Irish company APT (Audio Processing
Technology) has announced a new licensing deal with Wearnes Tech
Solutions (WTS) a global manufacturer of Bluetooth products including
headsets, USB adaptors and Bluetooth AV devices. WTS will license APT’s
highly acclaimed audio compression technology – enhanced apt-X – as part
of the advanced Bluetooth module solution it sells to leading
manufacturers of consumer electronics, communications and computing
equipment.
WTS provides OEMs and ODMs with an affordable and simple method of
enabling products with the latest Bluetooth technology. Its modules are
integrated into many devices such as portable car-kits, Apple iPod
accessories, headsets for mobile phones and MP3 players, and stereo
audio transmitters and receivers.
apt-X enables the delivery of stereo audio of the highest quality in
applications where bandwidth is limited. Its origins are based in the
pro-audio and broadcast sector where it is widely accepted by radio
networks, post-production studios and cinemas worldwide as the ultimate
in high quality audio coding techniques. apt-X is well suited to
wireless delivery as, aside from the high quality, it enables instant
delivery of audio. This helps avoid irritating delays and lip-sync
issues currently plaguing many wireless devices, especially prevalent in
portable video products.
Vice President, Business Development, APT Mike
Canevaro says: “The current offerings in the area of Bluetooth stereo headsets fall way
short of consumer expectations for high quality audio and there have
also been issues with delays causing lip-sync issues. With their
extensive experience in the Bluetooth arena, WTS understands the need
for improved audio quality and their superior knowledge of Bluetooth and
engineering experience made it an easy choice for APT. By combining
APT’s world-class audio codec with WTS’s award winning solutions,
consumers will now be able to make the astute choice when it comes to
better audio quality from their wireless headsets.”
WTS Director of Engineering Kok-Kia Chew says Bluetooth customers are “becoming increasingly concerned about levels of audio quality over the
Bluetooth link.” By working with APT the company believes it has addressed this concern:
“The apt-X solution provides home theatre quality, low latency
audio with a professional broadcast heritage that resonates with our OEM
customers. The future for wireless audio is bright.”