Nokia Licenses CSR aptX Audio Codec

Nokia may be best known for its mobile devices, but it has a full line of consumer electronics as well, one that may become greater and better now that a new licensing deal has been signed.

Those that like to spend time browning before buying a new consumer electronic will probably know of the multimedia products Nokia deals in.

It so happens that Nokia decided it was time for its products' audio capabilities to go up a notch, at least for those items that are yet to come.

The means it chose of accomplishing this was signing a deal with CSR, through which this company's aptX audio compression technology for Bluetooth will be made part of Nokia's available resources for several years.

Standard Bluetooth technology does offer stereo streaming from handsets and other audio devices to speakers and headphones, but aptX enables a wider bandwidth and, thus, a better quality.

"By incorporating CSR aptX technology into our audio products, we are enabling the audio experience to be nothing less than inspirational," said Hans Henrik Lund, global head for Nokia Accessories at Nokia.

"CSR is solving the Bluetooth audio dilemma with solutions that allow us to take audio accessories in a new direction and we are excited by the potential of our partnership."

All in all, Nokia-s future products should be able to wirelessly stream CD-quality audio over Bluetooth, bringing things one step closer to what audio entertainment systems can render.

"We welcome Nokia to the growing family of Tier One aptX technology adopters who have recognized the exciting possibilities our Bluetooth audio solutions offer to deliver CD-quality stereo audio wirelessly and provide consumers with the most compelling audio experience," said Anthony Murray, senior vice president of CSR's Audio and Consumer Business Unit.

"Because of its rapid adoption by Nokia and others, aptX technology has already established itself as the benchmark for wireless stereo audio quality for consumer electronics products, and will continue to find new applications as consumers demand the best from their handsets and other mobile devices."