SALT LAKE CITY, Feb. 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- ClearOne Communications, Inc. , the industry leader in high-end audio conferencing, today introduced the new Tabletop Controller designed for the XAP suite of professional audio conferencing products.

The affordable Tabletop Controller gives XAP users the ability to easily start and navigate an audio conference without the need for touch panel control systems, which can be expensive, complex, or intimidating to users. The dial pad on the device resembles a telephone keypad for instant familiarity, and users can dial a conference call as easily as dialing a telephone, with no training required.

It also offers five user-definable keys to manage the most commonly-used audio conference and presentation control functions, such as presenter mic volume up/down, lights on/off, projector on/off, screen up/down, etc. These keys are easily programmed using the included configuration builder software. The device connects directly to the XAP and can send commands to third-party devices that are connected to the communications port on the XAP.

The Tabletop Controller costs less than touch-screen panel control systems, and its simplified setup for the user-definable keys can save customers programming time and expense as well. Along with its sleek, functional design, this latest offering from ClearOne delivers the most cost- effective, attractive and easy-to-use control solution for XAP systems on the market.

"Our customers have asked ClearOne for an alternative control solution at a lower price point for our XAP platform," said Tracy Bathurst, ClearOne's vice president of product line management. "They have a number of mid-sized rooms that they would like to equip with a ClearOne professional conferencing solution, but the addition of a typical touch-panel system puts the total system cost out of budget range. Combining our new Tabletop Controller with XAP will make a professional audio conferencing system more affordable for our customers."

"In addition, our customers have stated multiple times they want a device that is very simple and intuitive to operate, is not intimidating to users, and that will also offer some customizable buttons so they can control basic room audio and presentation functions," continued Bathurst.

"We have received very positive feedback on the design and functionality of the controller that comes with our RAV premium conferencing system, and so we developed this controller for XAP based on a similar design. Once again, we have listened to our customers and have responded with a product that fits their needs very well."

The controller comes with a 40-foot cable that connects to both the XAP and a power source, eliminating the need for batteries. Longer distances of up to 150 feet are easily achieved with standard Cat 3, Cat 5 or Cat 6 cabling. It also includes pre-printed labels with common audio conference, presentation and room control functions, which apply easily to the user- definable keys.

The ClearOne Tabletop Controller has a list price of $799. It is scheduled to begin shipping during the first half of March.

For additional information, please visit http://www.clearone.com/ or call 800-707-6994.

ClearOne is a communications solutions company that develops and sells audio conferencing systems and other related products for audio, video and web conferencing applications. The reliability, flexibility and performance of ClearOne's comprehensive solutions create a natural communications environment, which saves organizations time and money by enabling more effective and efficient communication. On the Web: http://www.clearone.com/.

CONTACT: Kurt Olsen ClearOne Communications, Inc. Phone: 801-303-3362 Fax: 801-977-0087 E-mail: kurt.olsen@clearone.com

CONTACT: Kurt Olsen of ClearOne Communications, Inc., +1-801-303-3362,
or fax, +1-801-977-0087, kurt.olsen@clearone.com

Web site: http://www.clearone.com/