SALT LAKE CITY, March 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ClearOne (Nasdaq: CLRO), a leading provider of high performance audio conferencing solutions and a Certified Partner in the Microsoft Partner Program, announced today that it has begun first customer shipments of the CHAT 170, the company's first speakerphone optimized for Microsoft Office Communicator 2007. The CHAT 170 is a USB speakerphone that brings high performance audio capabilities to users of Microsoft unified communications platform.

The CHAT 170 was specifically developed by ClearOne to fill the need for a hands-free speakerphone that could be used by small groups or individuals using Microsoft unified communications platform, Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007. The device easily connects via USB to PCs or laptops and delivers true plug-and-play operation, requiring no software or drivers to be installed.

The CHAT 170 replaces the speakers and microphone of the PC or laptop with a high-quality, hands-free solution, perfect for crystal-clear audio conferencing for small groups. This allows users a much better audio option for voice and video calls, allowing them the freedom to communicate without being tethered to the computer by a headset cable.

The CHAT 170 contains ClearOne's HDConference^™ suite of advanced audio processing technologies. Originally developed for professional conferencing systems, HDConference produces crystal-clear audio through technologies such as Distributed Echo Cancellation^™, noise cancellation, full-duplex audio, first microphone priority, adaptive modeling, and others.

"We are pleased to introduce yet another ClearOne product that works with Microsoft unified communications solutions, along with the MAX IP Response Point which was released last year," said Mark Child, Director of Product Marketing - Telephony, at ClearOne. "As audio and video communications continue to migrate to the PC platform, hands-free audio endpoints from ClearOne are becoming an essential element in that working environment. The combination of the CHAT 170 with Microsoft Office Communicator 2007 gives users a powerful collaboration tool making communication much more natural, personal and effective and helping organizations increase productivity while reducing costs."

About ClearOne

ClearOne Communications Inc. is a communications solutions company that develops and sells audio conferencing systems and related products for audio, video and web conferencing applications. The reliability, flexibility and performance of ClearOne's comprehensive solutions create a natural communications environment that saves organizations time and money by enabling more effective and efficient communication. For additional information, access www.clearone.com.

    ClearOne Contact:
    Mark Child
    801-303-3446
    mark.child@clearone.com

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SOURCE ClearOne Communications Inc.