Friday November 20, 2009

Able Planet Wins Five 2010 International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards

With 5 awards going to Linx^® Microphones and True Fidelity^® Gaming Headphones, Able Planet has now won 22 CES awards in five years

Able Planet, founded on the principle of hearing preservation and a leading provider of award-winning audio and communication devices, today announced that it won five Honoree Awards from the Innovations Design and Engineering Awards program at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Linx^® Microphones (LM1000) won an award in four categories including Audio Accessories, Computer Peripherals, Wireless Handsets Accessories, and Health and Wellness products. True Fidelity^® Foldable Active Noise Cancelling Gaming Headphones XG300 won in the Electronic Gaming category. Products entered in this prestigious program are judged by a preeminent panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and members of the trade press to honor outstanding design and engineering in cutting edge consumer electronics.

“Barriers are part of everyone’s life,” commented Kevin Semcken, Chairman & CEO, “but when they restrict our ability to participate in an active lifestyle, innovative technologies are required to get us back in the game. Current consumer technologies are unable to address challenges relating to hearing loss, difficult listening environments, and hard to hear sounds and speech, forcing listeners to turn it up to potentially damaging levels. Able Planet technologies create a “live” experience with full rich sound and clear speech that can be used by people with All Levels of Hearing and is enjoyed at lower volumes enabling listeners to “Turn it Down” to help preserve hearing. At Able Planet, every employee believes “i am able” to change the world and we are. We are extremely honored to be recognized by the Consumer Electronics Association.”

About Linx Microphones (LM1000)

Linx^® Microphones enhance speech intelligibility through Harmonic Enrichment^® and advanced noise management technologies, while preserving delicate hearing organs. Based on patented LINX AUDIO^® technologies, a new approach to signal management has been developed for a line of state-of-the-art microphones. These microphones vary from detachable designs that convert most Able Planet headphones into communication devices to patent pending deep canal microphones that transmit voice from inside the ear canal to another’s cell phone, walkee talkee, or back into another person’s head! The uses for Linx^® Microphones are vast, as the value of clear speech ranges from life enhancing to life changing to life saving.

About True Fidelity Foldable Active Noise Cancelling Gaming Headphones (XG300)

True Fidelity Foldable Gaming Headphones combine state-of-the-art noise cancellation, style and comfort with patented Linx Audio^® for optimum sound quality and clarity, and patented Linx^® Microphones for unsurpassed speech intelligibility. Noise canceling technology minimizes unwanted sounds and background noise, while Linx Audio creates a “live” experience with full rich sound and clear speech. The headphones are compact, lightweight and comfortable for use with computers, TV, MP3 or iPod players, airplane audio systems and other popular consumer electronics, as well as with assistive listening devices. And, the detachable microphone is compatible with cellular phones, telephones, VoIP applications and wireless gaming handsets.

About CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Program

The prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976. It is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)^®, the producer of the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow. The awards program is also endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America (IDSA), the voice of industrial design, committed to advancing the profession through education, information, community and advocacy.

Able Planet’s award winning Linx Microphone (LM1000) and True Fidelity Gaming Headphones (XG300) will both be featured at the 2010 International CES, which runs January 7-10, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase will feature award winners by product category in the Grand Lobby of the Las Vegas Convention Center and they will also be featured at CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES on Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

About Able Planet

API designs and manufacturers audio and communication devices for people with normal hearing to those with severe loss; For All Levels of Hearing^®. The company’s products include headphones, headsets, and assistive listening devices with proprietary technologies that enhance sound quality and speech clarity. The company has won over 26 awards in the past five years, including 22 International Consumer Electronics Show awards for innovation and design. The company’s products are marketed worldwide through Able Planet, resellers, audiology networks, non-profit foundations and strategic partners. The privately held company is headquartered in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. For more information, visit www.ableplanet.com