CES 2009: Iriver Unveils WAVE-HOME Multimedia Communication Device

The new device includes multimedia, web, and phone capabilities

iriver, a worldwide leading provider of innovative digital devices, announced the game-changing WAVE-HOME, a product meant to bring the company's award-winning ingenuity to the networking space. The iriver WAVE-HOME combines advanced multimedia, web, and phone capabilities in an all-in-one solution. This comprehensive communication hub offers users a simple way to remain connected while at work, at home, or on the go.

The new WAVE-HOME comes with a sleek and minimal base station, complemented by a portable handset, integrating in a single device phone, Internet, lifestyle, and home entertainment needs. The company announced that the new product would be demonstrated at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

“The WAVE-HOME is a milestone introduction for iriver as we expand our product innovation and design into exciting new areas, such as life and home networking. Our mission has always been to help consumers easily connect with the things they value most in life. Our new networking devices take this concept to the next level, by providing a stylish and powerful way to stay completely connected to every aspect of your home and business life and relationships,” Myoung Woo Lee, CEO, iriver, said.

The stylish WAVE-HOME base station features a 7" color LCD touchscreen, and is said to have been developed so as to integrate all of the user's personal digital content, such as music, movies, hand drawing, photos, digital photo frame, Internet, and phone services. The device is also equipped with built-in, high-quality stereo speakers, which allow owners to enjoy music, video, as well as FM radio.

According to the company, this is not a simple VoIP phone, as it additionally includes an Internet multimedia communication device that provides possibilities for a wide range of activities to be performed, both at home and in the office. The device allows for private usage, as well as for creating new business opportunities via broadband Internet such as VoIP.

A broadband Internet connection permits WAVE-HOME to provide Web surfing, while also delivering support for Internet phone service via SMS/MMS, VoIP Video Phone, VoIP Phone, MMCID/MMRB, live Phonebook sync, and other features. Phone calls are enabled both via the internal speaker phone and through the wireless handset, which comes with additional support for a remote controller. A 1.3 megapixel CMOS camera is also present, enabling users to take sharp photos that can then be fast presented via the photo viewer.

WAVE-HOME also includes an intelligent Widget that offers instant weather, stock, and traffic information, in addition to web and multimedia services that would not require the presence of a computer since the device can connect to the Internet. The Widget features an intuitive and easy-to-use interface and individual information window, or a text box for display. Consumers can choose from several functions to use, including Widget Connector, Widget Manager, Widget Icon, and Widget Gallery.