RNS Number:0417O
NXT PLC
29 July 2003

29 July 2003


                                    NXT plc


  NXT and Synaptics to develop integrated audio solutions for laptop computers
                         using SurfaceSound technology


NXT plc, today announces that it has entered into a General License agreement
with Synaptics, a leader in touch pads and other human interface solutions for
mobile computing and communications devices, to license its SurfaceSound flat
panel loudspeaker technology.


Under the agreement, the two companies will work together to integrate NXT's
audio technology with Synaptics' capacitive sensing technology to develop a
TouchPadTM which will double as the loudspeaker on laptop computers.


"Our relationship with NXT is another example of Synaptics providing leading
interface solutions to the notebook market," said Synaptics' general manager,
Don Kirby.


"This strategic relationship allows us to continue to create unique user
interface solutions that add value to our PC customers and end users."


Synaptics currently serves the world's top laptop OEMs, and more than half of
the laptops shipped today include a Synaptics interface solution.


Commenting on the new agreement NXT's CEO, David Pearson, said: "NXT's long-term
strategy continues to focus on partnering with industry leaders in
commercialising our technologies. Synaptics, which has a reputation as an
inventive and trusted technology partner, is a market leader in its field, and
has significant market-share in its product areas.


"Our alliance with first-movers such as NEC, Philips, 3M, Pioneer, and now
Synaptics - which pioneered the laptop touch pad business - is a result of our
management team's focus on this strategy."


NXT's revenue is generated via its licensing and royalty business. The company
operates two types of licensing agreements, 'General' and 'User'. The 'General'
Licence covers the manufacture of loudspeaker units or key components containing
NXT technology and requires a manufacturer to pay an upfront fee and subsequent
royalty on each unit it produces. The exact costs are dependent on the field of
use for the licence and quantities sold. A 'User' Licence, which is free, covers
NXT's rules regarding product marking and copyright.


ENDS


For further information, please contact:

NXT UK Press Office                                    Tel: 020 7343 4764 or
                                                       Tel: 020 7343 4796

Nick Lockwood / Paula Crymble                          Tel: 020 7878 3181
Capital MS&L




About NXT


NXT's business is the invention, patenting, licensing and marketing of enabling
technologies in sound and speech. NXT is setting a new world-standard in
loudspeakers. It offers a superior alternative to existing technologies across
most product sectors while creating new opportunities where conventional
technology has been unable to deliver. NXT has developed industry-specific
expertise and is focused on helping its licensees advance product to market
efficiently and cost effectively.


NXT has more than 250 licensees for its patented SurfaceSound(R) flat panel
loudspeaker technology. Licensees include 3M, Acer Computers, Armstrong,
Authentic (mainly owned by NEC), DaimlerChrysler, Fujitsu Ten, General Motors,
Intier, LG Electronics, Matsushita MEI, Philips, Pioneer, Siemens, Sony Ericsson
Mobile Communications, TDK and Visteon. The company, which is fully listed on
the London Stock Exchange (symbol NTX), has Technology Centres in Cambridge and
Malvern and operations in London, Yokohama, Hong Kong, California, Taiwan and
Detroit.

For more information about NXT: www.nxtsound.com.


About Synaptics Incorporated


Synaptics develops advanced interface solutions for products as diverse as
notebook and desktop computers, mobile computing and communications devices,
automotive applications and security solutions. Synaptics products include:
TouchPadTM, the industry standard notebook pointing device; ClearPadTM, a
capacitive touch screen solution; TouchStykTM, a modular capacitive pointing
stick solution; Spiral(R), an inductive, proximity sensing pen input system;
cPadTM, an LCD TouchPad; TouchScreen, a capacitive touch solution for large
displays; and QuickStroke(R), a proprietary Chinese handwriting recognition
software. More information about Synaptics can be found on the World Wide Web at
www.synaptics.com.


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
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