"Short-range" Wireless Solution Will Complete Headset Product Offering;
Fills Void in Market Segment
SAN JOSE, Calif., Sept. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- Hello Direct, Inc.
(Nasdaq: HELO), the leading developer and direct marketer of telephone
productivity tools, further establishes itself as the worldwide leader in
wireless headsets by announcing an exclusive development agreement with Aura
Communications, Inc. Under terms of the agreement, Hello Direct will utilize
an enhanced technology developed by Aura Communications to develop a new
wireless headset product. The product is expected to be developed and offered
by Hello Direct by mid-2000.
The new wireless headset will address the issue of increasing radio
frequency (RF) interference among the growing number of wireless devices in
business environments. This new low power 'magnetic induction' technology is
virtually immune to RF interference and is the first viable wireless solution
for "high density" applications, where many people are using wireless
solutions in close proximity to each other. Development of headset products
using this technology will take approximately 12 months to complete. Hello
Direct will lead the development effort with an integrated team of experts in
industrial design, electrical and manufacturing engineering delivering this
breakthrough wireless product solution. Pricing is not yet set, but is
expected to be very attractive relative to higher-cost corded headset products
available today.
"Our agreement with Aura Communications, along with the other future
wireless product introductions currently planned, continues to strengthen
Hello Direct's position as the worldwide leader in headset innovation," said
Ron Becht, vice president of product marketing for Hello Direct. "With each
offering, we strengthen our commitment to bringing to market headset solutions
that solve real problems in today's office environment."
Innovative Wireless Headset Uses Key Technologies
This new short-range (up to eight feet) wireless headset product will
feature a base station for re-charging, four hours of talk time, and Hello
Direct's patented LearnIt(TM) technology for the fastest, easiest set-up
available for a wireless headset on any business telephone. Hello Direct will
use Aura Communications' 'magnetic induction technology' embedded in the final
product. This technology uses a multiple antennae scheme, allowing many users
in close proximity to each other to use this solution without the worry of
interference or picking up each others phone calls. This wireless solution is
ideal for the cubicle office or call center environment.
"This agreement provides the best opportunity for us to penetrate Hello
Direct's target market with our technology," said Frank Waldman, president of
Aura Communications. "As the acknowledged leader in the wireless headset
market, Hello Direct has the product development expertise and intimate
knowledge of end user needs and wants to make this future product release a
huge success."
The future wireless headset product will round out Hello Direct's
wireless headset offerings. The company is already considered the number-one
resource for cordless headset solutions in North America. Its latest wireless
offering, the Cordless XLT(TM), also features Hello Direct's LearnIt
technology and offers users the utmost in extended range and comfort.
The Cordless XLT has earned numerous industry awards and was recently featured
on the Today Show.
About Hello Direct, Inc.
Hello Direct, Inc. is the leading developer and direct marketer of
telephone productivity tools, including headsets, teleconferencing, wireless
and related desktop products. Through a combination of distinctive catalogs,
outbound telemarketing and Internet sales channels, the company offers a broad
selection of commercial grade products and information that provide solutions
to its customers' evolving communications needs. For more information on Hello
Direct, Inc. and its products, please visit http://www.hellodirect.com .
About Aura Communications
Aura Communications, Inc. is the developer of magnetic induction
technology for short-range wireless communications. Aura's patented
technology enables wireless "hands-free" solutions for desktop or mobile
telephony which are lower in cost, use less power, and are smaller in size
than RF solutions. Aura provides highly integrated ASIC's and reference
designs for sale under license to manufacturers of communication devices. For
more information about Aura's products and services, please visit
http://www.auracomm.com .
Safe Harbor Statement
This release contains forward-looking statements including, but not
limited to, statements regarding continued expansion of Hello Direct's target
markets, its product development capability, the market for wireless headsets,
and the continued execution of the Company's profit-focused growth strategy.
These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ, and such differences could be material. Such
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the following: the
uncertainty of the Company's future operating results, the fact that the
market for telecommunication products is generally characterized by rapidly
changing technology, the Company's need and ability to successfully develop
new products, the Company's dependence on and market acceptance of its current
and newly introduced headset products, the Company's dependence on sole or
limited source suppliers and foreign manufacturing, the highly competitive
market for telecommunications products, the dependence of Internet sales on
the continued growth in electronic commerce, risks associated with managing a
growing business and the Company's dependence on key personnel. Investors
should also review the Company's reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q on file
with the SEC for a discussion of risks and uncertainties.
For more information on Hello Direct, Inc. via fax at no cost,
dial 800-PRO-INFO (908-544-2850 outside the U.S.), ticker symbol: HELO
SOURCE Hello Direct, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.auracomm.com
Related links:
http://http://www.hellodirect.com
CONTACT:
Ron Becht of Hello Direct, Inc.,
408-363-2026, e-mail, ron.becht@hellodirect.com; or Chris Bunszel
of Aura Communications, Inc., 978-988-0088 ext. 114, e-mail,
chrisb@auracomm.com; or Allison Niday of Impact Communications,
831-439-0977, e-mail, allison@impactcommpr.com
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