CSR PLC the wireless specialist and global leader in Bluetooth technology, announced the world's first true plug and play dongle for making wireless voice over IP (VoIP) calls. The CSR Voice Dongle 1 package incorporates all the elements required for manufacturers to produce a low cost plug and play USB dongle for making Skype VoIP calls over a Bluetooth mono headset. The first complete solution of its kind, Voice Dongle 1 will allow CSR customers to create a product which pairs automatically with the user's Bluetooth headset, integrates seamlessly with the computer's Skype software and requires no separate installation software. This benchmark design package is available now to CSR customers worldwide.



The use of free or low cost telephony over Internet protocol (VoIP) has experienced dramatic take-up in recent years due to the fact that calling using VoIP is low cost and convenient. Adding to this the ability to take the call using a Bluetooth headset, without being forced to sit at a computer desk, makes it even more attractive. Unlike other dongles, the Voice Dongle solution from CSR enables consumers to quickly set up wireless VoIP, as it requires no installation software.

Once plugged into the USB port of a PC, the dongle will pair automatically with a discoverable headset and will allow the user to accept or reject, adjust the volume up or down and mute calls using the mono headset.

Karen Parnell, Product Marketing Manager at CSR said, "The CSR Voice Dongle 1 solution enables designers to produce a VoIP Dongle quickly and easily by providing all of the elements needed for the development. This includes a software development environment, fully interoperability-tested application code, hardware reference design and design documentation. This will dramatically reduce the time to market for VoIP Bluetooth Dongles."

The hardware reference design includes everything needed to manufacture a dongle including PCB design files and documentation.

"As the leader in headsets for business users, we understand the importance of delivering innovative products quickly," said Chuck Yort, vice president of Business Solutions at Plantronics. "Partnering with CSR on the Voice Dongle solution enabled Plantronics to rapidly develop a fully interop tested VoIP product that we will bring to market in the very near future."

The market for VoIP has seen dramatic growth recently with the number of Skype downloads sailing past the 236 million mark. The use of a Bluetooth headset for VoIP calls means that users are no longer tied to a PC and can move around without missing a call. This makes Skype even more attractive as the main form of home communication without the costs associated with land lines.

Further information on this latest audio Bluetooth solution can be found at www.csr.com/audio.