Industry Update By Wes Phillips August 29, 2005 — Imerge merged: Linear, LLC (Carlsbad, CA, USA) has acquired Imerge, Ltd. (Cambridge, UK), one of Europe's top providers of Internet-connected, hard disk-based audio products and media appliances. (Imerge's relational XiVA-Link database software is used in such products as the Linn Kivor media server.) Linear is best known for its engineered radio-frequency (RF) products and as a major supplier of wireless residential security systems, intercoms, garage door operators, gate operators, short- and long-range radio remote controls, and medical/emergency reporting systems. In recent years the company, through acquisition, has expanded into consumer electronics, home entertainment products, and structured wiring systems for the builder market. Imerge will join Linear's Home Technology Group.

XstreamRadio brings you the world: The price is right for XstreamRadio, a small, convenient desktop radio freeware program, which gives you access to over 700 international radio stations. The press release that hit our desktop this week claims, "The release of this 2MB package, with an easy recording feature for MP3 playback, has been a hit in the Netherlands since launched ... in the beginning of this year....The free software enables you to browse hundreds of station from all over the world with a simple click. Recording music or shows is just as easy."

The press release invites consumers to "download XstreamRadio (www.xstreamradio.co.uk) now and discover the many possibilities of this useful software totally for free. No spyware, no catches and easy to uninstall."

It does not support Apple's OSX, so we haven't sampled it—we're just sayin', is all.

Harman acquires PhatNoise: Harman International, the maker of high-end audio equipment, announced today that it has acquired the assets and customer business of PhatNoise, Inc., a Los Angeles–based developer of integrated digital media systems for the automotive environment.

Gina Harman, president of the Harman Consumer Group, said, "PhatNoise is a remarkably talented organization focused on developing innovative solutions for acquiring, organizing, and enjoying digital media in the car. In its six-year history, the company has defined the leading edge of digital media systems in the automotive market and counts Kenwood, General Motors, Volvo, Mazda, Volkswagen, and Audi among its customers."

Harman's automotive division was credited with an important role in the company's record Q4 2005 fiscal report. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.