Parrot Introduces Two Innovative Hands-Free Kits at CES 2008: One for Cars and Trucks, Another for Motorcyclists

Parrot Introduces Two Innovative Hands-Free Kits at CES 2008: One for Cars and Trucks, Another for Motorcyclists

The Parrot SK4000, a hands-free music kit for motorcyclists, and the Parrot RK8200, car stereo system Made for iPod(R), provide drivers with premium hands-free cell phone capabilities

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- Parrot, a leader in wireless peripherals around the mobile phone, introduced two new innovative and ground-breaking hands-free cell phone systems -- one for drivers of cars and trucks, and the other for motorcyclists.

The Parrot SK4000 is a Bluetooth(R) Stereo (A2DP)-enabled helmet headset for motor-cyclists that features an FM RDS radio and a wireless mobile remote control for the handlebar, while the Parrot RK8200 is a full-featured Made for iPod(R) FM/AM RDS car stereo that has all the connections necessary to play digital and analog music.

Both units offer Parrot's premium hands-free cell phone capability while providing a long list of benefits for the car driver or motorcyclist - all standard.

Parrot RK8200 new full-Featured Bluetooth(R) Car Stereo

The Parrot RK8200 is a full-featured Made for iPod(R) FM/AM RDS car stereo that has all the connections necessary to play digital and analog music and that also incorporates a Bluetooth(R) hands-free mobile phone kit. Boasting sophisticated cell phone functions, the Parrot RK8200 stands out with powerful performance, a user-friendly design and the broadest set of features available on the market.

"Consumers today enjoy music from many different sources -- from iPods and MP3s, to mobile phones and FM stereo -- so our new Parrot RK8200 stereo receiver accommodates every popular source," says Ed Valdez, president and COO of Parrot, Inc. "It elevates the car stereo to become a multifunctional audio hub for the car while bringing the best combination of music and mobility. Its full range of audio effects will delight the music lover, while the advanced Bluetooth features provide a smart choice for hands-free cell phone usage while driving."

Powered by a 4 x 45-watt amplifier, the Parrot RK8200 offers an iPod- specific connector, a USB port for flash drives and MP3 players, a line-in socket for analog sources, an SD card reader and streaming audio via Bluetooth A2DP wireless technology. The Parrot RK8200 also sports an internal memory that can store over 300 MP3 tracks. Hidden behind the removable faceplate is a handy storage compartment in which to keep an iPod, mobile phone, MP3 player or USB flash drive.

As a car kit, the Parrot RK8200's capabilities are unsurpassed, bringing the most advanced hands-free functions together in a simple and easy to use interface. It features automatic phonebook synchronization, complete call records, a total storage capacity of 8,000 contacts, and hands-free call functionality through voice recognition and special Parrot voice synthesis (Text-to-Speech) that reads contact names directly to the user.

To ensure crystal-clear conversations, the Parrot RK8200's dual microphone makes use of echo cancellation and Parrot's innovative new Dynamic Choice of Best Microphone (DCBM) noise reduction technology. DCBM detects the position of the person speaking and dynamically chooses the best microphone to use.

Like all Parrot car-kits, the Parrot RK8200 is compatible with virtually all Bluetooth mobile phones on the market. The Parrot RK8200 will be available in Europe and the U.S. in the second quarter of 2008. MSRP to be announced.

Parrot SK4000: the wireless Hands-Free Music Kit for Motorcyclists

The Parrot SK4000 is an award-winning Bluetooth hands-free motorcycle kit that features FM RDS radio and wireless mobile remote control. The Parrot SK4000 uses innovative noise reduction and echo cancellation technology and provides the widest range of features available in this market segment.

Motorcyclists can now switch between their favorite songs--whatever the format--and answer calls with the clip-on wireless remote fixed to the motorcycle's left handlebar. The Parrot SK4000 offers the motorcyclist the ability to listen to streaming music via Bluetooth A2DP, or via the FM radio (RDS inside) or from analog sources via its mini-USB line-in connector.

The Parrot SK4000 uses Parrot's new multi-user voice recognition software, which eliminates the need to record voice tags; the kit will recognize the contact's name spoken by whoever is using the kit and will dial the number automatically. Also, the unique Text-to-Speech (TTS) voice synthesis feature reads contact names from the user's phonebook through the earpiece and will also audibly identify radio stations to help the rider select a station without taking his or her hands of the handlebar.

The Parrot SK4000 kit mounts easily in most motorcycle helmets and its rechargeable lithium-ion battery provides 10-hours of talk-time. The handle- bar mounted wireless remote control allows the rider to select the sound source, handle calls and choose music. The kit also has automatic volume setting which adjusts to the surroundings and automatic phone book synchronization to allow for voice-activated dialing.

The Parrot SK4000 has been awarded an iF Design Award 2008 for its smart form and functionality. Since its introduction in 1953, the iF Design Award has been a consistent hallmark of outstanding quality.

Like all Parrot car-kits, the Parrot SK4000 is compatible with virtually all Bluetooth mobile phones on the market. The Parrot SK400 will be available in Europe and the U.S. in the second quarter of 2008 with a suggested MSRP of $189.99 in the U.S.

For more information about Parrot car kits, please visit our website www.parrot.com.

Technical specifications of the Parrot RK8200

-- Screen
LED - 1 line of 6 numbers
Optimal visibility in every position (Dual-side display)
Displays FM frequency
Pairing: by pin code
Update: via Bluetooth or serial cable

-- Interface:
2.4-inch TFT screen with 262 144 colors
12-key numeric keypad
8 control buttons + 1 rotary button

-- Display:
Phone information: Phonebook, caller names and numbers
Playlist, album cover, artist and title

-- Audio:
4x45W amplifier with 20-bit DAC
Minimal impedance of 4 ohms
Line-out socket for external amplifiers

-- Tuner:
FM and AM bands (PO and GO), RDS w/48 presets
Digital & analogue connections:
Specific iPod and USB connector
SD card reader
Analogue jack line-in socket at the front
Analogue RCA line-in socket at the back

-- Telephony:
Automatic phonebook synchronization
Complete call records
Number of contacts: total of 8000
Voice recognition
Speech synthesis of the names in the phonebook (TTS)

-- Sound:
Full duplex and echo cancellation
Parrot DCBM noise reduction
Double microphone built into the front panel
Automatic detection of the speaker's position
Bluetooth stereo (A2DP) compatible
Transmission through the vehicle's speakers

-- Bluetooth
Bluetooth v1.2
Profiles supported:
HSP 1.0 (Headset Profile)
HFP 0.96 / 1.0 / 1.5 (Hands Free Profile)
A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile)
AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile)
OPP (Object Push Profile)
PBAP (Phone Book Access Profile)
SYNC
Maximum range: 10 meters / 33 feet
Pairing by PIN code, maximum of 10 devices
Updates via Bluetooth

Technical specifications of the Parrot SK4000

-- General
FM radio
Bluetooth Stereo (A2DP) audio streaming
Audio effects (Stereo Widening & Virtual Super Bass)
DSP: echo cancellation + noise reduction
Name dialing & Phone book synchronization
Text to Speech
Wireless remote control (RF)
Automatic volume setting
Jack Line-In connector (Mini-USB)
Microphone: Noise Reduction Microphone (with Microphone Sponge)
Headphones: 32mm / 32 Ohms Speakers
Voice recognition: Phone Book Speaker Independent
Voice Recognition
Text-To-Speech (TTS): on Phone Book Entries & Radio Station Names (RDS)
Automatic phone book synchronization
Audio: Bluetooth Streaming (A2DP / AVRCP), FM Radio (RDS inside),
Analog Audio (Line In)
Supported Bluetooth profiles: HFP, A2DP, AVRCP, OPP Sync, PBAP
Update by Bluetooth
Bluetooth range: 10 meters - 33 feet
Processor: Parrot 5+ / Flash = 256 Mbits ANAD Flash / RAM = 64 Mbits
Battery: Lithium Ion Rechargeable Battery (1100 mA/h) for Headset and
2XBatteries (Remote Control)
Talk Time: 10h

ABOUT PARROT

Founded in 1994, Parrot has rapidly established itself as a pivotal global player for wireless mobile telephone accessories. Drawing on its tried-and- tested expertise on voice recognition and signal processing technologies, Parrot was one of the very first companies to produce Bluetooth(R)-based wireless hands free car kits, having identified this standard's vast potential as early as 1999. In 2006, Parrot sold about 3 million units. Determined to accompany the wireless peripherals' irresistible breakthrough into our day-to- day lives, Parrot has been developing since 2006 a new wireless range of sound and image products. Today, Parrot truly has a major international focus: 90.5% of its sales are generated outside of France, and a large percentage of its production is outsourced to carefully selected partners, enabling it to achieve the best possible level of quality and responsiveness. Parrot is now particularly well positioned to capitalize on the bright future opening up for mobile telephone devices. Parrot has achieved strong growth in its consolidated revenues, up from 80.9 million Euros pro forma in 2005 to 166.9 million Euros in 2006.

www.parrot.com

Euronext Paris - Eurolist, Compartment B: FR0004038263 - PARRO

(R)The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Parrot S.A. is under license. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: Parrot

CONTACT: Jacquelyn Messer, +1-212-871-3952, jacquelyn.messer@text100.com,
or Mike Hedge, +1-248-789-8976, mike.hedge@parrot.com, both of Parrot

Web site:

http://www.parrot.com/

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