.Audio 655 USB Stereo PC Headset Enhances Audio Quality for Users of the All-New Skype
Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today introduced the Plantronics .Audio™
655 USB Stereo Headset for PC-based communications and multimedia. The
.Audio 655 is the industry’s first headset to take full advantage of the
crystal clear audio quality of calls in the all-new version of Skype™
for Windows®.
The .Audio 655 is the first headset certified to work with Skype’s new
SILK speech codec, which was introduced earlier this year. This new
audio codec delivers exceptionally clear conversations and achieves
wideband audio quality (16kHz) using 50 percent less network bandwidth
than previously required. Moreover, it introduces a new standard for
speech quality – super wideband audio (24kHz) – which delivers crystal
clear, richer and warmer sound to those using a compatible headset and a
high quality broadband connection. Skype’s bandwidth manager interacts
with the codec to adjust quickly to fluctuating bandwidth conditions to
produce the most reliable sound.
“Skype’s new super wideband audio is a breakthrough in providing
consumers with even richer voice and video calls, so they get the
feeling of true ‘face-to-face’ conversations,” said Matt Miller,
director of PC and Entertainment at Plantronics. Inc. “The .Audio 655 is
the only headset for Skype’s 405 million registered users worldwide to
take full advantage of super wideband audio, while delivering great
comfort and plug-and-play simplicity.”
“We believe that our new state-of-the-art super wideband audio
capability sets a new standard for richer voice communications over the
Internet,” said Jonathan Christensen, Skype’s General Manager for Audio
and Video. ”We are proud to be partnering with Plantronics to showcase
this improvement in the calling experience for consumers.”
Plantronics .Audio 655 – A Perfect Skype Companion
The Plantronics .Audio 655 stereo headset delivers deep bass and
full-range digital audio through 40 mm speakers, includes a
noise-cancelling microphone for clear conversations, and features Fast
Mic Mute™ technology that lets users quickly mute the microphone by
raising the boom. The .Audio 655’s soft, swivel-mounted ear cushions and
lightweight design provide all-day wearing comfort so users can listen
to music, make internet calls, or play DVDs and games. For ease of use,
the headset uses a plug-and-play USB connection and features one-touch
volume controls on the earpiece.
The All-New Skype
The all-new Skype is the most exciting and fundamental change to Skype’s
software since the company’s inception five years ago. It incorporates
many substantive improvements to video calling and overall ease-of-use,
making it even easier to communicate online, using whatever method is
preferred – free voice and video calls to other Skype users, instant
messaging, as well as calls to landlines and mobile devices around the
world and SMS at very low rates.
Pricing and Availability
The Plantronics .Audio 655 USB stereo headset will be available at Best
Buy for $49.99 beginning in April 2009. To learn more about the .Audio
655, please visit www.plantronics.com.
About Skype
Founded in 2003, Skype is revolutionizing the way people communicate
around the world. Skype has more than 405 million registered users
globally who use Skype software to communicate for free through voice
and video calls as well as instant messages. Skype generates revenue
through its premium offerings, such as calls made to and from landlines
and mobiles, voicemail, call forwarding, and SMS. Skype is used in
almost every country on Earth, and people have made more than 100
billion minutes worth of free Skype-to-Skype calls. Conversations over
Skype can take place on computers, mobile devices and Skype Certified™
hardware. Skype certifies and sells hundreds of hardware products from
more than 50 partners, and works with hundreds of third-party developers
who have created plug-ins to extend Skype’s functionality.
Skype is an eBay company (NASDAQ: EBAY). Learn more and download Skype
at www.skype.com.
Access to a broadband Internet connection is required. Skype is not a
replacement for your traditional telephone service and cannot be used
for emergency calling.
About Plantronics
In 1969, a Plantronics headset carried the historic first words from the
moon: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Since
then, Plantronics has become the headset of choice for mission-critical
applications such as air traffic control, 911 dispatch and the New York
Stock Exchange. Today, this history of innovation is the basis for every
audio product we build for the office, contact center, personal mobile,
entertainment and residential markets. The Plantronics family of brands
includes Plantronics, Altec Lansing and Clarity. For more information,
go to www.plantronics.com or
call (800) 544-4660.
Altec Lansing, .Audio, Clarity, Fast Mic Mute, Plantronics, and Sound
Innovation are trademarks or registered trademarks of Plantronics, Inc.
Skype, associated trademarks and logos and the “S” symbol are trademarks
of Skype Limited. Microsoft is a trademark or registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation in the US and other countries. All other
trademarks are the property of the respective owners.
