Learning device manufacturers are taking a cue from the advertising and entertainment industries to help children learn

For Immediate Release

Boston, MA/April 27, 2004 --- Advertisers and filmmakers utilize the power of music to evoke emotions and to get viewer attention. Now, educators and manufacturers are taking a cue from these multi-billion dollar industries to help children learn. Realizing the potential of music has over the educational process, Syntek Semiconductor Ltd., a provider of integrated silicon solutions, has entered into a licensing agreement with Sonic Network Inc., a company that has been successfully providing high quality sounds to composers scoring films and advertisements for over a decade. Through this license agreement, Sonic will provide its scalable audio synthesis and wavetable technology to Syntek for a new product line aimed at the educational learning market.  

Syntek currently provides voice-only chipsets to the educational learning device markets, but sees a huge benefit to the learning process through the addition of Music. “Adding music to pre-school learning products such as electronic books will make the reading and learning process more entertaining,” states Leland Tsai, Senior Vice President of Syntek Semiconductor Ltd.. “A listener, especially of a young age, can get bored quickly with just voice. Background music will help maintain a child's interest, so that the learning process is more productive.”  

In fact, much research shows that through music, aural discrimination is increased so that a listener’s mind is focused on the sounds being perceived, thus improving the retention of what is heard. The effects of music on the brain and thinking are demonstrable; research has shown that during an electroencephalogram (EEG), music changes brain waves and makes the brain more receptive to learning by increasing the function of key brain centers. Because the functions in the brain for music are located close to those for logical reasoning, it appears that simultaneous stimulation of neighboring areas may benefit both. “Regardless of the science behind the methods, children do enjoy reading books with music to help set the mood,” adds Tsai. “By marrying music playback capabilities with traditional electronic books, learning appliance manufacturers can encourage and promote early reading in pre-schoolers.” 

Through an IP licensing agreement, Sonic’s audio synthesis and wavetable technology will provide MIDI musical playback capability on a new Syntek device family, thereby enabling Original Design Manufacturers to provide higher quality music synthesis in their products than is currently available on any existing chipsets. The chipset will ship with a full instrument set, and with Sonic’s MIDI synthesis technology, customers can select whatever music they require as dictated by their target market. Additionally, because Sonic can provide additional stylized and regionalized sound sets for use with the Syntek chips, manufacturers can target geographic as well as demographic markets such as Asia, Europe, Africa and Latin America. When asked why Syntek chose Sonic’s technology, Tsai states “Basically, Sonic provides a high-quality, small footprint synthesizer designed for the embedded market. It is well written and very efficient, making it quite suitable for low power processors and their wavetables are very rich. We found we could have a good working relationship with Sonic, and their IP is well designed and easy to integrate.” Syntek plans to offer the device to ODM manufacturers starting in Q4 2004. 

About Syntek:

Syntek Semiconductor Ltd. is a leading provider of highly integrated silicon solutions for applications in the growing consumer electronics and multimedia markets. With two decades of expertise in digital and analog IC design as well as system software and total system solutions, Syntek has developed a diverse product portfolio. These products include ADC, DAC, LCD display controllers, RISC micro-controllers, video steaming controllers, DSC controllers, voice/audio processing IC and LCD-TV IC. These technologies and products support our customers by increasing the number of functions included in each product generation, by reducing system costs, and by shortening the time necessary for marketing.

About Sonic Network, Inc.:
Sonic Network, Inc. provides embedded audio technology and content (music and sounds) that enable high quality, engaging audio and multi-media playback. The company licenses its products in a wide variety of markets including Wireless Devices, Semiconductors, PC Soundcards, Games, and Music Synthesizers. Consumers enjoy crystal clear music and multi-media playback on all devices, despite a particular platform's memory, processing or functional constraints. For this reason, Sonic has gained a well-deserved reputation of providing superb next-generation quality audio. 

   HTML: http://www.sonicnetworkinc.com/press_releases.htm; www.stk.com.tw
   ONLINE NEWSROOM: http://www.sonicnetworkinc.com/press.asp
   LOGO: http://www.sonicnetworkinc.com/press/Sonic%20Network%20Logopress.GIF

KEYWORDS: Embedded audio, educational learning appliance, MIDI, wavetable, audio synthesis, toy audio, toy music

SOURCE: Sonic Network, Inc.