Dolby boosts multimedia features of LG handsets

LG Electronics and Dolby Laboratories Inc. have signed an agreement that grants LG a license to embed Dolby Mobile technology into its handsets.

Dolby Mobile is an audio processing technology platform designed to deliver rich, vibrant audio and dramatically improve listening enjoyment. Built on Dolby's extensive portfolio of technologies, Dolby Mobile has been optimized for mobile applications.

"We believe this technology will raise the bar for audio quality on multimedia phones and expect Dolby Mobile to help us create a new trend in the mobile phone industry," said Skott Ahn, president and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Co. "LG is committed to providing our customers with the best features available and our new collaboration with Dolby helps us deliver on this pledge."

"LG shares our passion for cutting-edge innovation. This agreement combines LG's vision and resources with Dolby's pioneering leadership in entertainment technology to deliver the next-generation of mobile entertainment," said Bill Jasper, president and CEO, Dolby.

Dolby Mobile is designed to allow customers to optimize and tailor audio for an enhanced entertainment experience. LG plans to apply Dolby Mobile technology to a wide range of multimedia features on its phones.

Some of the Dolby Mobile features that LG plans to incorporate into its phones include:

Mobile surround—delivers a realistic surround sound experience using headphones;

Sound space expander—creates a wide, rich, and spacious soundstage experience especially suited to music playback;

Natural bass—adds powerful boost and bass extension;

High-frequency enhancer—enhances music and other content by restoring high-frequency effects;

Graphic EQ—helps tune the audio experience for different content types;

Sound level control—helps level out audio for a more consistent playback volume; and

Mono-to-stereo converter, —improves the playback experience of user-generated content.

LG plans to launch the first high-end multimedia phones that incorporate Dolby Mobile technology by Q4 08.