Press Release
QSound Labs Introduces microQ Mobile Audio Engine
Optimized for Intel'R' PXA27x Processors with Intel'R'
Wireless MMX'TM' Technology
Multi-format Polyphonic MIDI Synthesis, 3D Audio for Headsets or Narrow Geometry Speakers, and Audio Enhancement Algorithms running on Intel PXA27x Processors.
Calgary, Alberta - April 13, 2004 -- QSound Labs,
Inc. (NASDAQ: QSND), a leading developer of audio and voice over IP software
solutions, today announced it's microQ audio engine for mobile phones
and PDAs supports Intel(R) Wireless MMX(TM) technology for mobile devices
based on the newly launched Intel(R) PXA27x processor family.
Intel Wireless MMX technology allows QSound's advanced audio processing
algorithms to be supported using far fewer processor resources than before.
The Intel Wireless MMX instruction set improves the performance of audio
filtering and mixing functions by 2 to 3 times. Processor cycles previously
consumed for audio processing are now available to other applications
and functions on the device. This eliminates the need for specialized
co-processors, reducing the cost of components and increasing the battery
life of mobile devices based on the Intel PXA27x processor.
"We are pleased that QSound is one of the first companies to support
Intel(R) Wireless MMX(TM) technology, said Gary Forni, Director of Independent
Software Vendor Enabling for Intel's Cellular and Handheld Group. "Multimedia
applications can be very demanding and with the smaller screens available
on most mobile devices today, high quality audio can have a dramatic impact
on the end users overall experience."
"A leader in 3D audio solutions since 1988, QSound was quick to adopt Intel MMX technology on desktop computers, and now we are extending that experience and know how to Intel Wireless MMX technology platforms," stated David Gallagher, president and CEO of QSound Labs. "Customers of the Intel(R) PXA27x processor family can take immediate advantage of QSound's feature rich microQ audio engine to offer their users superior features at lower cost and with greater convenience."
About microQ:
QSound's core technology, microQ, is a compact, hardware-independent and
highly efficient software audio engine providing functions such as polyphonic
ringtones, video game sounds, music playback, digital effects, audio restoration
algorithms, and recording for portable applications. It is ideally suited
for Internet appliances, hand-held and mobile devices. A low-cost and
flexible option for consumer electronics and mobile device manufacturers,
microQ is inherently modular, scalable and portable. Its core components
include a digital audio playback engine, a wavetable synthesis engine
with a scalable sample set, and a multi-channel stereo mixer. Additionally,
microQ offers a wide range of processes to control frequency response,
dynamics and spatial enhancements, as well as full 3D positional audio.
About QSound Labs, Inc.:
Since its inception in 1988, QSound Labs, Inc. has established itself
as one of the world's leading audio technology companies. The company
has developed proprietary audio solutions that include virtual surround
sound, positional audio and stereo enhancement for the consumer electronics,
PC/multimedia, Internet and healthcare markets. QSound Labs' cutting-edge
audio technologies create rich 3D audio environments allowing consumers
to enjoy stereo surround sound from two, four or 5.1 speaker systems,
as well as portable headphones. The company's customer and partner roster
includes Toshiba, Philips, Sanyo, Sharp, Aiwa, and MiTAC, among others.
To hear 3D audio demos and learn more about QSound, visit our web site
at http://www.qsound.com.
This release contains forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Act
of 1995 concerning, among other things, introduction of the availability
new microQ-enabled products that support Intel Wireless MMX technology.
Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risk
and uncertainties, which could cause actual results, performance or achievements
of QSound, or industry results to differ materially from those reflected
in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include,
but are not limited to, risks associated with acceptance of microQ technology
by manufacturers and consumers, continued growth of the mobile electronics
market, dependence on intellectual property, rapid technological change,
competition, general economic and business conditions, and other risks
detailed from time to time in QSound's periodic reports filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements are based
on the current expectations, projections and opinions of QSound's management,
and QSound undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of
any revisions to such forward-looking statements which may be made, for
example to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.