CBS to use Bluetooth wireless to market new shows
CBS plans to use Bluetooth wireless technology coupled with billboard posters to market new TV shows in its fall lineup on mobile handsets.
Starting in September, people will be able to download short video clips of five CBS prime-time shows onto their cell phones or PDAs (personal digital assistants) from billboards in New York City's Grand Central Station, according to a Wall Street Journal article published Thursday.
Because Bluetooth is a short-range wireless technology, users must stand within 36 feet of the billboard to access the video clips with their Bluetooth-enabled devices. The video clips are free. They are delivered over the wireless connection directly to the Bluetooth-enabled device without the need to use the mobile Internet, so consumers won't be charged by their carrier for data usage.
The five shows to be featured on the billboards are "Shark," "Smith," "Jericho," "The Class" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation."
As more and more TV viewers use digital video recorders to skip through TV advertising, brands such as CBS are getting more creative about how they market their products. CBS has already announced plans to promote its new fall TV shows by stamping logos on eggs.
Billboards and neon lights have been a staple of outdoor advertising for years. Now Bluetooth technology can be used as an extension of those traditional mediums to give consumers a taste of the multimedia experience. The technology is already being used all over Europe to allow people to download movie clips and pictures.

Broadcom Launches Next Generation of Server I/O Controllers Featuring a Modular Architecture for Platform Scalability
New HT-2100 Server I/O Platform Solution Now Available in Next-Generation AMD Opteron™ Processor-based Servers From World's Leading Server OEMs
IRVINE, Calif., Aug 15, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today introduced its second generation of server I/O controller silicon based on HyperTransport® technology. The new Broadcom® controller features a modular architecture for platform scalability, enabling server OEM customers to optimally configure their servers for specific market segments while achieving better energy efficiencies, lower system costs and faster time-to-market. Broadcom's modular approach to server chipset architecture provides server OEMs with the freedom to choose the appropriate I/O and feature set for today's mainstream multi-socket servers, server towers and blade server designs.
Broadcom's flexible server I/O architecture enables OEMs to manage the cost structure of their server systems and customize feature sets best suited for each particular server market segment. The scalable architecture also enables OEMs to expand beyond the dual-socket segment into multi-socket product segments while leveraging the existing enterprise-class architecture. Therefore, end users can now take advantage of server-class reliability, availability and serviceability (RAS) features regardless of the server segment. These same RAS features that have become standard in the 4-way and above server segment are now available to the 2-way volume server market.
A server I/O controller chip acts as the interface from processor(s) to other I/O protocols, such as PCI-Express® (via the open standard HyperTransport bus technology) to facilitate data transmission in a server system. Announced today is the Broadcom HT-2100 server I/O controller chip and platform solution designed to solve cost and usability issues for server OEMs. The modular architecture of the HT-2100 controller enables server OEMs to use the same chipset family and software for multiple server markets, requiring minimal changes. By leveraging Broadcom's industry-leading, field proven I/O technology and expertise, the new server I/O controller demonstrates Broadcom's commitment in providing flexible, reliable and scalable server I/O products with the best mix of performance, power consumption and cost-effectiveness.
"AMD applauds Broadcom on the launch of its second generation HyperTransport technology-based server I/O solution," said Pat Patla, Director, Server/Workstation Marketing, AMD (NYSE: AMD). "By supporting Next-Generation AMD Opteron processors and leveraging AMD's revolutionary Direct Connect Architecture, Broadcom demonstrates its ability to deliver robust I/O platform solutions to server OEM customers. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Broadcom."
"By integrating Broadcom's second generation server I/O controllers based on HyperTransport technology in our servers and server blades, we are able to deliver leading innovation and a balanced system architecture that our customers have come to rely on," said Paul Miller, vice president, marketing, Industry Standard Servers and BladeSystem, HP. "HP's comprehensive ProLiant and BladeSystem Opteron-based server portfolio gives customers the most choice and functionality at competitive price points."
"We are pleased to continue our relationship with Broadcom for our new IBM System x and BladeCenter servers based on Next-Generation AMD Opteron processors," said Kelvin Hawkins, director of hardware development, IBM System x. "IBM's collaboration with Broadcom has enabled time-to-market delivery of highly-validated and robust IBM systems based on Broadcom's entire portfolio of chipset platform solutions."
"Broadcom's flexible architecture allows TYAN to come up with multiple server designs that leverage the same I/O resources, enabling faster time to market while still allowing for product differentiation," said Danny Hsu, Vice-President of Sales and Marketing at TYAN Computer Corp.
The HT-2100 server I/O controller features a high performance HyperTransport to PCI-Express bridge that is capable of tunneling data between two HyperTransport ports. The HT-2100 also features 1 GHz HyperTransport technology, 24 lanes of PCI-Express and a HyperTransport tunnel to provide the speed and bandwidth required for next generation I/O protocols.
"Broadcom's HT-2100 controller continues our philosophy of providing modular, flexible and scalable I/O solutions that leverage existing designs and future-proof platform designs," said Wei-Ai Tai, Director of Marketing for Broadcom's Server I/O Line of Business. "Our server OEM customers benefit from the extensive industry-wide validation of our products, as we strive to provide the most robust I/O solution in the server market."

Availability and Pricing

The HT-2100 server I/O controller has been released in mass production. Pricing is available upon request.

About Broadcom

Broadcom Corporation is a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. Our products enable the delivery of voice, video, data and multimedia to and throughout the home, the office and the mobile environment. Broadcom provides the industry's broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art system-on-a-chip and software solutions to manufacturers of computing and networking equipment, digital entertainment and broadband access products, and mobile devices. These solutions support our core mission: Connecting everything®.
Broadcom, one of the world's largest fabless semiconductor companies with annual revenue of more than $2.5 billion, is headquartered in Irvine, Calif., and has offices and research facilities in North America, Asia and Europe. Broadcom may be contacted at 1-949-450-8700 or at http://www.broadcom.com.
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
All statements included or incorporated by reference in this release, other than statements or characterizations of historical fact, are forward- looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry and business, management's beliefs, and certain assumptions made by us, all of which are subject to change. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by words such as "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "may," "will," "should," "would," "could," "potential," "continue," "ongoing," similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Important factors that may cause such a difference for Broadcom in connection with the HT-2100 server I/O controller include, but are not limited to, general economic and political conditions and specific conditions in the markets we address, including the volatility in the technology sector and semiconductor industry, trends in the broadband communications markets in various geographic regions, including seasonality in sales of consumer products into which our products are incorporated, and possible disruption in commercial activities related to terrorist activity or armed conflict in the United States and other locations; uncertainties as a result of the company's previously-disclosed ongoing review of its practices in respect of options/equity grants to employees, and the publicized more general review of option grant practices throughout the technology and other industries by public regulatory bodies, and potential changes in accounting and other practices resulting therefrom; the rate at which our present and future customers and end-users adopt Broadcom's technologies and products in the markets for server applications; delays in the adoption and acceptance of industry standards in those markets; the timing, rescheduling or cancellation of significant customer orders and our ability, as well as the ability of our customers, to manage inventory; the gain or loss of a key customer, design win or order; our ability to scale our operations in response to changes in demand for our existing products and services or demand for new products requested by our customers; intellectual property disputes and customer indemnification claims and other types of litigation risk; our ability to specify, develop or acquire, complete, introduce, market and transition to volume production new products and technologies in a cost-effective and timely manner; our ability to retain, recruit and hire key executives, technical personnel and other employees in the positions and numbers, with the experience and capabilities, and at the compensation levels needed to implement our business and product plans; problems or delays that we may face in shifting our products to smaller geometry process technologies and in achieving higher levels of design integration; competitive pressures and other factors such as the qualification, availability and pricing of competing products and technologies and the resulting effects on sales and pricing of our products; the timing of customer-industry qualification and certification of our products and the risks of non-qualification or non-certification; our ability to timely and accurately predict market requirements and evolving industry standards and to identify opportunities in new markets; changes in our product or customer mix; the volume of our product sales and pricing concessions on volume sales; the availability and pricing of third party semiconductor foundry, assembly and test capacity and raw materials; fluctuations in the manufacturing yields of our third party semiconductor foundries and other problems or delays in the fabrication, assembly, testing or delivery of our products; the risks of producing products with new suppliers and at new fabrication and assembly facilities; the quality of our products and any remediation costs; the effectiveness of our expense and product cost control and reduction efforts; the risks and uncertainties associated with our international operations, particularly in light of recent events; the effects of natural disasters, public health emergencies, international conflicts and other events beyond our control; the level of orders received that can be shipped in a fiscal quarter; and other factors.
Our Annual Report on Form 10-K, subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, subsequent Current Reports on Form 8-K, and other Securities and Exchange Commission filings discuss the foregoing risks as well as other important risk factors that could contribute to such differences or otherwise affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of this date. We undertake no obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason.
Broadcom®, the pulse logo, Connecting everything®, and the Connecting everything logo are among the trademarks of Broadcom Corporation and/or its affiliates in the United States, certain other countries and/or the EU. PCI Express® is a trademark of PCI-SIG Corporation. HyperTransport® and Opteron™ are trademarks of Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners

BlueCore5-ROM

Fully qualified Bluetooth? v2.0 system
Enhanced data rate (EDR) compliant with v2.0.E.2 of specification for both 2Mbits/s and 3Mbits/s modulation modes
Full-speed Bluetooth operation with full piconet support
Scatternet support
1.8V core, 1.7 to 3.6V I/O split rails
Low power 1.8V operation
Minimal external components required
Integrated 1.8V regulator
USB and dual UART ports to 3Mbits/s
Support for 802.11 coexistence
RoHS compliant
Small footprint CSP or VFBGA packages
Overview
BlueCore5-ROM is a single-chip radio and baseband IC for Bluetooth 2.4GHz systems including EDR to 3Mbits/s. With the on-chip CSR Bluetooth software stack it provides a fully compliant Bluetooth system to v2.0 + EDR of the specification for data and voice communications.

BlueCore5-ROM has been designed to reduce the number of external components required which ensures that production costs are minimised. The device incorporates auto-calibration and built-in self-test (BIST) routines to simplify development, type approval and production test.

All hardware and device firmware is fully compliant with the Bluetooth v2.0 specification (all mandatory and optional features). To improve the performance of both Bluetooth and 802.11b/g co-located systems a wide range of co-existence features are available including a variety of hardware signalling: basic activity signalling and Intel WCS activity and channel signalling.

Specification:

Bluetooth? Radio

Common TX/RX terminals simplifies external matching and eliminates external antenna switch
Standalone receive channel inputs for enhanced sensitivity level
BIST minimises production test time. No external trimming is required in production
Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR Specification compliant
Transmitter

+6dBm RF transmit power with level control from on-chip 6-bit DAC over a dynamic range >30dB
Class 2 and Class 3 support without the need for an external power amplifier or TX/RX switch
Class 1 support using external power amplifier, with RF power controlled by an internal 8-bit DAC
Supports DQPSK (2Mbits/s) and 8DPSK (3Mbits/s) modulation
Receiver

Integrated channel filters
Digital demodulator for improved sensitivity and cochannel rejection
Real-time digitised RSSI available on HCI interface
Fast automatic gain control (AGC) for enhanced dynamic range
Supports DQPSK and 8DPSK modulation
Channel classification
Synthesiser

Fully integrated synthesizer requires no external VCO varactor diode, resonator or loop filter
Compatible with crystals between 8 and 40MHz (in multiples of 250kHz) or an external clock
Accepts 7.68, 14.44, 15.36, 16.2, 16.8, 19.2, 19.44, 19.68, 19.8 and 38.4MHz TCXO frequencies for GSM and CDMA devices with sinusoidal or logic level signals
Bluetooth stack
CSR's Bluetooth protocol stack runs on the on-chip MCU in a variety of configurations:

Standard HCI over UART or USB
Fully embedded to RFCOMM
Customised builds with embedded application code
Auxiliary features

Crystal oscillator with built-in digital trimming
Power management includes digital shut down and wake up commands with an integrated low-power oscillator for ultra-low Park/Sniff/Hold mode
Clock Request output to control an external clock source
Device can run in low power modes from an external 32768Hz clock signal
Auto Baud Rate setting for different TCXO frequencies, subject to host interface in use
On-chip linear regulator, producing 1.8V output from 2.7-4.9V input to power I/O ring. Second low dropout linear regulator producing 1.5V core voltage from 1.8V
Power-on-reset cell detects low supply voltage
Arbitrary sequencing of power supplies is permitted
Baseband and software

Internal 48kbyte RAM, allows full-speed data transfer, mixed voice and data, and full piconet operation, including all enhanced data rate (EDR) preset types
Logic for forward error correction, header error control, access code correlation, CRC, demodulation, encryption bit stream generation, whitening and transmit pulse shaping. Supports all Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR features including eSCO and AFH
Transcoders for A-law, μ-law and linear voice from host and A-law, μ-law and CVSD voice over air
Physical interfaces

Synchronous serial interface up to 4Mbits/s for system debugging
UART interface with programmable baud rate up to 3Mbits/s with an optional bypass mode
Optional I2C compatible interfaces
USB v1.1 interface
PCM interface
Package options

60 ball 4.5 x 4.5mm VFBGA, at 0.5mm pitch
34-ball CSP package at 0.5mm pitch

Cambridge, UK – 26 July 2006 – CSR plc (LSE: CSR.L) today announced its unaudited financial results for the second quarter and first half of 2006, reporting strong increases in revenue and operating profits for the quarter and the half-year. Volumes continue to increase, with 100 million units shipped in the first half of 2006.

CSR’s second quarter revenues are up 92% to $182.4m and operating profit for the quarter rose 122% to $41.9m. Revenues for the first half of 2006 are up 97% to $317.3m, whilst operating profit for the first half of 2006 is up 127% to $66.2m. Looking forward, CSR expects an overall increase of 60-70% unit market growth in the whole Bluetooth market in 2006.

CSR’s CEO John Scarisbrick commented on today’s results: “We have achieved a record first half year for revenues, profits and operating cash flow. The results reflect the growth of the Bluetooth market, the strength of CSR’s position and our ability to maintain margins. We were delighted to ship over 100 million units in the first half of 2006; this represents around one third of the total Bluetooth shipments CSR has made to date.

We continue to see significant opportunities in the Bluetooth market, with estimates ranging from 500 to 550 million unit shipments for the whole of 2006, compared to 317 million units in 2005. This rapid growth is being driven by increasing attach rates in the important mobile phone segment where CSR is well positioned as well as the continued adoption of Bluetooth in non-cellular applications.

These results put us well on track to meet expectations for the full year.”

CSR achieved its 1500th design win during Q2 and in the first half of 2006 maintained a design win share in the Bluetooth market in excess of 60%. CSR gained 154 new design wins across the various applications for its leading BlueCore technology. In the important mobile phone sector, notable CSR design wins included 20 Samsung design wins, 10 Nokia design wins, 5 LG design wins and 2 Motorola design wins in the first half of 2006. Going forward, CSR sees evidence of Bluetooth being adopted in more lower end phones.

In Q2 2006 CSR also continued its strong leadership of the Bluetooth headset market winning almost 90% of the available mono headset designs, all of the higher speed EDR headset designs, and 75% of the stereo headset designs including Samsung and Nokia.

In the automotive segment, CSR won 77% of all automotive designs including handsfree designs for Daewoo, Sony and Southwing, and GPS designs with Thales and Harman International.

Survey: Motorola leads Bluetooth headset market

Motorola, the world's second-biggest mobile phone maker, controlled 28.2 percent of the Bluetooth headset market, according to market research group Strategy Analytics.

Denmark's GN Store Nord's Jabra unit was second with 16.3 percent and Plantronics third with 12.3 percent market share.

Popularity of the devices was fueled by falling prices for Bluetooth headsets as well as traffic laws in many countries which require hands-free calling while driving.

The cheapest Bluetooth headsets sell for around 20 euros ($25.26).

Sales to date have been dominated by mono headsets for mobile voice, said Chris Ambrosio, director at Strategy Analytics.

"Looking forward, future revenue growth will increasingly be driven by the need for stereo headsets in mobile music and rich media, like TV," he said.

"However, with average retail pricing in excess of $100 today, stereo Bluetooth headset prices will need to fall by more than 50 percent in order to hit the mass-market sweet spot, which we find to be below $50."

Around one in every eight Bluetooth phones sold in 2006 can beam a stereo sound signal to a stereo Bluetooth headset. Bluetooth is a short-range radio technology currently mostly used to connect cell phones to separate devices like headsets or microphones.