Seoul, July 17, 2014 – Microchip Technology (Korea Representative: Byung-Don Han), a global leader in microcontrollers, analog semiconductors, and flash-IP solutions, announced the release of a new Spotify® Connect version added to the standard Microchip JukeBlox® platform.

The new version supports over 8 million audio products based on Microchip's network audio processors and features several key improvements over the initial version. Audio brands can easily add Spotify Connect to existing products via firmware upgrades and also incorporate new designs based on all of Microchip's CX870 Wi-Fi® modules and DM860 Ethernet processors. Furthermore, to deliver products and firmware more quickly to consumers, a pre-certification service is being offered for the first time to Spotify Connect users through Microchip's APT Lab.

With Spotify Connect, mobile devices do not need to continuously stream content to wireless speakers or AV receivers. A key advantage of Spotify Connect is that once a song is selected, the audio stream is transmitted directly from Spotify's servers to the wireless speakers via the local network. This allows for free use of the mobile device while music is playing, significantly reduces battery consumption, and enables the device to move freely within the network without interrupting playback. Products capable of experiencing Spotify Connect include audio devices powered by Microchip's JukeBlox platform, such as wireless speakers, AV receivers, internet radios, home theater systems, and docking stations for wireless speakers and portable music players.

Spotify Connect, an award-winning digital music service, makes it easier than ever to discover, manage, and share music through on-demand access to over 20 million songs. Spotify Premium users can easily and simply control and listen to music with a single button on their phones, tablets, and audio devices. Spotify Connect is available in 28 markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, France, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Luxembourg, Italy, Portugal, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Iceland, and Mexico, and has over 24 million active users and over 6 million paid subscribers.

“We are very pleased to be able to add a leading music streaming service through our collaboration with Spotify,” said Sumit Mitra, Vice President of Microchip’s Wireless Products Group. “Audio brands can add Spotify Connect to audio products already on sale simply by upgrading the firmware via Microchip’s latest JukeBlox platform, or add this feature to new designs based on the DM8xx family of Wi-Fi and Ethernet processors.”

Sten Garmark, Vice President of Platform at Spotify, said, “Spotify is striving to provide the industry’s best music streaming service through Spotify Connect.” “Through our collaboration with Microchip, one of the industry’s leading suppliers, we have been able to further expand our partner base,” he said. “We are particularly pleased to be able to provide Connect services through firmware upgrades to devices already in consumers’ homes.”