New Wireless Gaming Accessory Enables the Fastest Connection to Xbox LIVE and Seamless Streaming of HD Movies, Videos and MusicSANTA CLARA, CA, Dec 07, 2009 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX) -- Atheros Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATHR), a global leader in
innovative technologies for wireless and wired communications, today
announced that Microsoft's new Xbox 360(R) Wireless N Networking
Adapter leverages the high performance of the industry's most widely
adopted 11n technology, Atheros XSPAN(R), to deliver an enhanced
wireless experience. Xbox 360 owners will see improvements in speed,
range and wireless security features enabled by Atheros' XSPAN
2-stream 11n, dual-band PCIe solution, the AR9280. Additionally, Xbox
LIVE members can seamlessly stream HD movies and TV episodes in
instant-on 1080p and 5.1 surround sound with Zune video on Xbox LIVE,
as well as update their Facebook profile, send tweets via Twitter,
download Games on Demand or watch Netflix videos from their
console.(1)
With XSPAN, the Xbox 360 Wireless N Networking Adapter delivers up to
seven times the TCP/IP throughput and twice the range of 11g-enabled
adapters. It also features robust security based on the WPA2(R)
(Wi-Fi Protected Access(R) 2) security protocol to protect your media
content and information. The dual-band AR9280 employs the 5GHz band
to avoid interference, enabling lag-free network gaming in congested
wireless environments such as dense housing or areas with multiple
wireless networks. It utilizes the 2.4GHz band for simple data
applications such as email, web surfing and social media networking.
With the AR9280's 11n speeds, Xbox gamers can enjoy simultaneous
applications that enhance the gaming experience such as streaming
live video from a webcam to personalize game play, supporting voice
for multi-player chat and streaming music from Last.fm -- featuring
the world's largest online music catalog.
"The gaming console is adding advanced media hub capabilities for
delivering on-demand movies, video, and music, as well as connecting
users to their favorite social media sites," said Ben Naskar, vice
president and general manager of Atheros' networking business unit.
"XSPAN delivers the performance to meet the growing user demand for
content and applications accessed through the Xbox LIVE community --
wirelessly. We are pleased to be working with Microsoft to enable a
superior gaming and entertainment experience in the home."
Atheros XSPAN AR9280
The Atheros XSPAN AR9280 11n, dual-band (2.4/5GHz) 2-stream solution
integrates the radio, baseband/MAC and host PCIe interface into a
single chip. The AR9280 provides full 11n MIMO performance, supporting
up to 300Mbps data rates, and leverages several power-saving
protocols, algorithms and circuit design techniques such as Dynamic
MIMO Power Save (DMPS), Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery
(UAPSD) and Atheros Wake-on-Wireless(R). Additionally, the AR9280
supports the industry's most robust wireless security protocol --
WPA2 -- along with other industry standards such as WMM(R) (Wi-Fi
Multimedia(TM)) and Wi-Fi Protected Setup(TM).
About Atheros Communications, Inc.
Atheros Communications is a global leader in innovative technologies
for wireless and wired communications. Atheros combines its wireless
and networking systems expertise with high-performance radio frequency
(RF), mixed signal and digital semiconductor design skills to provide
highly integrated chipsets that are manufactured on low-cost, standard
complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) processes. Atheros
technology is used by a broad base of leading customers, including
personal computer, networking equipment and consumer device
manufacturers. For more information, please visit
http://www.atheros.com or send an email to info@atheros.com.
Atheros, the Atheros logo, XSPAN and Wake-on-Wireless are trademarks
of Atheros Communications, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned in this
document are the sole property of their respective owners.
NOTE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters
set forth in this press release, including the features, benefits and
performance of Atheros' XSPAN products and Microsoft's Xbox 360, are
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially, including, but not limited to,
difficulties in the development of new and enhanced products, general
economic conditions, the effects of competition and technological
change, and the risks detailed in Atheros' Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2008 and its Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, as filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other reports filed with
the SEC by Atheros from time to time. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date hereof. Atheros disclaims any
obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
(1) Ability to receive instant-on 1080p with 5.1 surround sound
streaming content on Xbox 360 will vary by international market and
will require an HDMI cable, HDCP-compliant 1080p display and 3Mbps
broadband speed.
Editorial Contacts:
Susan Lansing
Atheros Communications
408-773-5216
susan.lansing@atheros.com
Greg Wood
A&R Edelman for Atheros
650-762-2838
gwood@ar-edelman.com
Investor Contact:
David Allen
Atheros Communications
408-830-5762
david.allen@atheros.com
SOURCE: Atheros
mailto:susan.lansing@atheros.com
mailto:gwood@ar-edelman.com
mailto:david.allen@atheros.com
