QUALCOMM’s “PureVoice” Aims for High-Quality Audio

QUALCOMM Inc. introduced today at
MacWorld Internet audio compression technology that optimizes Apple’s
QuickTime technology.

QUALCOMM’s PureVoice audio technology utilizes specialized compression that
enables the transmission of audio files with sound comparable to that heard
over standard telephones.

The technology can reduce file size and transmission time by a factor of 10
or more, according to QUALCOMM, which in effect reduces a 1M byte audio
file that takes about 7 minutes to broadcast using a 28.8kbps modem to a 90
kbyte file that takes less than 45 seconds to deliver.

Apple will offer PureVoice technology as a system extension to QuickTime
3.0, scheduled for release early next year, for use on Windows 95, Windows
NT, and Mac OS platforms.

“The combination of QuickTime and PureVoice technology will give users an
increased ability to include high-quality voice messages, resulting in a
significantly enhanced experience on the Web. We believe that the capability
PureVoice technology brings to QuickTime will make it an Internet standard,”
said Carolyn Goates, Apple Computer Inc.’s product manager for QuickTime for
the Internet.

The PureVoice technology player-recorder is now available as a standalone
product and as a plug-in for
Eudora e-mail software.

In related news, QUALCOMM announced Eudora Pro Email 4.0 is now available
for the Macintosh platform. This next-generation version features
multithreading functionality, which enables users to download and retrieve
messages while simultaneously conducting other tasks; support for HTML,
which allows users to create more graphics-intensive e-mail messages; an
advanced filter system; an enhanced directory service; and auto configuration.

Eudora Pro Email 4.0 for Macintosh is now available for an estimated retail
price of $39.