net earnings were
$782 million. Further information on ST can be found at www.st.com.
Information last updated Jan 2007 * The STn8800 Nomadik multimedia platform received Microprocessor Report’s 2004 Best Application Processor of the Year Award. Nomadik is a trademark of STMicroelectronics. All other mentioned trademarks are the respective property of their owners.
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SAGEM's My700x Improves Sound Presence with ARKAMYS' Technologies
Paris, France - June 13, 2006 – ARKAMYS a leading provider in audio software solutions for mobile market, announces a licensing agreement with SAGEM communication, for key ImmerseU™ audio software components, including 3D sound and graphic equalizer to improve audio quality restitution with headphones. ARKAMYS technologies have been incorporated into SAGEM My700x mobile phone, a multimedia oriented product, which integrates MP3 player advanced features. The product was launched in Europe early this month.
The SAGEM My700x, is an EDGE and GPRS mobile phone which is the perfect companion for audio entertainment. Its advanced music player functions (MP3, Radio FM) and high capacity to quickly download music files make it ideal for enjoying the best
music and sounds experience. "We believe that ARKAMYS technologies integration in the My700x will amaze you, whether you are telephoning or listening to music in 3D" claims with enthusiasm Mr Yves Portalier, product marketing and communication officer for Handset Division, Sagem Communication.
About ARKAMYS
Recognized leader in audio and voice technologies spatialization, Arkamys provides digital audio solutions for professional entertainment, digital content companies and for the consumer electronics industry (mobile phones, MP3 players, car audio, home theaters...). For more information, please visit our Web site: www.arkamys.com.
About ImmerseU
ImmerseU™ is a complete audio software solution for improving audio quality in mobile devices. This hardware-independent and highly efficient audio solution provides sound spatialization to play music and video sounds, ring tones, game sounds and digital effects through stereo headphones and dual speakers
handsets. For more information please visit our Web site: www.arkamys.com/immerse.
About Sagem Communication
Sagem Communication (SAFRAN Group) is a major player in the Mobile and Broadband Communication industries, who has acquired a strong world-wide position thanks to renewed innovation. SAGEM products stand-out particularly in the following activities: mobile phones, printing terminals, residential terminals, digital TV, networks and electronic metering, etc. For more information, please visit our Web sites: www.sagem.com and www.safran-group.com.
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Air France premieres the sound of the future
Paris, France – February 1st, 2006 – Since February 1, passengers aboard long-haul flights will have the latest headphone technology to fully enjoy the many music channels offered by the in-flight entertainment program: classical, popular French songs, jazz, children's songs, international pop, world music and more.
Developed by Arkamys®, a company specialized in digital audio solutions, this system creates a real sensation of surround sound. This innovation provides more realism and depth, enhancing the audio experience for lovers of all kind of music, from opera to rock. Air France is the first airline in the world to offer its passenger this cutting-edge technology that will soon be available to the general public.
About ARKAMYS
Recognized leader in audio and voice technologies spatialization, Arkamys provides digital audio solutions for
professional entertainment, digital content companies and for the consumer electronics industry (mobile
phones, MP3 players, car audio, home theaters...). For more information, please visit our Web site: www.arkamys.com.
About Air France
Air France-KLM is the largest airline company in the world in terms of operating revenues, and the third-largest
in the world (largest in Europe) in terms of passengers-kilometers. Air France-KLM is part of the SkyTeam
Alliance. Find out more on Air France website: www.airfrance.com
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