Kleer's Certification Program Hints at Our Wireless Headphone Future

We've just about had it with Bluetooth when it comes to wireless headphones. It turns out that the standard that's great for transferring files and talking through an earpiece uses too much power to be truly useful in wireless portable headphones, given today's battery technology (either the batteries are too heavy or the battery life is too short).

The most promising answer to the dilemma we've seen yet is Kleer's wireless headphones. The first product to use them, RCA's Jet Stream, could appeal to some joggers. But audiophiles who want to ditch their headphone wires will want to wait for one of the higher-end Kleer implementations almost certain to be revealed next year.

So that consumers know which wireless headphones and media players workwith the Kleer standard, the company launched an InteroperabilityCertification Program that requires manufacturers in order to "pass aset of tests in order to claim compliance to the Kleer protocol and receivepermission to use the Kleer logo on their product packaging."

According to Kleer, any headphones, players, or other devices that workwith their digital RF standard will work perfectly with each other. Ifall goes as plans, this means that when the time comes for you to plunkdown $400 for some top-of-the-line wireless earbuds, you can do so safein the knowledge that you'll be able to use them with a range of MP3
players.

Kleer says it will demonstrate "interoperability and sound quality"
between a number of products at the Consumer Electronics Show in LasVegas this January.

The press release doesn't mention Apple, although it nonetheless contains a mysterious warning: "Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS,
Macintosh, iPod and iTunes are trademarks of Apple. All other trademarks,
registered trademarks, products and/or services mentioned herein are theproperty of their respective owners."

Could iPod compatibility be in the works for Kleer? Here's the full press release:

Kleer
Announces Wireless Audio Interoperability Certification Program

TestProcedure Guarantees Multi-Product, Multi-Vendor Interoperability

Cupertino__, CA____, December 10, 2007__ – Kleer (www.kleer.com) todayannounced an interoperability certification program to test consumer productcompliance to the Kleer wireless audio protocol. A number of leadingbrand-name consumer electronics manufacturers have endorsed the Kleer ultralow-power wireless audio protocol and will be introducing a broad cross-sectionof products, including MP3 players, wireless earbuds and wireless speakers, atCES 2008 and throughout the coming year. Manufacturers will need to passa set of tests in order to claim compliance to the Kleer protocol and receivepermission to use the Kleer logo on their product packaging. Fullcompliance to the Kleer audio protocol guarantees that wireless earbuds andspeakers from any manufacturer will interoperate with portable audio playersfrom any other manufacturer.

“Kleer envisions an entire eco-system of wirelessaudio products complying with the Kleer protocol,” says Ron Glibbery, VP
of Marketing for Kleer. “This certification program providesassurance to consumers that a Kleer logo on a product’s packaging meansthat the product they purchase will interoperate with their otherpreviously-purchased Kleer-based products.”

The main elements of the interoperability certificationprogram include a test suite, a compliance report and a participation in aquarterly plugfest. Initially, the test procedure will be conducted bythe manufacturers themselves, with longer term plans to move to an accredited3rd party test facility. Manufacturers earn the right to add the Kleer
interoperability logo upon successful completion of the interoperabilityprocedure.

Sound quality and interoperability between market-ready productswill be demonstrated during CES 2008 at the Kleer press conference being heldon January 7, 2007 at the Venetian, Casanova 501/601 at 10:00 a.m.__ __

More About the Kleer Audio LP Line of RF
Wireless Modules

Kleer’s Audio LP line of RF wireless modules is theindustry’s first such offering to combine high quality audio and robustISM band coexistence with low power consumption to address the full range ofaudio market segments. Unlike Bluetooth, Kleer’s patentedsub-sampling radio architecture was designed from the ground up to communicatelossless CD-quality digital stereo audio over a robust 2.4GHz radio link, whileachieving 10 times the battery life of a comparable Bluetooth solution.
The first product in the Kleer Audio LP line is the KLR3012 module thatintegrates Kleer’s mixed signal RFIC with RF passives such that little RF
design expertise is required to implement a product. Kleer’sembedded software also offers complete and configurable functionality enablingthe implementation of products with little or no software development.

About Kleer Corp.

Founded in 2002, Kleer is a fabless semiconductor companythat has developed the first wireless audio technology to combine high qualityaudio and robust ISM band coexistence with low power consumption to addressportable, home and automotive audio markets. Kleer’s Audio LP
technology is ideally suited for OEMs of portable audio players, iPod® andother player accessories, home audio/theater systems, earphones, headphones,
and speakers. Kleer distributes its products via direct sales in NorthAmerica, and a distribution channel in Koreaand Japan.
The Company is headquartered in Cupertino, California with product development facilities in Ottawa, Ontario.
For more information, contact...

• *Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS,
  Macintosh, iPod and iTunes are trademarks of Apple. All other trademarks,
  registered trademarks, products and/or services mentioned herein are theproperty of their respective owners.*