Plantronics Calisto 800 speakerphone and Voyager Pro UC headset make concalls cool again
We'd all rather be flown to some exotic, Caribbean location for our next corporate get-together, but in these hard economic times sometimes a good 'ol audio bridge makes the most sense. Increasingly those concalls are happening via some sort of VOIP bridge, and Plantronics' latest are ready for it. First up is the Calisto 800 series "multi speakerphone" devices, which offer connectivity to an analog phone line, a mobile phone over Bluetooth, and even a PC over USB. This lets you easily dial in to just about anything and naturally offers a full duplex speakerphone with noise cancellation and an LCD with caller ID. There's even an optional wireless microphone that you can plunk down on the table so the lamentations of the entire QA team will be picked up loud and clear.
Also new is a revised version of the Voyager Pro UC, a rather more traditional Bluetooth headset with an extended boom for better voice pickup and the ability to pair to a mobile phone and a PC (via a tiny USB adapter) simultaneously. It'll even do A2DP so you hold music won't be the only tunes you hear. Both appear to be available now, and both start at $199.95, putting them out of reach for most non-corporate attendees.
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Plantronics Launches the Calisto 800 Series of Multi-device Speakerphones to Simplify Communication for Today's Increasingly Distributed Workforce
New Speakerphones Intelligently Streamline Audio Communication across PC-Based Softphones, Mobile Phones, and even Home Landlines in a Single, Smart Hands-free Solution.
SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Jan. 26, 2011 - Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today announced the Calisto® 800 Series, the first speakerphones in its unified communications product portfolio that combine multi-device hands-free connectivity with intuitive visual call management. Optimized for use with Microsoft® Office Communicator and LyncTM, these products were designed for private and home office workers who depend on multiple communication devices to collaborate effectively. The Calisto 800 Series includes the Calisto 825, which manages calls between a PC and a mobile phone. The Calisto 825 also features a unique wireless microphone that provides unparalleled speakerphone audio quality and freedom of movement.
The Calisto 825 simplifies PC and mobile phone call management through its intuitive visual display. Device setup is effortless and fast - in less than five minutes users are up and running and able to switch between mobile and PC calls, dial, and mute across devices at the touch of a button. Professionals are afforded the choice to move around freely while on a conference call using the wireless lapel microphone or connect a Bluetooth® or corded headset to the speakerphone when privacy is desired. Additionally, the unit features unmatched audio quality and premium sound through echo and advanced noise cancellation technology.
"Extensive research exploring the collaboration habits of today's dispersed workforce went into the development of the Calisto 800 series," said Bill Loewenthal, vice president of unified communications at Plantronics. "Today's office has moved beyond the cubicle environment. Whether work is conducted from a private or a home office, people want devices that simplify hands-free communication. The Calisto 800 Series simply unites modern professionals' most critical communication platforms."
Simply Smarter CommunicationsTM
Calisto 800 Series
The Calisto 800 series of unified communications products provide premium sound and unparalleled audio quality thanks to full duplex wideband audio and advanced noise cancellation. In addition to the Calisto 825, the portfolio includes the Calisto 820 and the Calisto 830. The Calisto 800 series also offers a range of hands-free options including wireless connectivity with Bluetooth headsets or corded connectivity with 3.5mm headsets/headphones when privacy is desired.
Pricing and Availability
The Calisto 825 is a two-way speakerphone for the PC and mobile phone. It includes the PA50TM wireless lapel microphone, and charging base. It has an MSRP of $259.95.
The Calisto 820 is a two-way speakerphone for the PC and mobile phone. It has an MSRP of $179.95.
The Calisto 830 is a three-way speakerphone for PC, mobile phone and analog landlines. It includes a USB cable, analog/landline port, RJ11 cable and AC adapter and has an MSRP of $199.95.
The PA50 is a wireless Bluetooth lapel microphone and can be purchased for either the Calisto 820 or 830 as an accessory. It comes with a charging base and has an MSRP of $79.95.
The Calisto 800 Series is Optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator and Lync and is available through authorized Plantronics resellers and at www.plantronics.com/calisto UC standard versions of the Calisto 825, 820 and 830 that will support a variety of leading softphones including those from Avaya®, Cisco®, IBM® and Skype® will be available in Spring of 2011.
Please visit www.plantronics.com/calisto to learn more.
Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements relating to Unified Communications ("UC") and our Calisto 800 series products, including timing of product availability. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated are: (i) UC solutions may not be adopted with the breadth and speed in the marketplace that we currently anticipate; (ii) manufacturing or other production delays (iii) our plans are dependent upon adoption of our UC solution by major platform providers such as Microsoft, Cisco, Avaya, Alcatel, and IBM, and we have a limited ability to influence such providers with respect to the functionality of their platforms, their rate of deployment, and their willingness to integrate their platforms with our solutions. For more information concerning these and other possible risks, please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2010, quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q, particularly the sections entitled "Risk Factors," "Certain Forward-Looking Information" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as recent press releases. Plantronics undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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Plantronics Unveils Award-Winning Next Generation Voyager PRO UC Headset
The First and Only Intelligent Headset System to Combine Smart Sensors with Exceptional Audio Technology and Enable Intuitive Communication across Devices
SANTA CRUZ, CA - January 26, 2010 - Plantronics, Inc. (NYSE: PLT) today extended its 50-year legacy of developing breakthrough communication innovations with the introduction of the next generation award-winning VoyagerTM PRO UC Bluetooth® headset. Voyager PRO UC revolutionizes mobile phone and PC communications through smart sensor technology. It uses advanced hardware and software that seamlessly eliminate communication complexity by detecting presence, integrating with your PC applications, and dramatically enhancing the headset experience.
"Unified communications is bringing together different communications modalities and devices. We will move between our PCs, mobile phones, and deskphones seamlessly," said Bob Hafner, managing vice president of Mobile and Client Computing, Gartner. "Just as the introduction of email revolutionized enterprise communication 40 years ago, unified communications is revolutionizing communications and collaboration today and unifying the PC, mobile phone, and deskphone. Today, no one would be expected to work for a company without email and seven to ten years from now business professionals won't want to work for a company without unified communications."
Simply Smarter CommunicationsTM
Sensors
Plantronics' smart sensor technology in the Voyager PRO UC headset transforms the end-user experience for mobile phone and PC communications.
Auto Answer: Easily answer mobile phone and PC calls simply by placing the headset on your ear - no buttons to press, applications to open or voice commands required.
Smart Call Transfer: With the smart sensor technology, the headset now knows when it is being worn and routes the call appropriately: when a call comes in and the headset is not easy to access, the audio is automatically routed to the phone so there is no fumbling with the phone and missing calls. Calls are automatically transferred to the headset when it is put on.
Auto Call Button Lock: The Voyager PRO UC eliminates accidental dialing by locking the call button when the headset is not being worn.
Auto Pause for Streaming Media: The Voyager PRO UC supports listening to streaming media, including music, podcasts and turn-by-turn navigation, as well as recorded webinars via A2DP technology. The smart sensor technology automatically pauses streamed media from mobile phones and PCs when the headset is taken off and automatically resumes the stream when the headset is put back on.
Simply Smarter CommunicationsTM
Software
Plantronics has developed intelligent software that further integrates the mobile and PC communications experience through the new Voyager PRO UC. The software is customizable, so users can easily set personal preferences for their PC-based communications.
Smart Presence: Voyager PRO UC brings a new level of intelligence across PC and mobile phone communications by integrating with PC softphone clients. For example, when you're on a mobile phone conversation, Voyager PRO UC automatically informs applications such as Skype® or Microsoft® LyncTM, you are busy and changes your presence status to busy, so contacts know to not interrupt you. Similarly, if you are on a Skype call, Voyager PRO UC updates your status on Microsoft Lync.
Escalate IM to Voice: Voyager PRO UC enables you to effortlessly switch from an instant message chat to a voice conversation by simply placing the headset on your ear.
"For years, mobile calling and computer-based communication services like Skype or Microsoft Lync have existed in silos," said Renee Niemi, senior vice president of Communications Solutions at Plantronics. "The Plantronics Voyager Pro UC unifies and simplifies communications for today's connected and increasingly distributed workforce by enabling accurate availability information and delivering intuitive features like smart call transfer. For 50 years, Plantronics has revolutionized the way we communicate and today's announcement represents our longstanding commitment to innovation and making smarter communications a reality."
The Plantronics Voyager PRO UC includes a new ultra-portable mini-USB Bluetooth® adaptor which provides wideband audio for PC conversations and software that enables interaction between the PC and the mobile phone.
Industry Leading Audio Quality
The Plantronics Voyager PRO UC headset delivers world-class noise-cancellation with AudioIQ2 technology, its award-winning digital signal processing technology is enhanced by a unique adjustable dual-microphone boom. Plantronics Voyager PRO features three layers of WindSmart® technology to minimize wind distortion.
Voyager PRO also delivers unmatched inbound audio quality to ensure every word is heard on both sides of a conversation. It features a custom speaker that delivers full-spectrum audio so conversations are richer and more vibrant. The adaptive 20-band equalizer delivers distortion-free audio and works with AudioIQ2 technology to automatically adjust sound to comfortable levels based on the noise level around you to ensure maximum audibility.
Voyager PRO UC delivers wideband audio during PC-based conversations for heightened speech clarity for fuller, richer conversations.
Broad Compatibility
Plantronics Voyager PRO UC offers compatibility with leading communication clients from Avaya®, Cisco®, IBM® and Skype® and is available in a version Optimized for Microsoft Lync and Office Communicator.
Pricing and Availability
The Plantronics Voyager PRO UC, including the new mini-USB Bluetooth adapter for maximum portability and software that enables interaction between the PC and mobile phone has an MSRP of $199.95 and is available in the US starting today and in Europe and Asia in February 2011.
Please visit www.plantronics.com/voyagerprouc to learn more.
Safe Harbor
This release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements relating to Unified Communications ("UC") and our Voyager Pro UC products, including timing of product availability. Forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated are: (i) UC solutions may not be adopted with the breadth and speed in the marketplace that we currently anticipate; (ii) manufacturing or other production delays and (iii) our plans are dependent upon adoption of our UC solution by major platform providers such as Microsoft, Cisco, Avaya, Alcatel, and IBM, and we have a limited ability to influence such providers with respect to the functionality of their platforms, their rate of deployment, and their willingness to integrate their platforms with our solutions. For more information concerning these and other possible risks, please refer to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2010, quarterly reports filed on Form 10-Q, particularly the sections entitled "Risk Factors," "Certain Forward-Looking Information" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission as well as recent press releases. Plantronics undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, events or circumstances after the date they were made, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
