MindTree Unveils Bluetooth Automotive SDK

Designed to address dual challenges of interoperability and dynamic specifications in automotive infotainment and Personal Navigation Devices

Bangalore, India -- June 4, 2008: MindTree Ltd., a global IT and R&D Services company and a leading provider of Bluetooth intellectual property (IP) solutions, today announced the availability of its EtherMind Bluetooth Software Development Kit (SDK) for the automotive market targeting infotainment and Personal Navigation Devices (PNDs).

With Bluetooth technology evolving rapidly, a new generation of Bluetooth enabled automotive infotainment and PNDs is emerging. Product OEMs and Tier I suppliers are facing the dual challenge of having to keep pace with the latest specifications, while also assuring interoperability with the hundreds of phone models in the field. The MindTree Bluetooth SDK helps to address this challenge.

Backed by the EtherMind Bluetooth stack and a range of profiles, MindTree’s SDK provides a high-level, easy-to-integrate proven package for automotive products. It manages the complexities of establishing and maintaining connections with multiple devices inside a car through a thoughtfully designed, multi-profile co-existence Bluetooth manager. Applications can exercise the services of the SDK through simple, high-level Application Programming Interfaces (APIs). At the same time, the SDK provides sufficient hooks for the applications to control and customize to customer needs. Supplementing this are the well-abstracted plug-in interfaces between the application components (such as Media Players) and HMI elements such as Voice Recognition (VR) or Text to Speech (TTS) and the Bluetooth SDK.

The SDK is available for popular operating systems such as QNX, Windows CE, ITRON, Linux and several other Real Time Operating Systems (RTOS). Product developers can quickly realize standard and complex use cases such as phone book and call history download, hands-free call handling and music streaming with seamless switching between voice and music through a qualified profiles suite including PBAP, OPP, FTP, A2DP, AVRCP, HFP, and SAP.

“Automotive is a rapidly growing market for Bluetooth technology with a variety of products ranging from PNDs to car radio units integrating Bluetooth. By creating this SDK, MindTree is well positioned to provide a high-quality solution for the automotive market,” said Vinod P Deshmukh, MindTree president and Co-CEO, R&D Services. “The market potential is huge. In addition to after-market and high-end models, almost all new cars will incorporate Bluetooth in response to safety and convenience needs.”

“Automotive product life cycles are very long and hence the OEMs and Tier I vendors expect long-term solution support and commitment to Bluetooth technology from providers. With over eight years of continued involvement in the Bluetooth technology, MindTree has demonstrated such commitment. We will continue to invest in Bluetooth technology and implement newer specifications and offer upgrade paths and support to our automotive customers,” said Dr Raghunath, MindTree CTO. “Together with our design services offerings around our IPs, our customers can leverage our superior IP offerings to create longstanding, differentiated Bluetooth enabled products for the automotive segment.”

MindTree is a leading player in Bluetooth intellectual property with a comprehensive set of offerings including the baseband controller and stack and profile solutions. It has been a Bluetooth SIG member since 2000 and has been actively participating in the Bluetooth standardization process. It is also a part of several working groups and regularly participates in the Bluetooth unplug fests. MindTree has licensed its IP to several marquee customers, and its IP has been shipped in several products in volumes. MindTree also offers product realization services across various industry verticals including automotive, consumer appliances, storage and communications.

About MindTree Ltd.

MindTree Ltd. is a global IT and R&D Services Company co-headquartered in the US and India. With a passion for customer satisfaction, MindTree partners with its clients to create a transparent, value-based relationship. Our domain experts deliver business-enabling solutions by leveraging a consulting led, framework-based and IP-driven approach. Our R&D Services business works with Technology companies to help build innovative products by providing Product Realization services & Product Platforms.

MindTree was named among the Top 30 offshore service providers by the International Association of Outsourcing Professionals and Fortune magazine. MindTree has been consistently rated as one of the most admired employers by several industry surveys, including Hewitt Associates and Mercer/TNS, and is also the winner of the MAKE Award for knowledge management. MindTree is publicly listed in India. Please visit us at www.mindtree.com.