Hillcrest Labs Offers HōME Reference Kit To Simplify Product Development For Corporate Customers

Kodak Licenses HōME™ and Freespace™ for new KODAK Theatre HD Player [The following is a release from Hillcrest Labs]

September 19, 2008

Hillcrest Labs today introduced a new HōME™ Reference Kit (HRK) today for companies and service providers that want to develop their own devices which utilize Hillcrest Labs’ core technologies. This complete solution “in-a-box” offers both HōME and Freespace™ together in a high-end set-top-box that enables developers to prototype and build digital media applications that can be controlled by pointing. Hillcrest’s HōME application creation software allows digital content from any source to be displayed on a television using a graphical, zoomable user interface that can be embedded in a wide range of consumer electronic devices. Hillcrest’s Freespace technology enables CE manufacturers and service providers to embed pointing and motion control into a wide range of form factors, including TV remote controls, game controllers, and PC accessories. Previously, companies licensed HōME and Freespace separately and then developed products using their own hardware. For example, Freespace is used in the highly-acclaimed Logitech® MX Air™ Mouse for PCs; Universal Electronics Inc. (UEI) has licensed the technology for advanced television remote controls; and other undisclosed companies have licensed Hillcrest’s technologies for additional product implementations. With the HRK, corporate customers now have a new option to purchase a pre-assembled hardware solution, with embedded HōME and Freespace software, on which to create new products. Home Reference Kit (HRK) The HRK comes pre-loaded with Hillcrest’s unique HōME application suite which includes: photo and personal video management, personal music management, games, broadband media, and more. Since HoME is an open application creation platform, the HRK is also available with a software development kit (SDK) which developers can use to build applications that utilize Hillcrest's unique Zoomable Markup Language (ZML). Programmers familiar with developing standard HTML web pages can easily develop applications with Hillcrest’s ZML since both use Javascript and are structured similarly. The HRK also includes Hillcrest’s iconic Loop™ remote control embedded with the company’s Freespace technology. The HRK is now available to corporate customers and product designers starting at $500 for the Standard Edition and $1500 for Developer Edition that includes the SDK. KODAK Theatre HD Player Hillcrest also disclosed today that Eastman Kodak Company was the first to license both HoME and Freespace technologies for use together in a consumer product. The imaging leader is using the software in its newly introduced KODAK Theatre HD Player, which will be available in the U.S. later this month. “It is important to Kodak to partner with innovative companies that complement Kodak technologies,” said Julie Gerstenberger, Kodak’s Director of External Alliances and Vice President, Office of the CTO. “Hillcrest Labs’ unique 3-D like applications and motion-control technology offer compelling advantages, and we’re pleased to have licensed its technologies.” ”As one of the worlds’ most well-known and respected brands, Kodak has played a historic role in the evolution of personal media for millions of consumers,” said Dan Simpkins, CEO and Founder of Hillcrest Labs. “We’re honored to have Kodak as a business partner and we look forward to working with them in the months ahead.” For more details about Hillcrest’s HRK or Hillcrest Labs, visit www.hillcrestlabs.com.

Read More: