Aura Communications and foneGEAR today announced the world's first universal wireless headset based on magnetic communications technology.

Using Aura Communications' LibertyLink technology, the foneGEAR Cord Free headset uses an enhanced form of 'near field' magnetic communication rather than conventional radio frequency technology to become the lowest power, most affordable wireless headset on the market today. Compatible with existing mobile and cordless phones, and even PCs, foneGEAR's Cord Free creates a secure communication bubble that surrounds and is uniquely owned by each user for reliable and private communications.

Designed to rid consumers of yet another AC wall charger, foneGEAR Cord Free uses a single AA alkaline battery to achieve up to 25 hours of talk time and 3 months of standby power. The foneGEAR headset dispenses with the conventional standby or 'on-off' button, so users never need to remember to turn it off. Simply dock the headset in the base that attaches to your phone through a universal 2.5 mm headset jack - and you're ready to go for your next call.

To be available at the breakthrough price of between $59 - $79 (depending on retailer), foneGEAR creates a new standard for price-performance capabilities among wireless headsets. Compared to wireless headsets based on Bluetooth technology that can retail for $149 or more, foneGEAR's Aura- powered design offers huge advantages in cost, battery life and quality of service. foneGEAR expects to be carried by major nationwide electronics chains and mass merchandisers upon first product shipments in the 4th quarter of 2003.

What is Magnetic Communications? While the concepts behind magnetic induction communication have been around for decades, Aura is the first company to develop and implement practical solutions capturing the unique benefits of this technology. Conventional radio frequency (RF) wireless communication systems are optimal for sending large amounts of information and communicating over long distances. However, this consumes power, creates security issues through its widespread broadcasting of information and results in interference and "crowding" among devices. A good example is in the 2.4 GHz band where simultaneous operation of a portable phone, WiFi network and Bluetooth headset is frequently not possible without severe degradation of Quality of Service. In sharp contrast, LibertyLink's magnetic communication operates in the low- frequency industrial, scientific and medical band at 13.5 MHz, creating a 3- dimensional 'bubble' that envelops the personal space of each user and is - by the laws of physics - inherently private and secure. The result is an easier to use, lower-cost systems design that makes far more efficient use of power and bandwidth than conventional RF solutions.

"The Aura Communications magnetic induction technology is among the most significant new innovations we've seen in this area," said Chris Shipley, Executive Producer, DEMOmobile. "It represents a true consumer technology that has the potential to wirelessly enable virtually anyone with a mobile or cordless phone. The huge savings in power and cost, as well as the inherent privacy of the technology, should prove to be very attractive to consumers. We're delighted they have chosen DEMOmobile as their launch platform."

"foneGEAR carefully evaluated a number of alternatives before deciding on Aura's magnetic communication technology for our new brand of wireless headsets -- we believe our product sets a new benchmark for quality, price- performance and features that simply wouldn't be possible without Aura's technology," said Ken Eisenbraun, President of foneGEAR. "Through this new design, we expect to shake up the industry and show people what a high-quality wireless headset experience is all about."

"We are delighted to have been invited by DEMO to introduce our technology to the world at their event," said Kip Kokinakis, President and CEO of Aura Communications. "Our patented technology is uniquely suited to the demands of today's wireless culture. You can talk for hours in a secure fashion, throw the headset in a briefcase or backpack, and pick it up again months -- or minutes -- later knowing it will still be ready to go. Bringing the price of wireless headsets down to a true consumer price point will help to 'cut the last cord' on a mobile phone and make these products truly ubiquitous."

Aura Communications, a fabless semiconductor company, has developed the next-generation of wireless connectivity specifically targeted for consumer electronics and mobile devices. Utilizing an enhanced form of magnetic communication rather than broadcast radio frequency technology, Aura enables the design of the lowest power and most affordable wireless products on the market today. The result of nearly a decade of research and development, Aura's LibertyLink technology creates a built-in privacy zone that envelopes and is uniquely owned by each user for secure, reliable communications. Aura technology unwires the next-generation of headsets, mobile communication devices, MP3 players and other to-be-announced products from the world's most respected brands. Aura Communications has been awarded multiple patents broadly covering magnetic induction communication and is the only company in the world positioned to capture the unique benefits of this technology.