News Details

New Software Upgrade Brings Advanced Two-Way Control and Communication to the Award-Winning Nevo(R) Line of Intelligent Home Control Devices

CYPRESS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 8, 2009--Universal Electronics Inc. (NASDAQ:UEIC) today announced significant software upgrades to the NevoS70 and NevoQ50 home control devices. Home control continues to grow as an important requirement for advanced control devices. The new software for the latest Nevo devices enables two-way Z-Wave(TM) control and communication for home control systems such as lighting, HVAC, window coverings, and others. In addition, it enables two-way serial communication, including metadata, for select devices. These upgrades continue improving the user experience for the Nevo family of products which intuitively deliver complete audio/visual control for the home in elegant one-handed controllers.

Two-way Z-Wave Control

Both the NevoS70 and NevoQ50 programming upgrades enable full two-way Z-Wave control for:

• Lighting
• Window coverings
• HVAC
• Access control (lock/unlock)
• Sensors (on/off)
• Generic Z-Wave devices

Two-way communication gives the user immediate feedback on the remote to indicate the current status of the devices. For example, users can see on the remote's display what lights are on and what the levels are of the lights (for dimmers), and can also check the thermostat for the current temperature.

Z-Wave is a next-generation wireless ecosystem that lets home electronics talk to each other, and to users, via remote control. It uses simple, reliable, low-power radio frequency (RF) waves that easily travel through walls, floors, and cabinets. This RF capability allows Nevo controllers to transmit to equipment hidden behind walls, inside cabinets, or in other rooms.

Two-way Serial Communication with New Devices

The NevoS70 and NevoQ50 also now feature two-way serial communications for the following select devices:

• iPort(R) digital media system for iPod(R) docking stations
• Escient FireBall(TM) and Vision(TM) media servers
• Russound RNET(R) multiroom audio / video distribution systems
• Lutron RadioRA(R) and HomeWorks lighting systems

"The success of the iPort is its ability to seamlessly integrate the iPod experience throughout the home," says Kim Parker, Director of Product Development for iPort. "While docked in the iPort, the NevoS70 and NevoQ50 control the iPod and display album, song title, and artist information, providing consumers an even greater level of convenience at their fingertips. We are pleased to have the Nevo family of remotes support the iPort FS and IW products."

"Our multiroom entertainment devices have been the preferred building blocks for custom installers for decades," says Charlie Porritt, CEO for Russound. "Nothing completes the experience of multiroom audio like the high end remote control devices which UEI offers in Nevo. Two-way communication through a sleek controller gives families instant access to their media when and how they want it."

The software upgrades were released to Nevo installers for preview in December 2008. The software upgrade is slated to be fully released in the first quarter of 2009.

Come by UEI's exhibit at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and see how the Nevo family of products is making life easier with two-way advanced communication. UEI will be located at Booth 21256 in the South Hall 1.

Learn more about the Nevo family of products at www.mynevo.com.

About Universal Electronics Inc.

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). Visit www.uei.com for more information.

Nevo is a registered trademark of Universal Electronics Inc. All other names are registered 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 Company's 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: Universal Electronics Inc.
Benny Canady, Corporate Marketing Manager
714-820-1000
bcanady@ueic.com

Source: Universal Electronics Inc.