Livio Radio In New Licensing Deal
FERNDALE -- Livio Radio Wednesday announced a licensing deal with Traverse City-based Hybra Advance Technology Inc. to add Livio Connect to its soon-to-be-launched Sound Band, a wireless headset.
Sound Band's surface-excitation technology allows the headset's earpieces to be placed behind the ear, rather than inside or covering the ear as earbuds and conventional headphones are used. That means users can hear both the music -- and their surroundings.
Livio Connect enables hardware to connect to and interact with multiple mobile phone applications on different mobile phone operating systems. On the heels of Livio's announcement of the Kit car audio kit, Sound Band will use the same technology to get apps wirelessly connected to and played through the hardware.
"Using the innovative and feature-rich Sound Band wireless headsets with Livio Radio is a win-win for consumers and both companies," said Hybra Technology co-founder and CFO Ryan Wells.
Added Jake Sigal, Livio founder and CEO: "Hybra Advance Technology makes innovative solutions for audio. It's cool to have our technology inside. Safety is a big concern for me while mountain biking and I'm looking forward to using sound band to listen to the Livio app while being able to hear oncoming traffic."
Consumers and potential distribution partners may learn more about Sound Band and register to receive product updates and other news at www.hybratech.com/products/soundband/. Hybra Advance Technology also has offices in Warren.
Sigal founded Livio after inventing the Ion turntable to turn vinyl into .mp3 files. The company's first products were no-hassle Internet table radios that used Wi-Fi to bring thousands of audio streams to a high quality radio without the need of a computer.
More recently, Livio has concentrated on bringing streaming Internet radio to the car, using smartphones for Internet access.
Sigal said he liked the Smart Band project because it represents "two Michigan-based consumer electronics technology companies working together," when most of the world doesn't think Michigan has a consumer electronics industry.
Sigal said initial sales of the Kit for car Internet audio are going well, with several major retailers to be offering the Kit for the holiday season. "It lets you charge your phones and gives you hands-free calling with voice dialing, plus streaming audio and your favorite recorded music," Sigal said.
Coming soon will be a Google Droid operating system version of the Kit, to go with the Apple iOS version.
Sigal said Livio will be back at the International Consumer Electronics Show in January in what has become its customary location -- a prominent booth near the doorway of the Las Vegas Convention Center's North Hall, which houses CES' automotive technology exhibits.
More at www.livioradio.com.
