News Details

New Parental Control Device Leads the Way for Safe Family Television Viewing; Remote Extender Product Seamlessly Controls Hidden Audio-Visual Equipment Using Existing Remotes

CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 2, 2007--Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) (NASDAQ:UEIC) today announced two new product releases, one aimed at making home entertainment safer for children and the other at enhancing home entertainment control. The new Cricket(TM) Kids Remote features a means of simple parental content control and combines ease-of-use and a bright toy-like design to appeal to children of all ages. The UEI remote extender product converts any existing infrared (IR) remote to a radio frequency (RF) remote, allowing users to design their home entertainment around aesthetics rather than line-of-sight concerns with traditional infrared remotes.

The Cricket Kids Remote offers parents an effective way to restrict television viewing to a select list of family friendly channels, such as Disney(R), Nickelodeon(R), Cartoon Network(R) and others. In addition to bringing peace of mind, Cricket's simple ergonomic design combines only 14 large keys in a design that is easy to hold and grip for a child. Kids will also enjoy the customizable image compartment that can display a child's favorite cartoon character front and center on the remote.

"The feedback we've received from both end users and multiple system operators (MSOs) has been very positive," says Ramzi Ammari, vice president of product development for UEI. "Kaiser Family Foundation research shows that by age 6, 87% of children can turn the TV on by themselves and 71% can change the channels with a remote. With the Cricket Kids Remote, parents can rest easy with the confidence that their children are watching only pre-approved programs."

The remote extender product is another innovative accessory that can turn an ordinary infrared (IR) remote control into a radio frequency (RF) remote. This is done by converting the IR beam of the remote to an RF signal and then reconverting it back to IR by a small receiver placed inside the AV equipment cabinet. Installation is a snap as the process is no more difficult than replacing a battery in your existing remote control with the RF transmitter.

"The growth in plasma and LCD televisions in subscriber households has spurred interest from those who want to keep their AV equipment hidden from sight," continues Ammari. "The remote extender product is a quick and easy way to impress your guests with a clean and uncluttered home entertainment area where the AV stack is hidden behind a cabinet, closet or in another room altogether. Both Cricket and the remote control extender demonstrate how UEI continues to find ways to leverage our outstanding technology for innovative use in the mass market."

These two new products give MSOs additional accessories to offer to their customer base, leading to higher revenues per user. MSOs will appreciate the ability to use Cricket as a conversation starter with customers who are interested in parental control, and offer upselling opportunities for additional set-top boxes in childrens' rooms. Both Cricket and the UEI remote extender are also great additions to any retail storefront as aftermarket accessories for cable and satellite subscription broadcasters.

Orders are now being taken for shipment in summer of 2007. See more about Cricket and UEI's remote extender at www.uei.com/newaccessories

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 have been adopted by many Fortune 500 companies in the consumer electronics, subscription broadcast, and computing industries. UEI sells and licenses wireless control products through distributors and retailers under the One For All(R) brand name. UEI also delivers complete home control solutions in the professional custom installation market under the brand name Nevo(R), as well as software solutions for digital media control and enjoyment in the consumer and OEM markets under the brand SimpleCenter(TM).

Cricket(TM) is a trademark of Universal Electronics Inc. Other product or service names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

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 design products in a fashion that results in its technology being accepted by the companies customers and the end users; the continued importance of the Company's database of codes and other technologies; the continued growth in the markets identified in this release to occur 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: Blanc & Otus Public Relations for UEI
Stephanie Trussell, 415-341-6511
strussell@blancandotus.com

SOURCE: Universal Electronics Inc.