News Details

SANTA ANA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 3, 2013-- Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) (NASDAQ: UEIC), a worldwide leader in universal remote control technologies and control interfaces, is bringing the latest innovations in universal control and accessories for connected home entertainment to CES 2013.

Key Technology Demonstrations

At this year’s CES, UEI will demonstrate several new universal remote concepts and second screen solutions for complete universal control of home entertainment devices:

Making Smart Devices an Integral Part of the Home Entertainment Experience

Tablets and smartphones are quickly becoming a regular part of the home entertainment ecosystem. According to Nielsen Research, almost 90 percent of tablet and smartphone owners in the U.S. use their smart screen device while watching TV at least once during a month; almost 70% are doing this several times a week.

With several design wins on leading mobile handset and tablet device manufacturers under their belt, UEI will demonstrate their comprehensive solution for embedded control in 2^nd screen devices. This includes their global device control database and industry-leading UEI QuickSet, coupled with features such as Cloud Services, and a comprehensive range of small footprint infrared microcontrollers for quick integration in any smart device.

UEI Control Plus

Simplify the home entertainment setup and control experience across all AV devices with UEI Control Plus. This solution addresses common consumer challenges in universal device control, such as mode confusion and input switching. With UEI Control Plus technology, consumers switch easily between activities and reliably view their chosen content source. Features of this product include:

• Automated Setup – automatically detects and sets up most IP and HDMI-connected devices.
• Dynamic Key Mapping – remote buttons automatically map to appropriate devices based on the active content source device
• One Touch View (OTV) – a single button press instantly gets the user to their chosen content.
• Smart device integration – brings universal control into second screen apps

New Product Concepts

In its 21st year of demonstrating new innovative solutions at CES, UEI brings a host of new product concepts to their booth to showcase new use cases and technology applications that redefine the role of entertainment control in the home. Highlights include:

Multi-Room, “Follow Me” Remote

Building on UEI’s Universal Remote Control API, which makes integration and implementation of remote control features easier and more flexible, the Follow Me remote concept is applicable to Service Provider Zigbee RF4CE platforms and multi-room client-server set-top box systems, where a remote control can be as portable as the content, as it moves from room to room allowing users to pick up content viewing where they left off without any user intervention.

Touch to Share - NFC Sharing

Forrester Research predicted that the final number of NFC-enabled mobile devices shipping worldwide would more than double in 2012 to nearly 100 million. UEI embeds this emerging technology in a remote control to demonstrate easy sharing of video from smart device to connected TV and improved integration of second screen ad-related content with the primary viewing screen for synchronizing with companion apps, all with a single tap of the remote to the smartphone.

Bluetooth Smart Connectivity Solutions

UEI will demonstrate a line of connected remote and personal accessory concepts with embedded Bluetooth Smart (”low energy”) enabling a host of interesting possibilities in mobile device interactivity between remote and smartphone. These applications can extend beyond just universal AV control. For example, service providers can offer new enhanced services such as health and fitness monitoring by simply embedding these technologies in the most used device in the home, the remote control.

Ubiquitous Connectivity Solutions with Wi-Fi Direct

UEI will demonstrate the use of a Wi-Fi Direct remote to simplify integration of features such as gesture and voice control as well as user identification for a more personalized user experience. A Wi-Fi Direct solution requires minimal integration effort with host devices and no additional hardware on existing Wi-Fi implementations.

Designovation

Another annual tradition for UEI at CES is their designovation showcase, blending design and user experience to create products that are both aesthetically beautiful and functional to ensure successful product adoption. This year at CES, UEI will show three new design concepts including UEI Cocoon, which uses a single AA or AAA battery integrated with a new power efficient Maxim chipset and UEI’s Low Energy IR firmware for an eco-friendly remote control solution that delivers the same performance as traditional two battery remotes in a sleek design that minimizes raw material use.

UEI Ludo is another unique design concept that delivers a single, unique remote platform to address the roll out of interactive gaming on connected TVs, blending emerging trends in next generation entertainment devices such as lean back control, casual gaming, and interactive “gamepad” gaming all in one design platform.

Invited guests are welcome to visit Universal Electronics and experience live demonstrations at booth 20211 in South Hall 1 at the International Consumer Electronics Show, January 8-11, 2013.

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® brand name. More information is available at www.uei.com.

All trademarks appearing herein are the property of their respective owners.

Safe Harbor Statement

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, delivery and market acceptance of products and technologies identified in this release; the continued penetration and growth of next generation consumer technologies identified in this release; 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.

Source: Universal Electronics Inc.

Universal Electronics Inc.
Benny Canady, UEI Corporate Marketing and Public Relations
(714) 918-9500
bcanady@ueic.com