CSR Adds Text-to-Speech to Its BlueCore5-Multimedia Platform

CAMBRIDGE, England - CSR plc (LSE:CSR - News) expanded the capabilities of its BlueCore5-Multimedia platform with the addition of NowSpeak Technologies to CSR's eXtension Partner Programme. NowSpeak's Mobile TTS software for BlueCore has been developed to run on CSR's Kalimba DSP, providing text-to-speech capabilities for Bluetooth headsets and in-car handsfree systems using CSR's BlueCore5-Multimedia silicon.

When a call is received on the user's mobile phone, the name or phone number of the incoming caller is announced over the headset or car kit, allowing the user to decide whether or not they wish to accept the call. The TTS software synthesizes speech from the incoming text. Also, Mobile TTS technology offers voice prompts indicating the status of the Bluetooth device and instructions to improve usability.

BlueCore5-Multimedia is a single-chip Bluetooth platform with a 64 MIPS DSP and on-chip memory to support a host of third-party software for enhanced audio capability and expanded functionality to add increased value to mobile handsets, headsets, and automotive handsfree systems.

The DSP-based platform also supports future software enhancements. Currently NowSpeak Mobile TTS for BlueCore offers caller ID, device status updates and an audio pairing guide in multiple languages including major European, North and South American, and Mandarin. NowSpeak expects to add support for additional languages, SMS and email reading as well as speech recognition for name dialing and music control and selection.