CSR Fuses Fashion and Function with Launch of Bluetooth® Smart Jewelry

SAN JOSE, Calif. & CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

CSR plc CSR CSRE has developed a range of connected jewelry, powered by its latest Bluetooth® Smart solution, to demonstrate the future of wearable technology. The pendant-style connected necklaces contain integrated electronics that enable the user to customize the color and brightness emitted to suit their mood or to coordinate with a particular outfit. The electronics integrated into the jewelry have been designed to support a range of functions and so they can also alert users to new notifications on their smartphones, an application that would be suited to a connected bracelet.

CSR recently surveyed consumers on their views on wearable technology and found that 72% agree that it's important that wearable technology devices look good and 67% admit that it's important that they fit with their personal style.

“Many of the wearable technology devices hitting the shelves today offer great features but don't take into consideration that consumers want beautiful, cutting-edge devices that complement their personal style,” says Paul Williamson, Director of Low Power Wireless at CSR. “If wearable technology is to reach its potential it needs to appeal to more than just technology lovers. Devices like these connected pendants will help wearable tech go mass market.”

The jewelry, which was designed in conjunction with boutique jeweler Cellini, combines top-quality design with connectivity powered by CSR's innovative Bluetooth Smart solution – the CSR1012™. The platform, part of the proven CSR µEnergy® range, is engineered specifically for the wearable technology market. It allows the jewelry to connect to smartphones using a fraction of the power of standard Bluetooth by connecting directly to a small lithium battery. It's also designed to enable a small form factor, making it ideal for wearable accessories.

Those wearing the jewelry can be alerted to any new notifications from their iPhone. This is because the CSR microprocessor within the necklaces supports the Apple Notification Center Service (ANCS), a new feature released in iOS 7 which allows peripheral devices to access all notifications generated on an iOS device over a Bluetooth connection. CSR will also be demonstrating Android applications that enable the user to set the color and patterns of the jewelry.

“Although these prototypes have been designed to alert users to notifications on their smartphones they could be used for many other things,” concludes Williamson. “Developers could use the same printed circuit board (PCB) to design more aesthetically pleasing activity monitors. They could even integrate scent capsules to allow users to release a spray of their favorite fragrance at certain times of day. We wanted to give our customers a glimpse of what they could do with this technology. The possibilities for truly wearable technology devices are endless and we're looking forward to seeing what they develop with it in the future.”

Notes to editors

• Research results are taken from an online survey of 1076 GB consumers in December 2013
• A video about the development of the jewelry can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3D3q5MCZUs
• Images of the jewelry can be downloaded here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ysnksojuho7ioc5/smVwgQwtFw
• More information on the features of the CSR1012 can be found here: http://www.csr.com/products/csr101x-product-family

About CSR

CSR is a global provider of innovative silicon and software solutions for the location-aware, media-rich, cloud-connected world. Our platforms are optimized for the automotive navigation and infotainment, digital cameras and imaging, connected home infotainment and wireless audio markets. We provide solutions to complex problems in the audio-visual, connectivity and location technology domains across a broad range of markets, with a technology portfolio that includes GPS/GNSS systems, Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi®, FM, NFC, aptX® and CVC™ audio codecs, JPEG, MPEG, H.264 imaging, PDL printing, microcontrollers, DSPs and broadband receivers. CSR's technology solutions and market platforms enable its customers to deliver a superior user experience and are adopted by leaders in the auto, computer, home and mobile markets. More information can be found at www.csr.com. Keep up to date with CSR on our technical blog or CSR people blog, YouTube, Facebook or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CSR_plc.

CAUTIONARY NOTE ON 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 Bluetooth® Smart platforms, and their performance characteristics in consumer electronic products, and other future events and their potential effects on CSR. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as ‘will,' ‘can deliver,' ‘offers', 'allows', 'to enhance,' ‘enables,' 'designed to' and other similar expressions regarding the performance characteristics of CSR's Bluetooth® Smart platforms, and their performance characteristics in consumer electronics products, and their potential effects on CSR. Any future release of CSR's Bluetooth® Smart platforms or consumer electronics products containing such technology, related products or modifications to such products' capability, functionality or features are subject to ongoing evaluation by CSR and its customers, and may or may not be implemented and should not be considered firm commitments by CSR or its customers 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.

Bluetooth® and the Bluetooth logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and licensed to CSR.

Wi-Fi®, Wi-Fi Alliance®, WMM®, Wi-Fi Protected Access®, WPA®, WPA2®, Wi-Fi Protected Setup™ and Wi-Fi Multimedia™ are trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Other products, services and names used in this document may have been trademarked by their respective owners.