CSR licenses aptX audio codec for Bluetooth to Nokia

Handset giant to bring high-fidelity wireless stereo to Bluetooth audio accessories

CAMBRIDGE, UK and SAN JOSE, USA - CSR plc (LSE: CSR) today announced it has signed a multi-year licensing agreement with Nokia Corporation (NYSE: NOK) to enable the handset giant to incorporate CSR aptX™ audio compression technology for Bluetooth into a new generation of highly stylised Nokia consumer electronics products featuring high-fidelity wireless audio capabilities. Using CSR aptX technology and associated CSR Bluetooth audio chips, Nokia expects to introduce a range of exciting new Bluetooth audio accessories in the fourth quarter of this year that will offer a level of stereo audio quality to match their fashionable good looks.

“By incorporating CSR aptX technology into our audio products, we are enabling the audio experience to be nothing less than inspirational,” said Hans Henrik Lund, Global Head for Nokia Accessories at Nokia. “CSR is solving the Bluetooth audio dilemma with solutions that allow us to take audio accessories in a new direction and we are excited by the potential of our partnership.”

Although standard Bluetooth technology offers the ability to stream stereo audio wirelessly from handsets and other audio devices to headphones and speakers, the bandwidth-constrained audio does not come close to what consumers have come to expect from their electronic entertainment systems. CSR aptX audio coding technology solves this problem, breaking the bandwidth barrier to deliver CD-quality stereo audio wirelessly over Bluetooth connections for a variety of consumer electronics applications.

“We welcome Nokia to the growing family of tier one aptX technology adopters who have recognised the exciting possibilities our Bluetooth audio solutions offer to deliver CD-quality stereo audio wirelessly and provide consumers with the most compelling audio experience,” said Anthony Murray, Senior Vice President of CSR’s Audio and Consumer Business Unit. “Because of its rapid adoption by Nokia and others, aptX technology has already established itself as the benchmark for wireless stereo audio quality for consumer electronics products, and will continue to find new applications as consumers demand the best from their handsets and other mobile devices.”

CSR Bluetooth devices are at the heart of many of the world’s most popular consumer electronics products, and are available in a number of highly integrated solutions featuring Bluetooth v4.0 and low energy support, wideband speech, aptX high-fidelity audio, CVC noise cancellation and other technologies for a variety of multimedia applications.

About CSR

CSR is a leading global provider of personal wireless technology, including Bluetooth, GPS, FM and Wi-Fi, to industry leaders in consumer electronics, mobile handsets and the automotive industry. Its technology has been adopted by market leaders into a wide range of mobile consumer devices such as mobile phones, automobile navigation and telematics systems, portable navigation devices (PNDs), wireless headsets, mobile computers, mobile internet devices, GPS recreational devices, digital cameras and mobile gaming, plus a wide range of personal and commercial tracking applications. CSR is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and has offices in Europe, Asia and North America. More information can be found at www.csr.com. Keep up to date with CSR on our blog, or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CSR_plc
Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements (including statements concerning plans and objectives of management for future operations or performance, or assumptions related thereto) that are not historical facts and constitute ‘forward looking statements’ within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 in relation to CSR’s multi-year licensing agreement with Nokia Corporation for CSR aptX™ Bluetooth audio compression technology, and their performance characteristics in Nokia consumer electronics products, and other future events and their potential effects on CSR. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as ’enable,’ ’expects,’ ‘to be’, ‘ensure,’ ’is solving,’ ‘will continue to,’ and other similar expressions regarding the performance characteristics of aptX™ Bluetooth audio compression technology, and their performance characteristics in Nokia consumer electronics products, and their potential effects on CSR. Any future release of aptX™ Bluetooth audio compression technology or Nokia consumer electronics products containing CSR’s technology, or related products or modifications to such products’ capability, functionality or features are subject to ongoing evaluation by CSR and Nokia, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by CSR or Nokia and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. Such forward-looking statements represent the current expectations and beliefs of management of CSR, and are based upon numerous assumptions regarding CSR’s business strategies and the environment in which CSR will operate and therefore involve a number of known and unknown risks, contingencies, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of CSR, including, but not limited to, those detailed from time to time in CSR’s periodic reports (whether under the caption Risk Factors or Forward Looking Statements or elsewhere), which are available at the SEC’s web site http://www.sec.gov. Each forward looking statement speaks only as of the date hereof. CSR does not undertake to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein, otherwise than required by law.