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'Timing Couldn't Be Better' for OpenPeak's Revolutionary Way To Control Home Media, Says Parks Associates (22/1/2004)

New Report by Leading Industry Analyst Says Simple Controller Solution Will Be In Demand By Manufacturers and Consumers Alike

According to a just-released report by Parks Associates, a global market research firm, OpenPeak's software for wireless control and distribution of media, and control of consumer electronics, will be a huge win with consumers who are demanding a simple, easy way to enjoy their music, videos and pictures while eliminating all of the different remotes necessary to operate all of the various consumer electronics.

Using a handheld remote running OpenPeak's Thinking Homes software, consumers can listen to music and watch pictures and videos via any UPnP playback device in the home, such as wireless speakers for music. The same remote control also provides intelligent, experience-based control of devices such as TVs, receivers and DVD players.

OpenPeak's software leverages new technologies, such as UPnP(TM) protocol and WiFi networking, to deliver enhanced usability and simplified control for users. The result is a single "front end" control - a vivid, easy-to- understand graphical interface that shows all of the media content and connected consumer electronics in the home. Using that interface, for example, the user can direct a song from a PC to a specific wireless speaker while sending pictures to the family TV and listening to Internet radio on another wireless speaker. Because the interface uses familiar commands (forward, reverse, play, stop, etc.), it is completely intuitive and immediately understandable.

From a consumer perspective, the experience begins with a proprietary, easy setup that lets the user define what devices (TVs, DVDs, etc.) should be included and what experiences should be established ("watch TV," "watch DVD," "listen to Internet radio," etc.). Once that simple setup is complete, the software handles everything else automatically. The user doesn't have to worry about cumbersome programming or tedious entering of special codes.

The Parks Associates' report, written by Vice President and Principal Analyst Michael Greeson, notes that "the most impressive feature of the OpenPeak solution is its simplicity-the average consumer can set it up and begin using it with little effort." Greeson also points to the product's acceptance among manufacturers of Consumer Electronics (CE) devices, saying "... this emphasis on simplicity, consistency and ease of use-attributes considered essential to the success of any new technology product-has brought OpenPeak widespread praise, most especially from OEMs looking to make their new digital media products more 'mass-market friendly'."

According to the Parks' report, more and more homes are becoming crowded with new consumer electronics, each with different interfaces and controllers. "OpenPeak has created a solution which satisfies the needs of both [manufacturers and consumers], and its timing couldn't be better."

In addition to its controller software, OpenPeak has developed hardware reference designs for wireless UPnP speakers and WiFi adapters for IR and serial devices. The adapters enable easy integration of legacy devices, such as TVs, into a home's WiFi network, and further simplify the user experience.

"We are pleased to be recognized by Parks Associates for the innovative ease-of-use and simplicity we design into every aspect of our solutions," said Andrew Lona, Chief Marketing Officer of OpenPeak. "Our mission remains to deliver software solutions to our OEM partners that make control and management of digital media, consumer electronics and home systems as easy as possible for consumers."

www.openpeak.com