News Details

CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2006--Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) (Nasdaq: UEIC) along with its subsidiary SimpleDevices, Inc. (SimpleDevices), today announced that they have entered into agreements with Gibson Guitar to provide the Nevo(R)universal control technology and SimpleWare(R)Home embedded software solution for the new lineup of the Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox(TM) offerings. Gibson, recognized world-wide as a pioneer and leading innovator of top quality guitars and musical instruments, plans to introduce the Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox to allow users to store large collections of CDs digitally, buy new music directly through the Wurlitzer Music Service, and easily control the entire music collection from a wireless, color touch-screen remote.

The SimpleWare Home embedded application will allow users of the Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox to easily access the vast storage of digital music--up to 1000 CD's. The wireless touch-screen remote, which is powered by UEI's Nevo technology including an infrared (IR) blaster chip to enable universal control of audio/visual devices, also gives listeners access to digital music at their fingertips through an elegant and simple user interface.

In addition to digital media storage, SimpleDevices' SimpleWare Home enables the Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox to provide direct access to the Wurlitzer Music Service, a digital music service that offers 100 channels of digital Internet radio plus a full download store where customers can purchase and download hundreds of thousands of major label songs directly to the jukebox.

The Wurlitzer Digital Jukebox provides high quality audio with a custom-designed speaker and amplifier system from Klipsch Audio Technologies. Gibson plans to demonstrate the Digital Jukebox at the 2006 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"Gibson is an undisputed leader in the music industry. Adding UEI's feature-rich Nevo and SimpleWare Home technologies enables Gibson to introduce a best-in-class digital media jukebox," said Paul Arling, chairman and chief executive officer at UEI. "We are very pleased to be a part of bringing the enjoyment of the classic jukebox, updated with today's most advanced functionality, to a whole new generation of digital media consumers."

"Unlike jukeboxes of the past, this is really a hi-fidelity system. You could give this to your grandmother, and she would be able to enjoy it within a minute," said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. "UEI's history of providing advanced yet intuitive control of devices and digital media makes them the ideal partner in developing this product."

About Gibson

Gibson is known worldwide for producing classic models in every major style of fretted instrument, including acoustic and electric guitars, mandolins and banjos. Gibson's digital guitar represents the biggest advance in electric guitar design in more than 70 years. Founded in 1894 in Kalamazoo, Mich., and headquartered in Nashville, Tenn. since 1984, Gibson Guitar Corp.'s family of brands now includes Epiphone, Dobro, Valley Arts, Kramer, Steinberger, Tobias, Slingerland, Maestro, Baldwin, Hamilton and Wurlitzer

About Universal Electronics

Founded in 1986, Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) is the global leader in wireless control technology for the connected home. UEI designs, develops, and delivers innovative solutions that enable consumers to control entertainment devices, digital media, and home systems.

The company's broad portfolio of patented technologies and database of infrared control software has been adopted by many Fortune 500 companies in the consumer electronics, subscription broadcast, and computing industries. In addition, the company sells wireless control products to distributors and retailers under the One For All(R) brand name.

More information about SimpleDevices and UEI can be obtained at http://www.uei.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are made pursuant to the Safe-Harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words and expressions reflecting something other than historical fact are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the timely development, ordering, delivery and market acceptance of products and technologies identified in this release; the Company's continued ability to develop products in a fashion that results in its technology being accepted by the companies customers and the end users; the ability of the digital media markets to grow as anticipated by management; and other factors described in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statement due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligations to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this release.

CONTACT: Universal Electronics Inc.
Stephanie Trussell, 415-856-5162
strussell@blancandotus.com

SOURCE: Universal Electronics Inc.