With this update, audio brands can easily add Spotify Connect to existing products through firmware upgrades and new designs based on all of Microchip’s CX870 Wi-Fi modules and DM860 Ethernet processor. To speed product and firmware availability to consumers, Microchip’s APT Lab is the first to offer pre-certification services to Microchip customers using Spotify Connect.
Microchip’s JukeBlox technology connects tablets, smartphones, PCs, Macs, and other consumer electronics products to networked audio entertainment systems with the industry’s only system-on-a-chip (SoC) and Software Design Kit (SDK) for consumers to gain access to their local or cloud-based music library from any device and from any room in the home.
Offering integrated Wi-Fi support, the JukeBlox software platform enables music streaming to virtually all home audio equipment including home theater systems, AV receivers, radios, wireless speakers and portable music player docking stations. Some of the biggest brands in consumer electronics, including Denon, Pioneer, Harman-Kardon, Nokia, and Philips, are using JukeBlox technology in their products.
JukeBlox technology also integrates a broad range of functionality including Internet radio with premium services such as Pandora, Last.fm, Rhapsody, Napster and Sirius, and wired or wireless streaming of digital music via multiple standards. It provides USB functionality, a broad suite of codecs, protocols and DRM standards, and traditional home audio functionality such as AM/FM radio and clock/alarm functionality.
Spotify Connect does not require the mobile device to continuously stream content to a wireless speaker or AV receiver. The key benefit of Spotify Connect is that once a track has been selected, the audio stream is delivered directly from Spotify’s servers to the wireless speaker using the local network. This frees the mobile device for use during music playback which greatly reduces battery depletion and allows the mobile device to move anywhere in the network without interrupting music playback. Audio devices powered by Microchip’s JukeBlox platform, such as wireless speakers, AV receivers, Internet radios, home theater systems, wireless speakers, and portable music player docking stations will be part of the Spotify Connect experience.
Spotify Connect digital music service provides on-demand access to more than 20 million tracks. Spotify Premium users can control and play their music through their phone, tablet and audio devices simply and effortlessly, at the touch of a button. Spotify Connect is available in 28 markets including US, UK, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, The Netherlands, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Luxembourg, Italy, Portugal, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, and Mexico with more than 24 million active users, and more than 6 million paying subscribers.
“We are very pleased to be working with Spotify and adding a leading music streaming service,” said Sumit Mitra, vice president of Microchip’s Wireless Products Group. “Microchip’s latest JukeBlox platform release allows audio brands to add Spotify Connect into previously sold audio products with just a firmware upgrade or to new designs based on the DM8XX family of Wi-Fi and Ethernet processors.”
“Spotify is committed to delivering the industry’s best home listening experience with Spotify Connect. Partnering with Microchip, one of the leading providers in the industry, allows us to grow our base of partners even further,” said Sten Garmark, vice president of Spotify’s Platforms. “We’re especially pleased to be able to deliver Connect to devices that are already in consumers’ homes using firmware upgrades.”
Spotify Connect is available via a free download from http://www.microchip.com/get/NBWE. Spotify offers a 30-day free trial period and thereafter there is a $9.99 monthly fee for Premium Service.
www.microchip.com
