Philips and Ericsson in Bluetooth AV pact

Edited by the Electronicstalk editorial team Jun 14, 2002

Philips and Ericsson are to work together to speed the delivery of new Bluetooth products in the audio/video domain.

Philips and Ericsson are to work together to speed the delivery of new Bluetooth products in the audio/video domain.

The co-operation will see the companies pool their expertise in Bluetooth (Ericsson) and audio/video (Philips), to create Bluetooth audio/video solutions that will drive the Bluetooth market forward with a range of advanced applications.

A dedicated team incorporating research, design and engineering capabilities from both Ericsson and Philips will exchange information, streamline creation processes and align product roadmaps.

The first joint development area will focus on Bluetooth for audio/video applications to enable the wire-free streaming of music and film in the home and in the car.

Customers of both companies will benefit from this alliance.

As the Bluetooth audio/video solutions from this co-operation come to market, Ericsson will realise its capital from licensing enhanced Bluetooth intellectual property solutions to its customers.

Philips will obtain its business benefits with improved silicon solutions and shorter time to market on the best-in-class components used in Bluetooth products for audio/video and other applications.

"Our strategy is clear.

We want to reach the mass market with our Bluetooth solution and working closely with Philips on Bluetooth for audio/video is a great opportunity to reach this goal", said Maria Khorsand, president at Ericsson Technology Licensing.

"We look forward to strengthening our relationship with Ericsson - the inventor of Bluetooth - to drive the market forward", said Mario Rivas, executive vice president communications businesses at Philips Semiconductors.

"We are defining a common roadmap for this project that encapsulates our common strategic aims and expertise to speed Bluetooth innovation and add value to our respective businesses".

This latest Ericsson and Philips collaboration, which will enhance the market position of both companies, is an extension of the existing alliance forged in 1999.