SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — May 23, 2013

 
ClearOne (NASDAQ: CLRO) takes another leap ahead with the Pro Audio industry’s most powerful innovation, the Beamforming Microphone Array, now supporting tabletop and wall applications. The best just got better, and continues to disrupt the Pro AV industry.
 
“While others are trying to catch up, we are well ahead, creating new solutions for our value-added distributors, integrators and resellers to offer more options in servicing their customers,” said Zee Hakimoglu, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ClearOne. “The Beamforming Microphone Array is truly a game-changer for the Pro AV industry – as the only professional microphone array of its kind. It now has the flexibility to be used in wall mode for video conferencing, tabletop mode for conference rooms, and ceiling mount for applications as critical as operating rooms.”
 
The Beamforming Microphone Array is the Pro AV industry’s first professional-grade microphone array with beamforming and adaptive steering technology and ClearOne’s next-generation Acoustic Echo Cancellation. The ultra-sleek design fits into any conferencing environment and adaptively delivers the ultimate in voice pickup available on the market today. Twenty-four microphone elements steer pickup patterns towards participants, rejecting unwanted noise and reflections, offering superb and unmatched performance. The array seamlessly interfaces with ClearOne CONVERGE® Pro products, and conveniently supports Power-over-Ethernet.
 
With simple firmware and software upgrades, scheduled for release in June, users can expand the array’s capabilities from ceiling mode to include tabletop and wall modes. Separate ceiling and wall-mount kits provide further flexibility for optimum installation.
 

About ClearOne

 
ClearOne is a global company that designs, develops and sells conferencing, collaboration, streaming and digital signage solutions for audio and visual communications. The performance and simplicity of its advanced comprehensive solutions enhance the quality of life. ClearOne products offer unprecedented levels of functionality, reliability and scalability. More information about the company can be found at www.clearone.com
 
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http://investors.clearone.com

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ClearOne’s Beamforming Microphone Array is the Pro-Audio industry’s first professional-grade microphone array with beamforming and adaptive steering technology and ClearOne’s next-generation Acoustic Echo Cancellation.
 
The ultra-sleek design fits into any conferencing environment and delivers the clearest audio pickup available with adaptive acoustic processing. Twenty-four microphone elements can steer its pickup pattern towards participants in the room and reject unwanted noise and reflections, thereby offering superb and unmatched performance for group conferencing environments.
 
A recent review of the Beamforming Microphone Array by Leonard Suskin shows how this powerful technology is truly a game-changer for the Pro Audio industry.
 

It’s neither a bird nor a plane, but a ceiling mic array.

“Physically, it’s a nice looking piece of hardware. It’s thirty inches long, five and three-quarters wide, by only one inch deep. On the bottom (if ceiling-mounted) are cutouts for the individual mic elements and two LED/touch buttons, one of which has the Clear One ‘C’ log discretely wrapped around it. It connects to a Clear One Converge DSP (and only a Clear One Converge – more on this later) and power-injector through two Cat5-type cables which can be neatly managed through the hollow rectangular support pole. It also comes with a tile-bridge to easily mount to a standard two-foot drop-ceiling. It’s certainly a nice physical package.”
 
Leonard has had some bad luck with ceiling microphones in the past, saying “There are, of course, better solutions, but the end result always seems the same; the ceiling is not the optimal place to locate microphones. They’re far from the talker. They’re close to all kinds of ceiling noise. The best results one could hope for are “barely adequate”. So it was with hope but some degree of skepticism that I took part in a test of Clear One’s new digital beam-forming ceiling mic array.”
 
But once the Beamforming Microphone Array was installed, he found that his initial skepticism about the ClearOne Beamforming Microphone Array was unwarranted and said “…it performed splendidly. Intelligent tracking software built into the mic follows the sound of voices, giving a clear and even signal as one of us walked in a circle around the room. Audio was clear from all four corners of the room. Clear One’s noise cancellation dealt nicely with the projector noise, although at the expense of slight artifacts perceived by those of us with the most sensitive ears for such things.”
 
Read the entire review here: “Did You Hear What’s Up? A Morning with a Ceiling Mic”
 
Thank you for the review Leonard, and we are glad you enjoyed our groundbreaking new technology! If you would like to see your review of ClearOne products on our blog, email us at marketing@clearone.com and we may repost!
 

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Hear the difference with true full-duplex audio. This quick interactive piece makes it easy to see the need for echo cancellation, full-duplex audio and professional audio processing – even if the solution is as small and portable as a deck of cards!  Click here to learn more!

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — May 2, 2013

 
For the 2013 first quarter, revenue for the first time in the first quarter surpassed $11 million, totaling $11.3 million compared with $10.2 million for the first quarter of 2012, an increase of 11%. Gross profit was $7.0 million, or 62% of revenue, compared with $6.1 million, or 60% of revenue, for the first quarter of 2012. Non-GAAP operating income increased by 48% to $1.4 million compared with $953 thousand during the first quarter of 2012. Non-GAAP net income grew 54% to $966 thousand, or $0.10 per diluted share, from $626 thousand, or $0.07 per diluted share. Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA increased 34% to $1.6 million, or $0.17 per diluted share compared with $1.2 million, or $0.13 per diluted share in the first quarter of 2012.
 
The reconciliation between GAAP and Non-GAAP measures is available in the tables linked to this release.
 
“We are pleased that the results, which include record revenues for the seasonally slower first quarter, reflect meaningful contributions from our recent strategic acquisitions of video technology. Newly introduced professional audio products also significantly contributed to this record revenue,” said Zee Hakimoglu, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ClearOne. “Share of video products in our revenue mix has grown significantly, reflecting its increasing importance to our future growth. We continue to evaluate various measures to increase shareholder value, including internal investments in technology, operations, sales and marketing, modest strategic acquisitions, and other alternatives to benefit the company and all shareholders.”
 
The first quarter results do not consider the expected receipt of approximately $500,000 in attorneys’ fees previously paid to indemnify the company’s former CFO, as the Utah Supreme Court’s favorable ruling was received in April 2013, after the conclusion of the company’s first quarter.
 

Recent Highlights

 
• February 2013. The company introduced its new line of software-based video conferencing solutions to its established Professional AV channel distributors, which is expected to generate additional revenue in the remainder of 2013.
 
• February 2013. The company announced the promotion of David Traeger to Vice President, Professional Audio Visual Sales throughout North America and Latin America. Traeger will be responsible for developing and growing sales of ClearOne’s full line of products, including the COLLABORATE® suite of software-based video conferencing solutions, in the Professional AV channel.
 
• March 2013. The company announced the shipment of its Beamforming Microphone Array to complement its professionally installed audio conferencing product lines. The Beamforming Microphone Array is the industry’s first professional-grade microphone array with patent-pending audio beamforming with adaptive steering and next generation AEC technology. This unique product differentiates ClearOne in the market and is expected to drive higher adoption of ClearOne’s CONVERGE® line of professional audio products.
 
• March 2013. The company announced the shipment of its new WS800 Digital Wireless Microphone System to complement its professionally installed audio conferencing product lines. The microphone system uses radio-frequency digital wireless signal transmission technology with highly secure encryption and is optimized to work with CONVERGE® Pro and INTERACT® Pro products. The introduction of this wireless microphone system provides partners with a more complete ClearOne branded solution set and further extends ClearOne’s reach in the large Pro AV microphone market.
 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 
ClearOne provides non-GAAP financial information in the form of Non-GAAP net income, Adjusted EBITDA and corresponding earnings per share to investors to supplement GAAP financial information. ClearOne believes that excluding certain items from GAAP results allows ClearOne’s management to better understand ClearOne’s consolidated financial performance from period to period as management does not believe that the excluded items are reflective of underlying operating performance. Non-GAAP net income, Adjusted EBITDA and corresponding earnings per share excludes certain costs and expenses, the details of which are provided in the tables below containing the reconciliation between GAAP and Non-GAAP financial measures. The exclusion of these items in the non-GAAP presentation should not be interpreted as implying that these items are non-recurring, infrequent, or unusual. ClearOne believes non-GAAP financial measures will provide investors with useful information to help them evaluate ClearOne’s operating results and projections. This non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for operating income, net income or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to the use of non-GAAP financial measures. Other companies, including companies in ClearOne’s industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than ClearOne does, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. A detailed reconciliation of Non-GAAP net income to GAAP net income is included with this news release.
 

About ClearOne

 
ClearOne is a global company that designs, develops and sells conferencing, collaboration, streaming and digital signage solutions for audio and visual communications. The performance and simplicity of its advanced comprehensive solutions enhance the quality of life. ClearOne products offer unprecedented levels of functionality, reliability and scalability. More information about the company can be found at www.clearone.com
 
This release contains “forward-looking” statements that are based on present circumstances and on ClearOne’s predictions with respect to events that have not occurred, that may not occur, or that may occur with different consequences and timing than those now assumed or anticipated. Such forward-looking statements, including acquisitions or investments the company may make to fuel growth, the purchase of common stock under the company’s stock repurchase program and any statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations, are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results described in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release and ClearOne assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
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http://investors.clearone.com

 
Please find the printable release with included financial tables in our Investor Relations area at the link shown above.
 

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Dinosaurs didn’t see the rise of man until the meteor hit. The horse and buggy companies never saw the Model T until they were run over. Titanic claimed it was unsinkable until it met the iceberg, and Kodak claimed digital would never be better than film until their stock hit pennies on the dollar.
 
Change comes at you fast, and outworn attitudes and ideas will leave you hopelessly outmoded and obsolete when you most need to be nimble and flexible.
 
In video conferencing, there was a mindset that dedicated and proprietary hardware was the ultimate solution. Some will claim that software codecs that run on Window’s software is not reliable and susceptible to crashing. With COLLABORATE by ClearOne, you have a hardened system that does not run programs in the background. With a proprietary machine, you have technology that is dying the moment it leaves the factory. It is destined to be an end-of-life product that cannot be upgraded as the technology advances. COLLABORATE users are able to download their upgrades, and protect their investments.
 
Some salesman are so desperate to move their outdated machines, they will claim that it costs a user $1,000 to be able to connect a laptop and share data with Collaborate. The reality is, that unless you have a non-Windows compatible program, there is no need to connect a laptop. This means less equipment to clutter your conference table.
 
But, what about the fact that COLLABORATE supports only one camera? Thank you for demonstrating our argument for us! Starting in Q2, COLLABORATE users will be able to download an update and dual camera support will be available without investing in more hardware.
 
What about companies that are using COLLABORATE in several locations around the world? Don’t you worry about compatability between the systems? Well, by using a COLLABORATE Central Administrator program, the network administrator can remotely upgrade all COLLABORATE Desktop endpoints, as well as manage those endpoints on a day-to-day basis. COLLABORATE Desktop includes video and audio device discovery as well as an audio tuning wizard, making it easy to install and operate, no matter which cameras and audio the user chooses.
 
One of the weakest arguments is that data cannot be shared during the video conference, but the reality is that COLLABORATE Desktop allows users to share data from their desktop with the remote side. Various forms of sharing are possible such as desktop, file, window and region sharing, utilizing a detachable data window. When deployed in conjunction with COLLABORATE Central, users can invite a 3rd party into their conference, and everyone will be placed automatically into a multipoint conference bridge. Other video telephony features, such as video call transfer and video call forward are also possible when an COLLABORATE Central server is used. Advanced data sharing capabilities – display presentations or videos, and open various file types from USB storage devices.
 
In today’s world, the technology is changing by the minute, and it refuses to wait for you to catch up. Outdated hardware, inferior picture and audio quality, and lack of innovation in your video conferencing is costing you business daily. Call ClearOne today and learn how we can bring your company light years ahead of your competition.
 

 

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — April 10, 2013

 
ClearOne (NASDAQ: CLRO) a global provider of audio and visual communication solutions, is pleased to announce an important victory in the Utah Supreme Court in a dispute relating to the company’s indemnification of a former officer for costs associated with her criminal defense. As a result of this ruling, which cannot be appealed, ClearOne expects to recoup approximately $500,000 in attorneys’ fees previously paid to indemnify the company’s former CFO.
 
“We are pleased that this ruling will result in a significant net financial benefit for ClearOne,” said Chairman and CEO Zee Hakimoglu. “I want to thank our current management team and Board of Directors for remaining focused on successfully growing the company while we resolved these legacy matters that transpired nearly ten years ago.”
 
ClearOne has continued to innovate and invest in its business. Over the past several years, with new leadership in place, it has introduced new and innovative audio and video products and enhanced its market opportunity with disciplined acquisitions. These moves have extended the reach of the company’s global distribution channels and bolstered its cash position and profitability.
 
ClearOne is a global company that designs, develops and sells conferencing, collaboration, streaming and digital signage solutions for audio and visual communications. The performance and simplicity of its advanced comprehensive solutions offer unprecedented levels of functionality, reliability and scalability. More information about the company can be found at www.clearone.com.
 

About ClearOne

 
ClearOne is a global company that designs, develops and sells conferencing, collaboration, streaming and digital signage solutions for audio and visual communications. The performance and simplicity of its advanced comprehensive solutions enhance the quality of life. ClearOne products offer unprecedented levels of functionality, reliability and scalability. More information about the company can be found at www.clearone.com
 
 

http://investors.clearone.com

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Last Thursday night, ClearOne was pleased to see that Pawnee, Indiana’s Councilman Jeremy Jamm’s lawyers have good taste in phones.

While Jamm’s lawyers were interviewing Andy Dwyer, Tom Haverford, and April Ludgate about Ron Swanson’s previous statements regarding wanting to punch Councilman Jamm in the face, we noticed that there were several ClearOne Max Attach phones on the table.
 
Watch the entire hilarious episode here or skip ahead to 5:01-6:09 to see our phones make their Prime-Time NBC debut.

Get your ClearOne MAX® Wireless and MAXAttach® expandable wireless conferencing phones, and rest assured you’re getting the best audio quality, service and expertise available. Winner of Frost & Sullivan’s 2012 Global Tabletop Audio Conferencing Endpoints Product Line Strategy Award, ClearOne provides the flexibility and ease of use you need with tabletop conferencing. Large and small businesses alike rely on the breadth of audio and video conferencing solutions and the legacy audio you will only find at ClearOne.
 

 
MAX Wireless: Freedom to take your conference with you from room to room with secure, encrypted transmissions. Simply plug in the base unit and use the speakerphone in any room within signal range.

Highlights

• Superior audio clarity brought by ClearOne’s HDConference® audio technology.
• Proprietary echo and noise cancellation
• Full-duplex audio
• Automatic gain and level controls adjust mic and speaker levels automatically
• Adaptive modeling continuously sample room acoustics for changes
• 64-bit encrypted communication, 15-foot signal range, and 12 hours battery life
• Easy to use with true plug-and-play capability

 

Click here to learn more about how these phones are the industry’s first fully expandable, tabletop conference phone which includes ClearOne’s legacy HDConference™ audio processing technology to provide unparalleled sound quality for natural-sounding phone conferences.

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SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — April 17, 2013

 
This afternoon, ClearOne placed as a finalist in the 11^th-Annual Utah Innovation Awards for the groundbreaking new Beamforming Microphone Array in the “Computer Hardware/Electrical Devices” category. The array is the first professional-grade microphone array with beamforming and adaptive steering technology, ClearOne’s next-generation Acoustic Echo Cancellation, and a sleek form-factor that allows it to fit into a variety of conferencing environments. Twenty-four individual microphone elements allow it to steer the pickup pattern towards participants in the room, reject unwanted noise and reflections, and automatically adjust to the room configuration for the best audio pickup. One Beamforming Microphone Array replaces up to 10 traditional microphones, with twice the pickup range.
 
The Utah Innovation Awards, presented by Stoel Rives LLP and the Utah Technology Council, is the state’s first and premier innovation awards program, designed to recognize innovations and the companies that created them. A selection committee comprised of approximately 70 professionals from Utah business, technology, and academic communities narrowed the focus to those companies best exemplifying the ingenuity and inventive spirit of the awards. Innovations from all industries and all areas of technology were entered for consideration.
 
“The Beamforming Microphone Array is designed to deliver the clearest audio pickup available and ClearOne has developed and implemented a first-class product for superb and unmatched performance in group-conferencing environments. We are honored to have placed as a finalist for the Utah Innovation Awards 2013,” said Durai Ramichandiran, Senior Director of Product Line Management for Pro Audio, Streaming & Signage.
 

About ClearOne

 
ClearOne is a global company that designs, develops and sells conferencing, collaboration, streaming and digital signage solutions for audio and visual communications. The performance and simplicity of its advanced comprehensive solutions offer unprecedented levels of functionality, reliability and scalability. More information about the company can be found at www.clearone.com.
 
The full listing of winning entries can be found at the Stoel Rives Website
 
© Copyright 2013, ClearOne, Inc. All rights reserved. ClearOne®, the ClearOne logo, and the names and marks associated with ClearOne’s products are trademarks and/or service marks of ClearOne, Inc. and are registered and/or common-law marks in the United States and various other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

 

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Preliminary R&D is underway for a new, “Morgan Freeman” module to be included with the Beamforming Microphone Array as early as 2014. The new module would provide all conference attendees a new type of voice-lift with the deep, commanding tones of the beloved actor and voice-over artist.  ”Every word that Morgan Freeman says gives a sense of weight, dignity, and , let’s be honest, simply sounds more awesome” said a ClearOne source. “With this new technology, any voice is transformed, in real-time, and transmitted through the system as Morgan Freeman’s voice.  Who hasn’t wanted Morgan Freeman to narrate their words?  Well, now with the new Beamforming Microphone Array module, it’s a reality!”

Beamforming Microphone Array

Leapfrogging innovations such as Garmin’s natural-sounding GPS voice technology, ClearOne moves into real-time vocal transformation.  Without confirming additional voices, our source hinted that Morgan Freeman was only the beginning, as an entire portfolio of male and female voices would eventually be available as individual, firmware downloads.  Rumored applications also suggest huge potential in karaoke machines, allowing even the most tone-deaf of performers to sound like Adelle, Beyonce, or Usher.  Movie studios are also interested in licensing the technology to remake older films with deceased actors.

“The Beamforming Microphone Array represents the Pro Audio industry’s first professional-grade microphone with beamforming and adaptive steering technology and ClearOne’s next-generation Acoustic Echo Cancellation.” said our source. “At the very least, the ultra-sleek design will provide the clearest pickup in even the most difficult installations, so all the audio will sound crystal-clear – even without the addition of Morgan Freeman’s dulcimer tones.  The technology is in its infancy, but we are moving forward with gusto as we explore all potential applications of this product.  With such innovation, it is a brave new world indeed.”

Learn More Here

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The Beamforming Microphone Array from ClearOne has been nominated in the eleventh annual Utah Innovation Awards Program, in the computer hardware/Electrical Devices category presented by Stoel Rives LLP and the Utah Technology Council. ClearOne is pleased to be a nominee amongst the strongest and most innovative technology advancements in Utah.
 
“A Selection Committee comprised of approximately 70 professionals from Utah’s business, technology and academic communities, all with technical or business experience pertaining to one of the program’s categories, carefully reviewed the nominations during a month-long evaluation process. Following the evaluation process, each Selection Committee member voted on all nominations, and those receiving a majority of the votes were named finalists in each category. The evaluation process proved to be very challenging because of the high quality of each nomination. We, and the Selection Committee, congratulate you on your accomplishment and success.” – Robbie G. Yates Stoel Rives LLP
 
Winners will be announced at the Utah Innovation Awards Luncheon on Wednesday April 17, 2013 at the Salt Lake City Marriott City Center on 200 South State Street in downtown Salt Lake City.
 
Click here for more information on the 2013 Utah Innovation Awards
 

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