Design win for Zound Industries 'Urban Ears'

Frontier Smart Technologies Group Ltd

('Frontier' or the 'Group')

Smart Audio technology design win

for Zound Industries' 'Urbanears' speakers

Frontier (AIM: FST), a pioneer in technologies for Digital Radio and Smart Audio devices, announces that its Minuet platform has been chosen by Scandinavian audio leader, Zound Industries International AB ("Zound Industries") to power its new range of Urbanears-branded Connected Audio speakers incorporating Google's "Chromecast built-in" platform. 

Stockholm-based Zound Industries, best known for its Urbanears headphones and headphone accessories, has released a line of Connected Speakers based on Frontier's Minuet solution. The first two products in this line are the Stammen and Baggen which are now on sale in North America and Europe.  The user experience, designed in close collaboration between Zound Industries and Frontier, is based on a top panel that gives instant access to cloud sources, and has seven pre-sets for local playback as well as multi-room functionality. Further information can be found here: https://www.urbanears.com/ue_gb_en/speakers/?flushcart=true

Chromecast built-in is a new audio technology for global markets, which enables smart speakers to stream music via Wi-Fi from over 150 online music services, such as Spotify, Deezer, Tidal, Pandora and iHeartRadio. Frontier is one of a very small number of solution providers working with Google on this technology. 

Frontier's Minuet platform provides a complete toolkit for third-party brands and manufacturers to develop Smart Audio devices with Chromecast built-in, both quickly and cost-effectively. Minuet also offers Airplay, Spotify Connect and Bluetooth access. Furthermore, Frontier recently updated software so that all Minuet-based speakers now work with the Google Assistant, which means they can be controlled using voice via a Google Home device or smartphones running newer versions of Android. Frontier also developed the 'Urbanears Connected' mobile apps on iOS and Android through which consumers can access the enhanced control and features of their speakers.

Anthony Sethill, CEO of Frontier, said:

"Frontier and Urbanears have worked closely together to develop Smart Audio speakers which combine class-leading functionality and the highest standards of design - with a strong focus on simplicity and usability. We are delighted that Minuet's state-of-the-art technology is at the core of this product. We look forward to working with other third-party brands to facilitate Google Chromecast integration and interaction with Voice Personal Assistant technologies like the Google Home."

Oscar Axhede, co-Founder and Creative Director at Urbanears, said:

"We wanted to create a listening experience to bring the best of sound and connectivity into people's homes, without listeners having to figure out how to make the technology work. Our technology partnership with Frontier has allowed us to achieve this goal and seamlessly interlink with the smart home."

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About Frontier Smart Technologies Group Ltd

Frontier is a pioneer in software and hardware technologies for Digital Audio devices. The Group has one operating division, Frontier Silicon, which provides solutions for Digital Radio and Smart Audio devices.

Frontier was founded in 2002. Customers include many leading consumer audio brands: Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Grundig, harman/kardon (JBL), Onkyo, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Pure, Roberts, Sony, TechniSat, Yamaha, and many more.

The Group is headquartered in London, with engineering, sales and operations teams in Cambridge, Timisoara (Romania), Hong Kong, and Shenzhen. Please visit http://www.frontiersmart.com/

About Urbanears

Urbanears is at the forefront of human-centred design and innovation. Founded in Stockholm in 2008, the company has grown to see their headphones used by consumers all over the world. Today Urbanears can still be found in their hometown of Stockholm and continues to produce its famous headphones, but they have also now developed a wide range of high-tech electronic hardware products which are sold internationally by top tier high street and online retailers