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Melville, NY, February 25, 2002 -- Andrea Electronics Corporation
(AMEX: AND), a leading manufacturer of hardware and software technologies
that optimize the performance of speech-enabled applications and
other voice user interfaces, announced today that it has signed
an exclusive agreement with Analog Devices, Inc. for the license
of Andrea Electronics' PureAudio® digital noise canceling algorithm
for use with Analog Devices' SoundMAX® integrated audio PC product
offerings. This announcement marks disclosure of the leading semiconductor
company which was referred to in Andrea Electronics' press release
issued on December 20, 2001.
Analog Devices
is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance
semiconductors for signal processing applications such as PC audio
systems. This leading worldwide provider of AC'97 CODEC chips to
the industry's top PC OEMs, today unveiled SoundMAX Cadenza, the
latest offering in the SoundMAX line of integrated audio products.
SoundMAX is a powerful combination of Analog Devices' reliable AC'97
CODEC series chips and innovative software that enables PC OEMs
to provide features that surpass the functionality of premium soundcards
at a fraction of the cost. While SoundMAX has previously offered
leading-edge audio output technologies, SoundMAX Cadenza, powered
by state-of-the-art noise cancellation technologies developed by
Andrea Electronics, now provides features that deliver significantly
enhanced audio input for speech-enabled applications such as Microsoft
Office XP, Net Meeting and Net Messenger.
Analog Devices
and Andrea Electronics are currently demonstrating, in booth #511
at the Intel Developer's Forum taking place February 25 - 28 in
San Francisco's Moscone Center, products and solutions that will
be available to PC OEMs later this year.
"The integration
of PureAudio into SoundMAX Cadenza represents a radical advance
in price/performance for speech-enabled Windows applications ,"
said John Croteau, Director of Computer Products and Services for
Analog Devices. "Without a clean audio signal, voice applications
simply don't work effectively, thereby stagnating the market for
speech-based productivity and connectivity enhancements. Given Microsoft's
recent integration of voice into its Windows XP line of software,
this low-cost, voice-enhancing solution couldn't be more timely."
Andrea's PureAudio
software algorithm is an effective tool to eliminate consistent
background noises commonly encountered in most home and office environments
such as fans and electrical interference caused by a computer's
internal circuitry. In addition to this base level solution, SoundMAX
Cadenza offers Andrea's most advanced digital array technologies
at price points 75% less than leading USB headsets. This solution
enables the use of voice applications in even harsh noise environments,
while eliminating the need to wear a headset.
"Andrea
Electronics is excited about the integration of PureAudio into the
SoundMAX line, a brand recognized by PC OEMs as a world class solution
and an excellent value," said Christopher P. Sauvigne, President
and Chief Executive Officer of Andrea Electronics. "Our patented
digital audio input software technology, combined with the SoundMAX
hardware platform, provides PC users with a microphone array that
delivers voice intelligibility and a reduction in speech recognition
error rates of up to 35%. Our demonstrations of this product offering
to leading PC OEMs around the world have been received very favorably
and we look forward to bringing this product to the market as part
of the Analog Devices' SoundMAX line later this year."
About Andrea
Electronics
Andrea Electronics Corporation designs, develops and manufactures
audio technologies and equipment for enhancing applications that
require high performance and high quality voice input. The Company's
patented Digital Super Directional Array (DSDA®), patented PureAudio®,
patented EchoStop and patent-pending Directional Finding and
Tracking Array (DFTA) far-field microphone technologies enhance
a wide range of audio products to eliminate background noise and
ensure the optimum performance of voice applications. Applications
for the Company's technologies include: speech recognition programs,
Internet telephony, video/audio conferencing, automobile PCs, home
automation systems, hand-held devices and multiplayer online games,
among others. Visit Andrea Electronics' websites at www.AndreaElectronics.com
or call 1-800-707-5779.
SoundMAX is
a registered trademark of Analog Devices, Inc.
This press release
may contain ``forward-looking statements'' within the meaning of
the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words
``anticipates,'' ``believes,'' ``estimates,'' ``expects,'' ``intends,''
``plans,'' ``seeks,'' variations of such words, and similar expressions
are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements
are not guarantees of future performance and involve matters that
are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that
are difficult to predict, including economic, competitive, governmental,
technological and other factors, that may affect the business and
prospects of Andrea Electronics Corporation (the ``Company''). These
and other similar factors are discussed under the heading ``Cautionary
Statement Regarding Forward-looking statements'' included in the
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
and Annual Report not filed with the SEC, and in documents subsequently
filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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