Parrot Launches New Premium Line of Hands-Free Bluetooth Music Kitswith iPod/iPhone Integration Now, Drive and Talk Hands-Free While Listening to your MP3s Through the Cars Sound System
SEMA SHOW BOOTH #10647, LAS VEGAS, Nov 3, 2008 - Parrot, world leader in hands-free car kits and other wireless peripherals around the mobile phone, today unveiled its new MKi line of premium hands-free Bluetooth® "music kits" with iPod/iPhone/MP3 integration that allow drivers to make and take calls hands-free while giving them the option to play their digital music files through the vehicle sound system using virtually any method they prefer: iPod/iPhone connector, USB plug for MP3s, 3.5 mm input analog jack or streaming music wirelessly via Bluetooth stereo (A2DP).
"Parrot's new MKi hands-free music system is sure to appeal to younger drivers, but will also be attractive to anyone seeking a user-friendly hands-free system that lets them listen to their own digital music files while driving," says David Wenning, senior vice president - sales and marketing. "Today, everything can be a music source - MP3s, cell phones, computers, PDAs. People want to be able to listen to their own music whenever they want and wherever they are, and the Parrot MKi system let's them move from home or office to car without interruption."
The MKi series comprises the Parrot MKi9100 and the Parrot MKi9200, both of which have plugs for an iPod, iPhone and or iTouch, along with USB and traditional analog music devices. Both of these professionally-installed car kits feature the latest phone communication technology, plus built-in 20-watt amplifier and multi-connectivity for music. And both display the cell phone contact list and playlists, which are controlled by a wireless remote. In addition, the user interface of the MKi9200 also has an SD and SD-HC compatible card slot that provides up to 32 GB of music.
Advanced Features for Added Convenience Wireless Remote: The MKi kits are all equipped with a wireless RF remote control that can be placed either on the steering wheel or dash board to give drivers the fingertip control they need in order to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. The RF remote controls both the main functions of phone system and music player. The Parrot MKi9100 displays caller I.D., the phone contact list and basic music playlist, while the larger-screen of the Parrot MKi9200 displays this information plus CD album covers and the caller's photo (if uploaded). The displays are removable as an anti-theft measure. Easy-to-use, automatic phone connection/synchronization: First-time set-up and use is a snap. Simply pair your Bluetooth cellphone with the device, and wait a few seconds while your phone book is automatically uploaded to the MKi kit.Then, to make a call, simply push the green button on the remote control to start voice recognition. The device will ask "Who do you want to call?" Say your contact's name, and without any prior "training" process, the MKi system will recognize the name you want to call. If your contact has several phones listed, the MKi will ask you to specify cellphone, business, home, etc. With the MKi's advanced user-independent voice recognition, you don't have to create "voice tags" to enjoy the convenience of true hands-free voice-control of the device. And, the voice synthesis function (text-to-speech) "speaks" your contact names and helps you easily browse your phonebook.
Once set up, the next time you enter your car, the Parrot MKi system will automatically connect your phone when you turn on the ignition. And, the MKi will also automatically synchronize your phone's contacts and phone numbers with the MKi's phonebook each time a new entry is detected. Installation and compatibility The Parrot MKi system can be easily installed in all vehicles and is designed to be compatible with virtually all Bluetooth devices and mobile phones.
Availability The Parrot MKi series will be available in U.S. retailers beginning late in the fourth quarter. It will also be available from www.parrotshopping.com. The retail price of the Parrot MKi9100 and the Parrot MKi9200 will be $249.99 and $299.99, respectively.
How is all of this ease-of-use and music functionality possible? The MKi series features an all-new proprietary Parrot software and hardware platform. New Processor: The MKi utilizes the fast Parrot's P5+ chip running at 200 MIPS which enables USB functionality, Bluetooth 2.0 EDR, etc. This also allows fast digital signal processing (DSP) for improved noise and echo cancellation and "cleaner" audio, along with "spatial effects" and virtual super bass for a fuller, richer sound - even with existing car speakers. It also allows the user to browse the phone book while listening to music without experiencing audio gaps or "breaks" in the sound. New Software: The MKi features new user-independent voice recognition software which eliminates having to create "voice tags" in order to have voice control of phone functions. In addition, new noise-reduction and echo-cancellation software featured in the MKi series and a unique external double microphone combine to eliminate unwanted exterior and in-car ambient noise, while isolating the driver's voice for clear, echo-free conversations. New Twin-Boom Mic: The MKi utilizes a unique tunable twin-boom microphone. The two mics function like human ears and allow the device to "focus" on the primary voice for superior sound identification while filtering out secondary noise.
ABOUT PARROT Founded in 1994, Parrot has rapidly established itself as a pivotal global player for wireless mobile telephone accessories. Drawing on its tried‐and‐tested expertise on voice recognition and signal processing technologies, Parrot was one of the very first companies to produce Bluetooth®‐enabled wireless hands‐free car kits, having foreseen this standard's vast potential as early as 1999. Determined to accompany the mobile telephone's irresistible breakthrough into our day‐to‐day lives, Parrot has been developing a new range of Multimedia products since 2006, including wireless hi‐fi systems and LCD photo frames. Today, Parrot truly has a major international focus, both in terms of its client base, with 86.6% of sales generated outside of France, and in terms of production, outsourced to carefully selected partners, enabling it to achieve the best possible level of quality and responsiveness. Parrot is now particularly well positioned to capitalize on the bright future opening up for mobile telephone devices. Parrot has seen sustained growth in its consolidated revenues, which have tripled since 2005. In 2007, Parrot sold over 5 million product units and generated 220 million Euros in revenues, up 32% on 2006.
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