Page 7 - DECT Today - October 2015

DECT NEWS
DECT News continued
Advanced Bionics enhances its phones for the hard-of- hearing
Advanced Bionics, a specialist in advanced cochlear implant systems, announced today the future compatibility and availability of its Phonak EasyCall and DECT Phone solutions for use with the Naída CI Q70 sound processor.
The EasyCall and DECT Phone accessories are designed to significantly improve speech understanding when talking on the phone, without any intermediary device required. Compatibility of these accessories with the Naída CI sound processor will be enabled with the next release of SoundWave, Advanced Bionics’ signature fitting software.
“With the addition of the EasyCall and DECT Phone accessories, AB recipients can now enjoy improved understanding on the phone without the need for intermediary devices,” said Hansjuerg Emch, President of Advanced Bionics and Group Vice President of the Sonova Medical Division, within which AB now sits.
The Phonak EasyCall accessory is designed to provide universal, discreet, and hassle-free communication with any Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. Features include:
• Attaches directly to the phone
• Streams directly to both ears for best sound
quality and speech intelligibility
• Supports all brands of mobile phones, including
iPhone and Samsung
• No intermediary device needed
The Phonak DECT Phone provides an easy-to-use phone option at home or at work. It allows users to:
• Make calls on the landline phone
• Transmit sound directly to one or both ears to
reduce noise and maximise speech understanding – hearing aid users experience 40% better speech understanding
• One solution for the whole family – family members without hearing loss can use the DECT Phone just like a regular phone
• No intermediary device required
Together, AB and Phonak claim the broadest and most proven portfolio of wireless solutions for cochlear implant recipients. These accessories are designed to help CI recipients perform better in challenging listening situations, especially over distance and in extreme noise. They also give AB recipients unparalleled access to today’s popular media, as well as greater comfort and sound clarity during everyday activities, such as talking on the phone or online, watching television and listening to music.
“We live in a wireless world where people expect to be able to easily connect to any device they choose,” said Mark Downing, Director of Product Management and Surgical Support at Advanced Bionics. “With the AB and Phonak wireless accessories, our recipients can talk on the phone, stream songs, watch TV shows, hear voices clearly in loud settings and over distance—all with just the touch of a button.”
Gigaset to focus on high-end products and growth markets
Gigaset recently announced that the company will expand its portfolio to focus on highlight growth markets: smart home solutions and mobile devices. Most notably, Gigaset will launch a new smartphone to the market, expected in late 2015. The company said that its brand’s elegant and timeless design combined with German engineering will be integral to the development of the new device.
Background
The company said that the successful strategic realignment of its brand that was finalised in 2015
has transformed it from a pure hardware vendor into a fully integrated digital company that offers a cloud- based ecosystem with a full range of services and devices. Building on the expertise of more than 160 years in the communications industry, the new business segment of mobile devices alongside existing business lines of consumer products, home networks and services, and business customers are key to the future growth and profitability of the company.
Charles Fränkl, Gigaset CEO, speaking at a partners’ event at Royal Ascot said: “This is an exciting time for Gigaset as we welcome a new future in smart product technologies as a fully integrated digital company. Our new mobile devices including smartphones will continue to exemplify our passion for quality and style. Market leading products alongside our proud new partnership with the prestigious Ascot Racecourse will further raise awareness for Gigaset as well as bring our message of ‘Wherever you go’ to life.”
Gigaset said that it “boasts a long history in engineering telecommunications solutions, manufacturing devices and consumer electronics. Tradition will be blended with modernity as the company moves forward into a bright new era in the development of smart product technologies.”
Other news
As referenced by Charles Fränkl above, Gigaset announced in May that it was an official partner of Ascot and Royal Ascot in a five-year deal from 2015 until the end of 2019. The company said: “Aligned in a common passion for heritage and for preserving the highest core values whilst never standing still, the technology brand and elite horse racing venue are both forward-thinking leaders steeped in a rich history of excellence within their respective fields. At the same time, the partnership opens new opportunities for Ascot, with Gigaset being the first partner from the consumer electronics industry.”
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