On the 15th February 2013 the whole world was captivated by the images of a fireball racing across the skies above Russia. Videos of this dazzling ball of light, the Chelyabinsk meteor, which was brighter than the sun and cast moving shadows on the ground below, soon spread across the media. However, if it wasn’t for the recent proliferation of Mobile Drive Recorders (MDRs) in Russia, the rest of the world would never have had the privilege of sharing in such a rare event and instead would have had to rely on eyewitness accounts.

So where did all the footage come from?

MDRs are small recording devices that sit on the dashboard of a car and record what is happening around the vehicle while it’s in operation. These dashboard mounted cameras, sometimes known as ‘dashcams’, were the sole provider of footage of the Chelyabinsk meteor and have garnered a huge following in Russia and China. It’s hard to pin down their success to one particular feature, but it’s widely acknowledged that they have enhanced the driving experience of many through their high-quality imaging, GPS tracking and around-vehicle sensors that can be found in MDRs such as the Garmin® GDR35™.

There’s no shortage of online video content showing near misses on Russian roads, and that’s because many people use these devices to solve the problem of evidence and liability in the case of a road accident. By recording footage continuously and saving the video to local memory if there is a crash, then the recent footage is marked as an event which can be used to provide evidence for an insurance claim. Insurance companies have realised the benefits of having reliable video footage in a court case and many are now giving discounts to those savvy customers who install an MDR device in their vehicle.

Alongside their primary purpose as a recording device, MDRs can also provide alerts to the driver when changing lanes to look out for blind spots as well as better visibility when reversing into a parking spot. Countries like Russia and China have been ahead of the curve with adopting this technology as an invaluable benefit for driver security. With MDRs becoming cheaper and more widely available, now customers worldwide are increasingly realising the benefits of using an MDR in-vehicle.

By Boaz Efroni Rotman, Director of Segment Marketing, Imaging at CSR

If this tumblr is anything to go by it seems as though Bluetooth® Smart Developers the world over are jumping for joy at Google’s announcement that the next version of Android will natively support Bluetooth Smart Ready.

Joking aside, the news signals a coming of age for Bluetooth Smart technology and the market for Bluetooth Smart Ready appcessories (like the Adonit Jot Touch 4) is set to explode. In fact ABI projects the market for Bluetooth appcessories (defined as an accessory device with a companion application) to grow from 220 million units in 2013 to nearly one billion in 2016.

For the Bluetooth Smart developer community this is a massive opportunity for those looking to create innovative low-energy wireless devices and more functional mobile apps. Developers will soon be able to connect devices and distribute apps within the massive Android ecosystem.

CSR is committed to helping developers capitalise on this opportunity, and by providing flexible and powerful platforms we are allowing them to create devices which give consumers the seamless connectivity experience they desire. The CSR µEnergy® range, will provide developers with complete solutions for a range of devices, including HIDs such as wireless remote controls, mice and innovative appcessories.

They may not realise it yet, but with the major smartphone OSs (Android, Apple iOS and Blackberry 10) and Windows 8 and Apple OS X committed to the Bluetooth Smart ecosystem, consumers will reap the rewards including universal compatibility, seamless set-up and much reduced power consumption.

If you’re a regular visitor to the CSR blog you’ll notice that we’ve made some changes in the last 24 hours. We have a new logo, new tagline and new artwork to better reflect what CSR represents in today’s market.

Over the last five years CSR has embarked on a journey to evolve from a runaway Bluetooth® start-up success, to a more diversified platform company with world beating IP and products in several markets. And what a journey it’s been. We’ve invested in development of technologies like Wi-Fi® and Audio, merged with SiRF® and Zoran®, added aptX®, DDFA® and MAPX™ to our company and divested our handset connectivity and location business to Samsung.

The company is unrecognisable to what it looked like when we started. Yes, changing the company hasn’t always been easy, and many outsiders have openlyquestioned our ability to deliver the transformation. However, for me it was always clear that we would be able to achieve our goals.

The reason for my confidence is simple: our history at CSR is filled with examples of re-imagining what is possible, of being stubbornly inventive, of asking ‘when’ not ‘if’. We never settle, we keep pushing and we know that ‘impossible’ is just a word.

We are in the right markets, we have the right technology, we have leading market share and we have ambitious product ideas. Our new brand reflects all of this plus the tenacity of our people and their ability to push every boundary, which is at the heart of everything we do.

I am truly excited about our new brand as I feel it communicates an essential part of our culture that has made us successful in the past and will help us deliver against the opportunity in front of us. It would be great to hear your thoughts on the new brand – from the values behind it to the artwork itself. We look forward to hearing your feedback and taking you on the next stage of our journey with us.

By Joep van Beurden, CEO of CSR

SMS Audio, LLC is the latest audio accessories brand to commit to delivering its customers high quality wireless audio by joining the aptX ecosystem. 50 Cent’s audio brand has licensed the CSR aptX® audio codec to ensure music lovers get to experience music delivered wirelessly via Bluetooth® at the same quality as it was created in the studio. The first products to be launched as part of the new range will be the SYNC by 50™ On-Ear Wireless Headphones and SYNC by 50™ portable Bluetooth speaker which will arrive in retail stores globally in late summer 2013.

SMS Audio joins an ecosystem of 156 high-profile manufacturers that use aptX for devices from wireless headphones to soundbars. But it’s not just accessories; some of the biggest smartphone manufacturers including Samsung and HTC are choosing aptX for their smartphones, ensuring consumers can wirelessly stream music from their mobile devices without losing audio quality.

In the past, many higher-end audio companies were reluctant to dabble in Bluetooth stereo because of the perceived ‘so-so’ sound quality. They didn’t want to damage their audiophile reputations by producing products that could deliver poor listening experiences for end-users. But aptX has changed all that, allowing consumers to lose the wires without losing the audio quality.

So how does it work? In order to fit within the Bluetooth ‘pipe’ and be transmitted wirelessly, audio needs to use a bit rate reduction technique. aptX audio technology uses a non-destructive solution to ensure the audio is transmitted over Bluetooth’s available bandwidth. It replicates the entire frequency of the audio, maintaining CD-quality audio over the Bluetooth connection and ensuring that users can hear everything as the artist originally intended.

For more details on SMS Audio joining the aptX ecosystem you can view the press release here.

German car manufacturer, Volkswagen, recently announced it will be partnering with Apple to fully integrate the iPhone with its Beetle. The byproduct of the alliance between these two iconic companies is the iBeetle, which will be available in coupe and convertible models.

Volkswagen has created a unique app that brings iPhone connectivity to the iBeetle either through a docking station or wirelessly, delivering access to a host of functions. The app integrates with a user’s Spotify account, allowing them to stream playlists or live radio to the Beetle’s speakers. It also includes functions such as a ‘Reader’ that can read iPhone messages aloud and an ‘Expert’ mode which makes the iPhone an extension of the Beetle’s dashboard, including a G-Meter for measuring acceleration and an engine temperature gauge.

The partnership between Apple and Volkswagen signifies more than just integrating the iPhone with a car; it highlights the growing consumer demand for automotive infotainment, particularly smartphone integration in the car, and the moves that both car manufacturers and smartphone providers are taking to make this a reality. Integrating apps into the car safely is something we’ve been working on with Livio around the Livio Connect API, and it’s great to see such big brands embracing the concept to the benefit of the consumer. 

This is particularly timely ahead of this year’s Telematics Detroit in June, where the theme is ‘Master the Connected Car experience’. Wireless connectivity and accurate location positioning is key to making the connected car a seamless reality for consumers and CSR will be showing its range of automotive infotainment solutions at the show, as well as announcing a number of new connectivity solutions.

Keep an eye on the blog for more details of what we’ll be demonstrating at the show, and if you’re attending stop by booth #65 to see how we’re redefining the in-car experience.

CSR’s Automotive Infotainment team is gearing up to showcase its ground-breaking new connectivity products at the Telematics Detroit 2013 Conference & Exhibition over two days in June, the 5th and 6th. Held in Novi, Michigan in the heartland of the US automotive industry, this major industry event brings together the global telematics ecosystem to master the “connected car” user experience and build brand affinity. Here are some of the event highlights: over 100 expert speakers (from the likes of GM, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Mercedes-Benz) will deliver their visions for the connected car and the evolving automotive apps ecosystem that is set to revolutionise consumer interaction with the vehicle; a quintet of conference tracks including sessions on connectivity business models, end-to-end telematics platforms, V2X technologies, big data, and open app development.

CSR exhibits on booth 65.

Car manufacturers are always looking to differentiate their cars, and adding comprehensive connectivity is one of the best vehicles to demonstrate a raft of features that address changes in consumer behaviour. Drivers no longer want to play CDs into the car – they want the playlist that is already on their phones or MP3 player. They do not want to recreate their address books or re-enter the contacts into the vehicle – they want this information to be automatically and wirelessly transmitted from their phone to the dash.

The connected vehicle has the potential to fulfil these consumer desires, as well as offer a quantum boost in passenger safety, health and wellbeing, convenience and driving enjoyment. OEMs are exploring what the possibilities are of integrating other wireless gadgets into the car to make it a truly connected vehicle. Many offerings are now in the works, using connectivity and location developments such as Bluetooth® Smart, wideband speech and location innovations. It’s no surprise that CSR is well positioned to deliver the entire in-vehicle ecosystem with its patented Bluetooth® Smart, imaging, connectivity and location solutions.

For example, many people use wireless headsets in order to talk on the phone whilst driving, but infotainment solutions such as SiRFprimaII™ and SiRFatlasVI™ can enable hands-free support, giving users the ability to use the car’s audio system to talk on the phone without a headset, as well as access address and phone lists via voice command. Used in conjunction with a navigation system, drivers can auto-dial phone numbers associated with points of interest, such as hotels and restaurants.

Another use case is the connection of MP3 players, iPods, smartphones and other mobile devices to the car, so that songs and playlists can be chosen from the car’s video screen using voice commands. This avoids the need to look down at menus on users’ handheld devices, providing a far less hazardous way to enjoy music on the road. Some cars will offer wireless data plans so that drivers can listen to music through services such as Pandora in the US, allowing consumers to share music with friends on their phone lists, and even have limited access to Facebook and Twitter through very simple voice commands.

There are many other ways that wireless technology can ensure an easy, safe and comfortable driving experience, so keep your eyes on the blog as we explain other use cases in the coming weeks. What do you think will be the biggest benefits that the connected car will bring? Leave your comments below.

Earlier this week the Daily Mail reviewed the latest SmallPod speakers by Scandyna. There’s no denying that they have eye-catching qualities, but however good they look, wireless speakers need the audio quality to match.

In the past, many higher-end audio companies were reluctant to dabble in Bluetooth stereo because of the perceived ‘so-so’ sound quality. They didn’t want to damage their audiophile reputations by producing products that could deliver poor listening experiences for end-users. However the Scandnya speakers are a great example of how more and more high-end audio companies are dipping their toes into wireless audio. So what has changed?

CSR’s audio codec aptX is the key. In order to fit within the Bluetooth ‘pipe’ and be transmitted wirelessly, audio needs to use a bit rate reduction technique. aptX audio technology uses a non-destructive solution to ensure the audio is transmitted over Bluetooth’s available bandwidth. It replicates the entire frequency of the audio, maintaining CD-quality audio over the Bluetooth connection and ensuring that users can hear everything as the artist originally intended.

In addition to this, smartphone manufacturers haven’t prioritised wireless audio quality historically and therefore haven’t invested in high-quality audio codecs. This has meant that even if peripheral devices, such as headphones and speakers, did contain them they would not be compatible with the smartphones streaming the audio. However, this is changing, as smartphones including Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One and a whole host of other recent releases now include aptX.

This means that tech-savvy consumers can now expect to be able to stream their music wirelessly from smartphones and other mobile devices while still being able to tweet, message friends and talk on the phone. They can lift their speakers from the kitchen to the garden when they have friends over for a barbecue and they can do all this without compromising on audio quality.

So, along with Scandya’s SmallPod speakers, which other high-end devices can consumers get their hands on to enjoy a high-quality wireless audio experience? Here’s our pick of some of the best new aptX enabled wireless audio solutions on the market:

• Jarre Technologies AeroSkull
Another design that is sure to turn people’s heads! The AeroSkull features two 15 Watt speakers hidden behind sunglasses with an impressive 40 Watt Sub Woofer covering the whole of the back of the skull

• Beats Pill by Dr. Dre
The Pill is the latest speaker system to emerge from Beats. With wireless audio, tap-to-pair NFC functionality and an 8-hour battery life – it’s just what the Dr. ordered

• Harman Kardon BT headphones
As over-ear cans go, you could do much worse than the wireless BTs. Harmon Kardon have all bases covered, even including a built-in microphone and playback buttons for use with your smartphone

• Braven Six Series Speakers
Although it appears to be recycled from the 2012 Olympic torch, the Braven 650 takes gold for having a 20-hour playtime and wireless capability from up to 33 feet away

Braven 650 aptX enabled speakers

• Monster Clarity HD Micro
You’ll be surprised by the monstrous sound that comes out of this miniature speaker. The Micro even has voice functionality letting users pause, skip, and answer calls while listening, all wirelessly and with great audio quality

• Logitech UE 900
Should you ever need to spend some quality time with your music, the wireless UE 9000 offers intuitive controls so you can change tracks, turn up the volume, or take a call and get back to the music without missing a beat

This year’s Bluetooth World event – the highly successful reboot of the Bluetooth SIG’s venerable All Hands Meeting – evidenced the return to “booming” market growth for all things Bluetooth fueled by the much-anticipated arrival of a slew of both Bluetooth Smart enabled “Appcessories” and Bluetooth Smart Ready devices. CSR and other Bluetooth Smart providers, developers, and brands showcased an impressive array of Bluetooth Smart and classic Bluetooth technology. A number of medical device manufacturers displayed a bevy of health and fitness devices, including heart-rate monitors, glucose meters, and blood-pressure monitors, to name a few.

Not surprisingly, Internet of Things (IoT) permeated the agenda of the event’s conference proceedings and was the central theme of both the opening keynote and the closing speech  Several panel sessions were devoted entirely to IoT with attendees animatedly asking panelists and speakers the kind of questions only those developing products and platforms for IoT would field. Consequently, the atmosphere in the main auditorium was absolutely electric given that IoT is expected to be one of the major drivers of the market growth – some indeed predict “hockey-stick” growth – of Bluetooth 4.0.

But the real star of Bluetooth World 2013 – this year held in Shanghai, China – was undoubtedly Bluetooth Smart itself, the “low energy” iteration of Bluetooth wireless connectivity standard. CSR staff were there to show and tell a buzzing crowd about an exciting array of CSR µEnergy® based Bluetooth Smart devices: the biggest draw for many of the 640 plus attendees was the demonstration of a µEnergy based “airmouse” smart remote control with embedded voice recognition. Also on show on the busy CSR booth was the new Dexin Bluetooth Smart mini keyboard and mouse for the Surface by Microsoft, a Windows 8 tablet. CSR also put the µEnergy based MadCatz GameSmart gaming mouse through its paces, and CSR’s Patrick Cullen wowed visiting audio engineers with a demo of CSR aptX Low Latency enabled Bluetooth Stereo gaming speakers.

As CSR’s David James observed: “…the combination of competitors, prospects, technologists and potential development partners all with burning questions about the latest ways to use Bluetooth Smart is a reminder that we are collectively building something more than the next new widget: we are changing the way the world connects and improving our lives with wireless connectivity.” CSR will be back at Bluetooth World in 2014.

GPS World Webinar: Indoor Positioning and Navigation – results of the FCC’s CSRIC Bay Area Trials

REGISTER for Webinar

Thursday, April 18, 2013 – 10am PT / 1pm ET / 6pm GMT

Greg Turetzky, CSR

Speakers:
Greg Turetzky, Senior Marketing Director, Location Strategy, CSR
Khaled Dessouky, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Vice President, TechnoCom Corporation
Ganesh Pattabiraman, Co-Founder, President and COO, NextNav
Norm Shaw, Executive Director, Government Affairs and Business Development, Polaris Wireless

Moderator:
Alan Cameron, Editor & Publisher, GPS World

Continue reading “GPS World Webinar: Indoor Positioning and Navigation” »