Frontier Silicon, a leading software provider for the consumer audio sector, today announces that its technology has been chosen by Harman International Industries to power the recently announced JBL Playlist, the company’s new Google Cast-enabled wireless home speaker.

HARMAN is the world’s #1 provider of wireless home audio devices – in 2015 achieving an 11% share of global home audio sales1.

The JBL Playlist is a Wi-Fi speaker which allows users to stream cloud-based music services and radio from smartphones, tablets or laptops. The JBL Playlist will be available from retailers in Q4 2016.

The speaker is powered by Frontier’s Minuet speaker toolkit, a design platform enabling audio manufacturers to develop wireless speakers incorporating Google Cast, quickly and cost-effectively. Frontier is one of a very small number of solution providers working with Google on this technology.

Google Cast enables users to listen via Wi-Fi to online services such as Spotify and Pandora. Google Cast speakers are interoperable and offer multi-room capability - allowing consumers to fill their homes with music from multiple synchronised speakers.

The toolkit is powered by Frontier’s Minuet module and includes the entire design set needed to build an audio product (datasheets, schematics, gerbers, mechanical drawings, bill of materials, application guidelines, simulation tools, iOS / Android reference apps and libraries). It comes pre-certified for CE, FCC, Wi-Fi Alliance and Bluetooth.

The Minuet connected module measures only 56x37mm - incorporating all the elements required for a state-of-the-art audio device, including 802.11ac Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, diversity antennas, a dual-core ARM A7 processor, multiple audio inputs and outputs.

Frontier will be demonstrating Minuet at IFA 2016 from 2nd to 7th September and at CEDIA 2016 in Dallas from 15th to 17th September.

Anthony Sethill, CEO, Frontier Silicon, said:

“Just over a year ago we announced we were working with Google on its Cast technology. Google Cast promises to be a game changer for the smart audio sector and we are delighted that our first product announcement is with HARMAN, the world’s largest speaker company. The JBL Playlist will be the first of several design wins to be announced in the coming months. ”

Robb Mason, Senior director, Connected Home HARMAN, said:

“The incorporation of Google Cast into the JBL Playlist brings listeners unrivalled Wi-Fi access to a host of online music services. We chose Frontier for this project because of their high level of customer support and ability to deliver robust technology solutions. The Frontier relationship has enabled us to produce a high quality, attractively priced speaker in time for this year’s holiday season.”

About Frontier Silicon Limited

Frontier Silicon is the world’s leading supplier of integrated circuits and modules for digital radio and smart audio products. Frontier Silicon’s audio products offer solutions for DAB/DAB+, Internet Radio and Wi-Fi enabled wireless speakers and soundbars - from silicon through software to production-ready platform designs. Customers supplied by Frontier Silicon include Bose, Denon, Grundig, harman/kardon, Onkyo, Panasonic, Philips, Pioneer, Pure, Roberts, Sony, TechniSat, Yamaha, and many more.

Frontier Silicon is a trademark or registered trademark of Frontier Silicon Ltd.

1 Source Futuresource (May 2016). Global home audio volumes in 2015: 88 million units; home audio defined as AV receivers, Hi-Fi systems, soundbars, speaker docks and wireless speakers