Qualcomm’s NXP Acquisition and Impact for the Audio Industry

With rumors already circulating for some time, on October 27, 2016, Qualcomm announced a definitive agreement, unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies, under which Qualcomm will acquire NXP Semiconductors. With the acquisition, Qualcomm gets access to a vast portfolio of solutions from the Dutch giant, which was once Philips Semiconductors and remains until now a leading supplier of key technologies for mobile devices and wireless and wired audio applications.

StreamUnlimited announced its new Stream805 module, developed in collaboration with Broadcom and Wistron, combining StreamSDK software and Google Cast to create faster turnaround time for audio manufacturers. StreamUnlimited also introduced the new Stream810 module, developed in collaboration with NXP Semiconductors as a high-end streaming device for flagship audio products, including low power portable units. This module is designed to meet THX performance standards.

NXP Semiconductors recently introduced a new smart sensing amplifier, TFA9911, featuring a high efficiency class-D audio amplifier, sophisticated speaker boost and protection, and combining speaker sensing and processing algorithms to optimize recording and calling experiences. The device transforms speaker into a microphone and features vibration detection, which enables development of new “tap” activating use cases for smartphones.

Never worry about tangled up earbud wires again, says NXP Semiconductors at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona (March 2-5). The Dutch semiconductor giant is demonstrating Near Field Magnetic Induction (NFMI) technology in a truly wireless earbud including wireless audio streaming from ear to ear, using its new NxH2280 NFMI based radio transceiver.

The AVnu Alliance Membership is growing and leading to more AVB products in the AVnu certification pipeline. Eight new companies from different parts of the world and industries have now joined its membership roster including Coveloz, Imagination Technologies, NXP Semiconductors, intoPIX, Ixia, MIPRO, Xavtel and Pivitec.