To meet the need for power efficient handheld pointing controllers in Smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming media players and Windows 8 PCs, SMK Electronics and Hillcrest Labs have collaborated to create a new low cost 'motion sensing' consumer remote control solution. The new remote, to be manufactured and marketed by SMK Electronics, delivers 6-axis in-air pointing and precise cursor control utilizing Hillcrest's Freespace® MotionEngine TM Lite software in combination with Bluetooth® Smart advanced remote control technology from Texas Instruments (TI).

"Driven by market penetration of pointing-enabled Android TM and Windows® 8 operating systems, pointing-enabled remote controls are essential elements of Smart TVs and PC product offerings," said Chad Lucien, senior vice president of sales and marketing, Hillcrest Labs. "We're again proud to partner with SMK, a trusted industry supplier of durable high quality remote controls, to create a low cost high performance solution to meet this market need."

"We are excited to offer our global customers a cost-effective 6-axis motion-sensing remote control that delivers precise handheld pointing and cursor control," said Paul Evans, president, SMK Electronics Corporation. "The combination of Hillcrest's MotionEngine Lite and Bluetooth low energy RF technology from TI provides a high performance low cost solution to OEMs looking to deploy next-generation Smart TVs, set-top boxes, media players, PCs, and other consumer entertainment devices."

"Bluetooth low energy RF connectivity delivers the performance and low power consumption required by advanced consumer remote controls," said Oyvind Birkenes, general manager, Wireless Connectivity Solutions, TI. "We are pleased to continue our relationship with SMK and Hillcrest Labs to drive innovation in the consumer electronics space and expand the success of our Bluetooth low energy RF solutions."

SMK Electronics' low cost pointer uses Hillcrest's MotionEngine Lite software to transform data from an accelerometer and a gyroscope into intuitive in-air pointing control. Interfacing wirelessly with Smart TVs, set-top boxes, streaming media players, PCs, and other devices, the new 6-axis motion sensing remote will be demonstrated at 2014 International CES by SMK Electronics (booth #20200 LVCC South Hall 1) and Hillcrest Labs (Renaissance Hotel Suite #932).

About Hillcrest Labs

Hillcrest Labs is the leading global supplier of software and hardware for motion-enabled products. Our Freespace® technology transforms human movement into high quality, application-ready motion information. With a decade of development and many unique patented features, products come to life with Freespace motion. Companies that have licensed or use Hillcrest's motion technology include: Atmel, Eastman Kodak, Hisense, Intel, LG Electronics, Logitech, Roku, SMK Electronics, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc., and TCL Multimedia.

Hillcrest has received numerous awards and recognitions including the prestigious CES Innovations Honoree Award multiple times, IMS Research's TV Innovation Awards, EE Times' ACE Award, PC World's 100 Best Products and Greatest Tech Designs, Popular Mechanics' Editors Choice, ECN's Reader's Choice Tech, and many others. Additional information about Hillcrest's broad portfolio of motion control products is available at: www.HillcrestLabs.com. Follow Hillcrest on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/HillcrestLabs or Twitter @HillcrestLabs.

About SMK Electronics

SMK Electronics is the U.S. division of SMK Corporation, a world leader in the design, development and manufacture of OEM remote controls, with global production of greater than 70 million units annually. With local Research & Development operations in San Diego, California, its factory in Tijuana, Mexico, and in coordination with its worldwide SMK R&D Centers and global factories, SMK Electronics is uniquely positioned to provide the Consumer Electronics industry with advanced remote control solutions that support rich media, interactive content and advanced television features. For more information, visit www.smkusa.com.

Hillcrest Labs, Freespace, and MotionEngine are trademarks of Hillcrest Laboratories, Inc. Bluetooth® and Bluetooth Smart are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Windows® is a registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are properties of their respective owners.

JLM Partners Inc. for Hillcrest Labs
Renee Burch, 206-381-3600
renee@jlmpartners.com
or
Jeremy Pemble, 206-381-3600
jeremy@jlmpartners.com
or
SMK Electronics
Keith M. Roberts, 805-312-5546
kroberts@smkusa.com