GPS / SatNav / Mobile / Mapping Industry Press Releases

RobBrady

Press release: 16.12.08 TomTom announces five millionth Map Share™ improvement report

Community participation in TomTom’s proprietary map improvement technology grows 1,000% in less than a year

16 December 2008 - TomTom, the world’s leading navigation solutions provider, today announces that members of the TomTom Map Share community have made a total of five million map updates worldwide. This milestone is the result of the rapid adoption of TomTom’s proprietary technology by the TomTom Map Share community, which has grown from half a million users at the beginning of 2008 to more than five million users today.

TomTom is able to deliver the most up-to-date maps in a changing world by enlisting the help of its users worldwide. Map Share allows TomTom customers to make improvements to their map instantly on their TomTom navigation device. Once verified by TomTom moderators, these updates are made available to the entire Map Share community, ensuring TomTom customers always have access to the most up-to-date maps.

“From the beginning, we envisioned Map Share as a tool to help drivers contend with the frustration of unexpected road changes, and to be used between map updates,” said Corinne Vigreux, managing director, TomTom. “To put this five million milestone in perspective, a one-hour trip made anywhere in Europe or North America will be influenced by twenty to thirty Map Share corrections.

“The success of Map Share is also due to the fact that the improvements made are those that customers really care about, and that the community has taken the time to report and share these corrections.”

Map Share facts:

hundreds of thousands of street names have been added
almost one million roads that were incorrectly blocked (or open) are now included or excluded from TomTom routes
Map Share users in the UK, US and Germany make the most improvements

Steven New, a delivery driver from Northumberland, is the most regular and active user of TomTom Map Share in the UK. He commented: “With roads constantly changing, Map Share has become invaluable to my driving for work, which involves around 700 miles per week. It has helped to improve the efficiency of my hectic delivery schedule considerably. Where a road name or speed limit has changed, for example, I am able to correct this immediately and benefit from it during my daily and weekly routine. I’m also able to download the thousands of improvements made by other users, and share my Map Share changes with the rest of the TomTom community, so I am also helping other TomTom customers.”

TomTom’s complete map package, which includes high quality maps pre-installed on all products, TomTom’s latest map guarantee, the TomTom Map Update Service™ and Map Share, allows TomTom to provide customers with the most up-to-date and reliable maps in the industry.

Map Share corrections are available to TomTom customers via TomTom HOME software, which comes as standard with all TomTom devices.

TomTom Map Share is certified by the German TÜV SÜD for its efficiency, intuitiveness and reliability.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 16.12.08 In these “Interesting Times” What ISN'T Going to Happen in 2009

NEW YORK - December 16, 2008 -
For the fourth consecutive year, ABI Research puts a different twist on the traditional December activity of surveying the year just past and speculating about what the new one will bring, with a white paper titled "What’s Isn’t Going to Happen in 2009." The paper is available for free download from the company's website.

Given the global recession, lots of things won't happen in 2009, of course. So ABI Research's analysts focused on several of the company's core areas of expertise, including mobile marketing and mobile banking, near-field communication, digital media, IPTV, transportation, navigation and location based services, mobile phones and mobile telecoms, intellectual property, Wi-Fi, WiMAX and other networks, with a special look at Asia.

Any contrarian look at what won’t happen naturally sheds light on what might. While many markets are undeniably in turmoil, there are opportunities as well as challenges, and surprising bright spots amid the gloom.

Will mobile marketing hit the big time? No; but the mobile Internet is powering ahead and creating a foundation for the future.

Will IPTV replace traditional broadcast TV? Absolutely not. But some markets are robust and some providers are prospering.

Will the “location industry” get lost? No: in fact 2009’s climate may have a bracing effect in the longer term.

With its mix of expert opinion, informed assessments, and wry humor, "What’s Not Going to Happen in 2009" makes for a lively and informative read.

To download the white paper in Adobe PDF format, go to www.abiresearch.com and click on the “What Isn’t Going to Happen in 2009” ad button.

ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 16.12.08 Touch Screen BlackBerry Storm Now Runs ArcGIS Server

Dayton, OH. December 16, 2008 - With its new high resolution touch screen, big 3.2 megapixal camera, microSD memory card slot and unlocked GPS, the BlackBerry Storm is the perfect mobile platform for GIS. And with the ability to run ESRI ArcGIS Server software, the BlackBerry Storm can perform GIS tasks usually done with a laptop computer with an aircard. View live GIS maps, GPS field map points with digital photos, and track vehicles and personnel using Freeance Mobile software on the BlackBerry Storm to save time, money and resources.

Here are a few new Freeance Mobile Clients using ArcGIS Server software on BlackBerry smartphones:

Mobile Area Water and Sanitary – Using the Verizon BlackBerry Storm for accessing water and sanitary system maps in the field.

Kane County, Illinois – Planning to use the new Nextel Push to Talk BlackBerry 8350i for flood response and GIS field mapping.

Freeance Mobile is the only solution for having live access to your ArcGIS Server maps on BlackBerry smartphones. Low cost and quick to implement, Freeance Mobile allows you to create custom mobile applications that reduce the time and costs of working in the field.

About Freeance Mobile Software

Freeance Mobile allows organizations to save time and resources by bring GIS and business databases to the field on a low cost platform. You can now make your ArcGIS available to anyone, anywhere, anytime. Freeance Mobile is hassle-free software for users and IT administrators alike. Designed for the ESRI and Blackberry environments, Freeance Mobile is a well-balanced approach combining off-the-shelf simplicity with the ability to make your own custom applications. Visit http://www.Freeance.com/mobile for more information.

About TDC Group

TDC Group, Inc. develops the Freeance Web and Freeance Mobile software solutions. The Company serves government, utilities and corporate clients with useful, cost-effective and easy-to-use software that reduces the time and resources needed to deploy enterprise GIS and mobile applications.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 16.12.08 Networks in Motion Issued U.S. Patent for Graphical Sharing of Information

ALISO VIEJO, CA-- Networks In Motion (NIM), the award-winning wireless navigation, hyper-local search and location-based services (LBS) company with the largest mobile phone navigation subscriber base in North America, today announced that it has secured a U.S. patent related to the graphical sharing of information for mobile devices and personal computers.

“Networks In Motion prides itself on developing innovations that have the potential to revolutionize the gathering and consumption of information,” said Doug Antone, CEO and president of Networks In Motion. “We are especially proud of being issued our latest patent for graphically sharing information and how it simplifies the sharing of local and position information.”

Originally submitted to the U.S. Patent Office in 2003, the application has now been issued as U.S. Patent No. 7,271,742, entitled, “Method and apparatus for sending, retrieving and planning location relevant information.” This technology provides the means for receiving and sharing relevant location-based information using a graphical interface. This innovative process was developed to enhance the user experience within personal computers and a variety of communication devices such as mobile phones, in-vehicle navigation systems and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

In terms of actual implementation, icons representing users, friends and specific points-of-interest of the user’s choosing are graphically represented within the UI, based upon geographic location. To share the location of a new restaurant with a friend, the user simply graphically drags the graphical representation of the restaurant on top of a friend’s icon and releases. The location and directions to the restaurant can be instantly relayed to the respective mobile device. Networks In Motion’s patented technology holds unique social networking implications by seamlessly connecting entire social circles of friends and family, and it can be leveraged by today’s most popular social networking communities.

Additionally, the patented graphical interface makes it possible to manage a fleet of vehicles and distribute information with ease. For example, a local dispatcher could easily send continuously updated mapped routes, waypoints and instructions to any driver on the road simply by dragging and dropping the information over the driver’s icon.

NIM’s technology allows for creative application among consumer and enterprise markets as NIM’s customers and partners see fit. And, because of NIM’s existing infrastructure as a world-class LBS company, this technology can be easily integrated within its GPS applications and its NAVBuilder platform in order to make it easier for users to obtain information with greater speed and efficiency.

About Networks In Motion
Networks In Motion is an award-winning wireless navigation and local search company, with products on most major wireless carriers. Networks In Motion powers: AAA Mobile® on Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and Alltel Wireless; Verizon Wireless’ VZ Navigator; YellowPages.com Mobile, which is currently deployed on AT&T Alltel’s Axcess Mobile Guide navigator; U.S. Cellular’s Your Navigator; TELUS Navigator and TELUS Kid Find, making NIM’s NAVBuilder platform the most widely used mobile phone navigation service in North America. Founded in 2000, the company is privately held and headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif., with international offices in Sweden and Spain. More information is available at www.networksinmotion.com.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 16.12.08 VTI Technologies: Accurate Navigation Now Possible Without GPS

VTI Demonstrates Indoor Pedestrian Navigation using Sensors at CES 2009

2009 International CES

VANTAA, Finland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--VTI Technologies has announced a novel MEMS-based pedestrian navigation solution demonstrator. Making its debut at CES 2009, the small wearable device can track the position, speed and distance of a pedestrian. It relies solely on the information provided from the sensors within the device, and is thus ideal for navigating in areas when there is no GPS reception, such as indoors.

Enabled by VTI’s Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology and proprietary algorithms the system uses a VTI ultra-low power 3 axis accelerometer for computing the pedestrian's speed and distance. Drawing a mere 10µA of current this extremely low power consuming 3-axis acceleration sensor is ideal for use in small battery operated devices. The computed speed and distance information is passed on to a heading and position module which utilizes VTI's gyro technology, in addition to third-party magnetic sensor technology. The heading sensors' data, speed and distance are then transmitted over Bluetooth radio to a personal computer where the pedestrian's movements can be tracked on a map in real time.

"Sensor based navigation opens up exciting new possibilities for complementing traditional GPS navigation in situations where satellite coverage is unavailable, or where coverage so limited that the results will be inaccurate. You could e.g. extend location based services into shopping malls, or utilize it for security and sports performance monitoring applications" says Sten Stockmann, Marketing Director at VTI.

VTI will be showing this navigation demonstrator in its suite at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, January 8th through the 11th.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 16.12.08 Acacia Subsidiary Enters into License Agreement with GPS Insight, L.L.C.

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Acacia Research Corporation (Nasdaq:ACTG) announced today that its subsidiary, Telematics Corporation, has entered into a patent license agreement with GPS Insight, L.L.C. The Telematics technology generally relates to systems and methods for displaying mobile vehicle information on a map. This technology can be used in navigation and fleet management systems that combine wireless communication with GPS tracking and map displays. This agreement resolves patent litigation that was pending in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia.

ABOUT ACACIA RESEARCH CORPORATION

Acacia Research’s subsidiaries develop, acquire, and license patented technologies. Acacia Research’s subsidiaries control 100 patent portfolios, which include U.S. patents and certain foreign counterparts, covering technologies used in a wide variety of industries.

Information about Acacia Research is available at www.acaciatechnologies.com and www.acaciaresearch.com
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 17.12.08 Hügel GmbH and TeleAtlas Partner to Meet Middle Eastern GPS Device Demand

Increasing tourism, infrastructure projects in GCC countries spur development of navigation systems to route locals and visitors alike

DUBAI, U.A.E. & GENT, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--With the recently launched Point2Point personal navigation device, Middle Eastern consumer electronics leader Hügel GmbH and Tele Atlas, a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location-based solutions, are well positioned to meet the growing need for GPS devices in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Rapid economic growth across the GCC countries has increased tourism and expanded infrastructure projects, leaving locals, business visitors and tourists confused in an ever-changing network of new roads and points of interest. Growth is particularly marked in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Dubai is now the third largest re-export hub in the world and is a globally recognized shopping destination hosting millions of visitors each year. GPS devices recently launched in Dubai by Hügel are among the first in the region to ease traffic and simplify the search for new buildings.

The Hügel Point2Point Personal Navigation Device was developed based on intense market research and features user friendly software, simple yet stylish aesthetics and high grade hardware for trouble free operation. Clear Arabic and English voice prompts help motorists maintain focus while driving and support information is offered in multiple languages.

“We are delighted with the reception our products have received to date, and expect to expand beyond Dubai into the other GCC markets in the coming months,” said Massoud Aboohadi, Chief Executive Officer of Hügel GmbH’s UAE operation. “Map accuracy is foremost in the minds of consumers who must navigate their way through the complex GCC road infrastructure. We are pleased to partner with Tele Atlas to deliver the most up-to-date maps and points of interest wherever our customers travel in the Middle East.”

“The GCC market as a whole is ripe for navigation systems, with an affluent population, expanding road network and influx of foreign visitors,” said Filip Neirynck, Vice President of Consumer Sales in EMEA for Tele Atlas. “Given its deep knowledge of consumer requirements and its focus on innovation, Hügel has been an ideal partner to work with, and we look forward to expanding our partnership across the region.”

About Hügel

Hügel GmbH is an international organization based in Neuss, Germany with offices in South Asia and in the Middle East, in Dubai U.A.E. Hügel develops and delivers home appliances and consumer electronics, using advanced technology and international safety standards to create high quality products that provide customers with significant value and convenience. Hügel’s focus on advanced technology and high quality led to the development of its personal navigation device, where precise positioning and navigating from point to point is of utmost importance. As a philosophy and matter of policy, every product rolled out by Hügel GmbH is extensively tried and tested before being offered in the market to ensure the fullest customer satisfaction. For more information please visit www.hugelnav.com.

About TeleAtlas

TeleAtlas delivers the digital maps and dynamic content that power many of the world’s most essential navigation and location-based services (LBS). Through a combination of its own products and partnerships, Tele Atlas offers map coverage of more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company was founded in 1984 and has offices in 24 countries around the world. Today, Tele Atlas maps are developed with the insight of a community of millions of GPS system users worldwide, who are adding to the company’s unmatched network of sources to track and validate changes in real time, and deliver the best digital maps and dynamic content. For more information, visit www.teleatlas.com. Tele Atlas is a subsidiary of TomTom N.V.

TeleAtlas and the TeleAtlas logo are registered trademarks of TeleAtlas.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 17.12.08 TeleAtlas and CADTECH Deliver First Navigable Digital Maps of Morocco

Latest Solutions from Ndrive Feature TeleAtlas Data Linking North Africa with Europe

CASABLANCA, Morocco & GENT, Belgium--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TeleAtlas, a leading global provider of digital maps and dynamic content for navigation and location based solutions (LBS), and CADTECH, a Moroccan company specializing in geographical information systems and geolocalization applications, announced the availability of the first fully navigable digital databases of Morocco for personal navigation, wireless, Internet, automotive and enterprise navigation solutions companies worldwide. The maps, which enable navigation both within the country and from any point between Europe and Morocco, feature street-level coverage for Casablanca Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat and Tangier as well as the entire road and highway network for the country.

“The navigation era has officially begun in Morocco with Tele Atlas and its partners at the forefront, delivering the most comprehensive maps, navigation applications and LBS solutions,” said Filip Neirynck, Vice President of Consumer Sales in EMEA for Tele Atlas. “Expanding our coverage in North Africa demonstrates our commitment to consistently enhance our offerings and help make high quality navigation a reality for both consumers and enterprises anywhere in the world.”

The newly-released NDrive’s G280 navigation system is the first GPS device in Morocco to use Tele Atlas maps. Developed by personal navigation software, products and services leader NDrive, the G280 is a compact, dedicated navigation system featuring the latest NDrive software engine and a simple interface that helps people find destinations more quickly and easily. Matel, NDrive’s partner and the largest IT distributor in the region, plans to expand distribution for the G280 across North Africa.

“Our collaboration with Tele Atlas on all levels, from technical training to development, helped ensure we developed the highest quality digital maps of Morocco,” said Chemsedine o. SIDI-BABA from CADTECH. “With this foundation, we have the potential to foster new opportunities for map-based solutions in the e-tourism, fleet management, proximity information, road safety and voice guided navigation services markets.”

About Tele Atlas

Tele Atlas delivers the digital maps and dynamic content that power many of the world’s most essential navigation and location-based services (LBS). Through a combination of its own products and partnerships, Tele Atlas offers map coverage of more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The company was founded in 1984 and has offices in 24 countries around the world. Today, Tele Atlas maps are developed with the insight of a community of millions of GPS system users worldwide, who are adding to the company’s unmatched network of sources to track and validate changes in real time, and deliver the best digital maps and dynamic content. For more information, visit www.teleatlas.com. Tele Atlas is a subsidiary of TomTom N.V.

About CADTECH

CADTECH is a Moroccan company founded in 1995 by three engineers focused on developing geographic information systems and geomatic technology solutions. A long time partner of state institutions such as the Moroccan Post, the Civil Protection Department, the Department of Statistics and the Agency of Land Conservation, CADTECH is today expanding its business to focus on international companies such as Thales Alénia Space and Khan and Hill. It is also developing a transportation system for dangerous goods and creating a geolocalization system for tourism. A CADTECH listing on the Casablanca Stock Exchange is expected in 2009. For further information, visit www.cadtech.net.ma.

TeleAtlas and the TeleAtlas logo are registered trademarks of TeleAtlas.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 17.12.08 AuthenTec Expands Melbourne, Florida-Based Operations

MELBOURNE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AuthenTec (NASDAQ:AUTH), the world’s leading provider of fingerprint sensors and solutions, announced that it has completed an office consolidation and expansion of its Melbourne, Florida operations and headquarters location.

AuthenTec has shipped more than 40 million fingerprint sensors for enhanced user features like security, convenience, navigation and personalization in PCs, cell phones, GPS devices and other consumer products. AuthenTec products are based on the Company's patented TruePrint® technology to deliver extremely accurate and reliable fingerprint imaging. TruePrint reads below the surface of the skin to the live layer, where a person's true fingerprint resides. This unique subsurface approach enables AuthenTec sensors to overcome common skin surface conditions to read virtually every fingerprint, every time.

The Company’s full-time staff has grown by more than 80 percent in the past three years, from 77 to 130 worldwide including 95 in Melbourne. AuthenTec recently consolidated two Melbourne operations into one newly expanded office location at 100 Rialto Place.

“Our new and expanded facilities at Rialto Place will allow us to work better together as a single, cohesive local team to continue to make AuthenTec products and touch-based technology a ubiquitous part of our everyday lives,” said AuthenTec Chairman and CEO Scott Moody. “Melbourne is a great location for a technology company like AuthenTec, offering a great environment and business climate for recruiting talent and maintaining a strong technical workforce. We appreciate the support of the Rialto Place management and staff in accommodating our growing team, and we look forward to achieving many more milestones in our newly renovated location.”

“Homegrown and a global leader in a highly innovative field, the importance of AuthenTec’s continued growth extends beyond typical economic development parameters,” said Lynda L. Weatherman, President and CEO, Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast. “AuthenTec is a leader in an innovative field and their designation as the world’s leader in fingerprint sensors serves to help increase the area’s presence as a technology hub. The investments this company makes both locally and globally have a positive ripple effect on Brevard County’s economy. AuthenTec employs highly skilled associates executing highly critical work, the type of positions any community covets.”

AuthenTec recently signed a multi-year lease with the Rialto Place and has expanded its total office space from 28,000 square-feet at two locations to one location with 37,000 square-feet for offices, a test floor and packaging, reliability and applications labs. The Rialto Place location serves as the Company’s headquarters and its U.S. base of operations for silicon design, and packaging development, software creation, marketing, finance/accounting, and executive administration. The Company also has a large design, applications and software center in Shanghai, a sales office and application center in Tokyo, as well as other sales and application locations worldwide.

About AuthenTec

With more than 40 million sensors sold worldwide, AuthenTec is a world leader in providing fingerprint authentication sensors and solutions to the high-volume PC, wireless device, and access control markets. AuthenTec's award-winning sensors take full advantage of The Power of Touch® by utilizing the company's patented TruePrint® technology to deliver the most convenient, reliable and cost-effective means available for enabling touch-powered features that extend beyond user authentication.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 17.12.08 Sprint Launches Open Location Platform with WaveMarket and WHERE

Third-party developers can use platforms to create location-based applications, continuing Sprint's commitment to open approach

OVERLAND PARK, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sprint® (NYSE: S) today announced that it is enhancing its industry-leading open approach by partnering with location aggregation platforms Veriplace™ by WaveMarket (www.wavemarket.com) and WHERETM by uLocate Communications (www.where.com) to help developers create new location-based services for Sprint customers. These platforms protect the privacy and security of Sprint customers while offering third-party mobile, Web, WAP, SMS and widget developers a consistent way to create applications that use the customer’s location information to provide customized information and services, as long as permission has been provided.

“We’re excited to help application developers create innovative location services for Sprint customers by working with these platform enablers,” said Len Barlik, vice president of wireless and wireline services for Sprint. “The privacy and security of our users is the highest priority for us, which is why we selected Veriplace and WHERE. Both platforms have powerful but intuitive privacy systems that ensure the appropriate permissions are obtained prior to accessing location information.”

Both platforms provide developers with simple, powerful tools to create and launch location-enabled applications, reducing the difficulty of certifying and on-boarding applications that use GPS, triangulation and other location services while protecting customer privacy.

Veriplace, WaveMarket’s Location Aggregation Platform, was built using the same privacy and security model that for years has protected Sprint phones using the Sprint Family Locator service. Third-party developers can access a handset’s location via a consistent, standards-based Web-service API (Application Programming Interface), while Veriplace handles identity, authentication and permissions. For more information, please visit http://developer.wavemarket.com.

“Trust, privacy and control are all core to Veriplace, as they have always been for the Sprint Family Locator application,” said Tasso Roumeliotis, CEO of WaveMarket. “We’re pleased to partner with Sprint to extend the huge potential of LBS to more application developers.”

Through an existing partnership, Sprint subscribers already have access to a wealth of LBS applications in WHERE. With the extension of the two companies’ relationship, third-party developers will now be able to location-enable their applications, WAP sites, Web sites and SMS campaigns through a simple Web-service API. For more information, please visit http://developer.where.com.

“We are delighted to team up with Sprint again to empower the use of network-based location in innovative new applications,” said Walt Doyle, CEO of WHERE. “As an aggregator for the Sprint network, we are extending the breadth and depth of LBS to more developers who want to create applications for Sprint subscribers.”

Web, WAP, SMS and mobile application developers can learn more about how to create applications for Sprint phones using location information by visiting the Sprint developer site at http://developer.sprint.com.

Sprint is committed to offering mobile content and applications to its customers when, where and how they want them:

Sprint has employed an open Internet approach, and the Sprint Application Developer Program has been providing tools for third-party developers since Sprint first launched the Wireless Web on its phones in 2001.

Sprint held its eighth annual application developer conference Dec. 10-12.
Through relationships with third parties, hundreds of non-Sprint-branded applications, games and other digital media may be downloaded from the mobile Internet to operate on Sprint phones.

More than 200 different non-Sprint-branded devices, from machine-to-machine to telemetry, operate on the Sprint network through a widely respected device certification process.

Sprint is a member the Open Handset Alliance, along with more than 30 other participating companies, supporting the free and open mobile applications platform named Android.

About Sprint Nextel

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving nearly 51 million customers at the end of the third quarter 2008; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

About WaveMarket

WaveMarket Inc., headquartered in Emeryville, Calif., is a world leader in mobile location-based platform and services, offering a software product suite that includes both white-label application solutions and its industry-leading location aggregation platform, Veriplace™. With more than a half-dozen commercial deployments in the United States, Canada, and Latin America, WaveMarket’s white-label solutions include its industry-leading family finder, search, and asset tracker, and the Veriplace™ Location Aggregation Platform, which provides powerful privacy and security systems to allow carriers to offer 3rd party developers location access without having to certify each application on a case-by-base basis. WaveMarket’s mobile platform components include turn-by-turn navigation, mobile social networking and dynamic tiled mapping, all designed to be commercially deployed with partner brands such as the WaveMarket-designed and engineered Ask Mobile GPS. Marketing to brands and mobile carriers in the United States, Europe and Asia, WaveMarket's customers include top tier North American carriers Sprint Nextel, Alltel, Bell Mobility, Aliant and MTS Allstream, Vivo in Brazil, and SK Telecom, South Korea's leading wireless carrier. Founded in 2000, the company is financed by a group that includes Draper Fisher Jurvetson, QUALCOMM Ventures, BlueRun Ventures (formerly Nokia Venture Partners), Intel Capital, and Mitsui Ventures. For more information, visit http://www.wavemarket.com.

About WHERE™

WHERE connects consumers with people, places and things through the power of location. Whether finding friends in a crowded city, locating the lowest gas prices, satisfying a craving for a latte or scoring tickets to a local show, it’s all about navigating your world. WHERE lets consumers personalize their mobile experience while exploring and sharing interests with friends. Whatever your pursuits, WHERE delivers the best in local information from Eventful, Yelp, GasBuddy, Zipcar, ShopLocal, Starbucks, Buddy Beacon® and more. For more information, visit www.where.com.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 17.12.08 Numonyx Introduces New Line-Up of NAND Flash Memories for Wireless, Embedded and Storage Applications

New Devices Target High-Density eMMC* and microSD* Solutions; Built on Advanced 41nm Technology

GENEVA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Continuing to deliver a comprehensive portfolio of NOR, NAND, RAM and PCM (phase change memory) solutions, Numonyx B.V. today launched a series of new NAND flash memory devices for use in wireless, embedded and data storage applications. These include up to 32 Gb (gigabits) multi-level cell (MLC) NAND, 32 GB (gigabytes) eMMC* and up to 8 GB microSD* products fabricated on the advanced 41nm process technology. The new products will provide manufacturers of mobile phones, personal navigation devices, and other consumer electronics with easy-to-manage and simple-to-design memory solutions and will give consumers significantly more room on their devices to store pictures, videos, songs and operate popular multimedia applications.

NAND memory continues to be one of the largest segments of the semiconductor industry, driven primarily by the high levels of digital content found in everything from set-top boxes to mobile phones. The new products announced today allows Numonyx to add leading MLC and SLC NAND, managed NAND, and NAND cards to its breadth of memory subsystem solutions – multi-chip packages, software and firmware elements – for a distinct competitive advantage.

“We have accelerated our Numonyx NAND offerings to industry-leading levels,” said Fabio Gualandris, vice president and general manager of the Data Business Group at Numonyx. “With the new 41nm technology NAND products, Numonyx will bring further value to our wireless and embedded customers, as well as eventually enter new segments specifically dedicated to data storage, with leading technology and high density memory. When combined with Numonyx NOR and cost-effective DRAM, the Numonyx NAND portfolio bolsters Numonyx into a unique position to offer the right mix of technologies at the right densities for the right application.”

Numonyx NAND: A Broad Portfolio Now Using Advanced Technology

With today’s news, Numonyx brings the advantages of the advanced 41nm technology to popular product solutions and densities many customers require. These include stand-alone and multi-chip package MLC products at densities of 16Gb to 32Gb; e-MMC managed NAND products from 2GB up to 32GB; and microSD removable cards from 2GB to 8GB. Numonyx also introduced a 48nm SLC 1Gb NAND product to better provide its embedded and wireless customers with higher performing, more secure and longer lasting memory solutions.

Meeting Needs for High-Density Managed NAND

To meet the needs of the managed NAND segment – memories with a controller function that manages basic control functions for NAND applications – Numonyx is introducing 41nm managed NAND flash memory devices. The new products are well suited for global positioning systems and other applications requiring large amounts of easy-to-manage storage. Current wireless customers making feature rich mobile phones will also benefit from the combination of managed NAND and RAM in a multi-chip package solution.

Among comparable solutions, the 32GB eMMC from Numonyx is the highest density available in the industry and is fully compliant with JEDEC eMMC version 4.3 standards, simplifying development and design for manufacturers. The eMMC 32GB can store up 16,000 high resolution digital photos, 8,000 songs, and up 20 hours of high definition videos. The new 32GB embedded devices combine eight 32Gbit NAND chips which are integrated with a dedicated controller. To meet the requirements of wireless and other battery-operated mobile devices, the device supports a temperature range of -25 °C up to +85 °C and dual voltage power supply at 1.7V-1.95V and 2.7V-3.6V. Samples of the 32GB density will be available in January 2009.

Added Data Storage Options with Numonyx microSD Solutions

The requirements for more and more digital content have spurred many mobile phone makers to include a microSD card for added storage. To meet this need, Numonyx will offer microSD cards to its mobile phone customers in densities from 2GB to 8GB. MicroSD cards are designed for slot-equipped legacy mobile phones and can hold a maximum capacity of 2GB. Today’s microSDHC™ cards are available in 4GB and 8GB (SDA Speed Class 6), and are ideal for newer mobile phone models, most of which are compatible with these higher capacity cards.

Numonyx 48nm 1Gb SLC NAND for Added Security, Performance and Longer Life

To help protect data from malicious attack or applications from being modified unintentionally, the Numonyx 48nm 1Gb SLC NAND includes an extra 128 Kbytes One-Time Programmable (OTP) block to help ensure that data stored on it cannot be modified or corrupted. In addition, the Numonyx 1Gb SLC NAND significantly improves memory performance, doubling the speed at which the device reads data from 13MB per seconds to 26MB per second. At 48nm, Numonyx 1Gb SLC NAND program operations move four times faster and erase operations are eight times faster than 90nm devices – resulting in more powerful applications and a better user experience.

Lastly, to help extend memory life, the Numonyx 48nm 1Gb SLC NAND delivers the standard ECC option of 1 bit per each 528 bytes of address space, allowing easy migration for applications requiring 1 bit ECC without software upgrades or hardware changes. The Numonyx 48nm 1Gb NAND device is produced on 300mm processes, providing its customer base with a long-life supply. Samples of the product are currently available.

About Numonyx

Numonyx designs and manufactures a full complement of integrated NOR, NAND, RAM and phase change non-volatile memory technologies and products to meet the increasingly sophisticated needs of customers in the cellular, data and embedded markets. Numonyx combines the technology and manufacturing expertise of the flash memory divisions of Intel Corporation and STMicroelectronics, and is dedicated to providing high density, low power memory technologies and packaging solutions to a global base of customers. Additional information about Numonyx is available at www.numonyx.com.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 17.12.08 Visteon and Immersion Sign License Agreement for Advanced Touch Technology in Vehicles

Consumer-Focused Vehicle Touch Feedback Controls Targeted by 2010

Immersion’s TouchSense haptics technology provides confirming touch feedback for electronic controls including touchscreens and touch surfaces. Use of these controls as the primary interface mechanism in portable consumer electronics devices such as personal navigation devices, mobile phones, media players, and game consoles is on the rise. Further, independent research has shown that haptics can increase user speed and accuracy, reduce complication and stress, and improve user satisfaction. In vehicles, haptics can assist drivers by reducing glance time and decreasing driver distraction, which promotes safety.

2009 International CES
Booth CP13

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Immersion Corporation (NASDAQ:IMMR), the leading developer and licensor of touch feedback technology (http://www.immersion.com/corporate/), has signed an agreement awarding Visteon Corporation, a leading global automotive supplier, a license for Immersion’s TouchSense® technology.

The agreement advances the working relationship for developing and commercializing several types of haptic-enabled controls for applications throughout the car interior by 2010. As automotive electronics continue to evolve to address increased user interface complexity, Visteon intends to develop innovative TouchSense-enabled products to satisfy design and market demands. Concepts integrating Immersion's TouchSense technology will be demonstrated at Visteon's exhibit during the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Jan. 8-11, 2009, at booth CP13 in the Central Plaza.

Steve Meszaros, president of Visteon’s electronics product group, said: “Visteon’s innovative TouchSense-enabled solutions will satisfy design and market demands for electronic controls in vehicles that provide touch sensations and feedback similar to what consumers are accustomed to experiencing with portable electronics devices. This is part of an ongoing trend to integrate consumer electronics and the characteristics of personal devices into the vehicle.”

“Visteon is known for its innovative industry collaborations that give it first-to-market solutions,” said Chuck Joseph, senior vice president and general manager, Immersion Touch Interface Products group. “By collaborating with Immersion on haptic button packs, displays, and control modules, Visteon is rapidly responding to market trends as part of its commitment to designing electronic controls and experiences for the future.”

The proliferation of portable consumer devices for communication, entertainment, and information, as well as increased capabilities within the car, creates more potential distraction for drivers. At the same time, consumers have grown more sophisticated, requiring more innovative, distinctive, and higher quality products. To answer this demand, the human-machine interface (HMI) must evolve to help drivers do more without increasing distraction. A consistent, intuitive, ergonomic HMI designed for the automotive environment that can integrate and build on the familiar aspects of consumer devices is Visteon’s vision for the vehicle.

About Visteon (www.visteon.com)

Visteon Corporation is a leading global automotive supplier that designs, engineers and manufactures innovative climate, interior, electronic and lighting products for vehicle manufacturers, and also provides a range of products and services to aftermarket customers. With corporate offices in Van Buren Township, Mich. (U.S.); Shanghai, China; and Kerpen, Germany; the company has facilities in 27 countries and employs approximately 35,500 people.

About Immersion (www.immersion.com)

Founded in 1993, Immersion Corporation is the recognized leader in developing, licensing, and marketing digital touch technology and products. Using Immersion’s advanced touch feedback technology (http://www.immersion.com/corporate), electronic user interfaces are more compelling, entertaining, and in many applications, safer and more productive. Immersion’s technology has helped manufacturers develop innovative and creative solutions for products such as hundreds of video games and leading video console gaming systems, medical training simulators installed around the world, driver controls for automotive manufacturers, and mobile phones, such as those from LG and Samsung. Immersion’s patent portfolio includes over 700 issued or pending patents in the U.S. and other countries.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 17.12.08 NEC Electronics Extends Support for Automotive Audio and Navigation Control Systems with New 32-Bit Microcontrollers Boasting Industry’s Highest Built-In Flash Memory Capacity

New V850E/Sx3-H Microcontrollers Offer 1.5 Megabytes of Flash Memory, Improved CPU Performance and Integrated Noise-Reduction Circuitry

KAWASAKI, Japan & DUESSELDORF, Germany & SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Leading 32-bit microcontroller supplier NEC Electronics Corporation has reaffirmed its commitment to the automotive market by expanding support for audio and navigation applications with its new V850E/Sx3-H™ microcontrollers (MCUs). Based on the company’s well-established V850E1™ core, the new V850E/Sx3-H devices offer the industry’s highest flash memory capacity for 32-bit MCUs, in addition to improved CPU performance for today’s audio and infotainment systems. These improvements, together with a small 0.5 millimeter pin-pitch QFP package, make the new devices ideally suited for use in high-functionality, high-performance automotive radios, compact disc systems, DVD systems, USB/SD card readers and digital terrestrial broadcast equipment.

“In car audio and navigation systems, we are seeing a migration toward consumer electronics-based technologies such as USB, SD card and Bluetooth®, in response to growing user demands for smooth transitions between in-car and out-of-car experiences,” said Shinichi Iwamoto, vice president, microcomputer operations unit, NEC Electronics Corporation. “In turn, car manufacturers are demanding MCUs with more built-in memory capacity and lower radiated noise to support the significant increase in software that these media require. Our new V850E/Sx3-H devices enable automotive designers to meet these goals, offering industry-leading memory capacity and improved CPU performance while adhering to strict reliability constraints.”

Augmenting the company’s existing V850ES/SG3™ and V850ES/SJ3™ MCUs, the newest devices in NEC Electronics’ S Series consist of two lineups: the V850E/SJ3-H™ and the V850E/SK3-H™. In addition to 1.5 megabytes (MB) of flash memory, 1.5 times more capacity than V850ES/Sx3 devices, the V850E/Sx3-H MCUs can execute 85 Dhrystone MIPS at a clock speed of 48 megahertz (MHz), compared to 32 MHz by existing devices. These improvements allow the MCUs to store more software for system control while speeding up software execution time.

For improved reliability, integrated built-in spread spectrum clock generators (SSCG) reduce the MCU clock’s oscillation (fundamental) and higher frequencies, which helps to reduce the risk of degraded radio performance and chip errors. This also decreases the resources required to evaluate and investigate electromagnetic interference (EMI) in anti-EMI components, allowing designers to lower system development costs and shorten development time. Pin layouts and software in the new devices are backward compatible with those in V850ES/SG3 and V850ES/SJ3 models, making it easy for design engineers to leverage existing design assets to avoid incurring additional costs. Serial interface channels include eight UART channels, eight CSI channels and six I2C channels that allow designers to support a larger number of media types.

More information about NEC Electronics V850E/Sx3-H MCUs can be found at http://www.necel.com/micro/en/promotion/v850/sx3-h.html.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of the new MCUs are available now. The six V850E/SJ3-H MCUs are available in 144-pin QFP packages. The three V850E/SK3-H MCUs are available in 176-pin QFP packages. Mass production is scheduled to begin in November 2009. Prices will vary depending on memory, package and pin configurations. For example, the V850E/SK3-H, with 1.5 MB of flash memory and 92 kilobytes of RAM in a 176-pin quad flat package (QFP), will be priced at US$20 each in 10,000-unit quantities. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Commitment to the Automotive Market

NEC Electronics is dedicated to serving the needs of automotive customers and offers a wide range of MCUs and power management devices (PMDs) for use in automotive applications. In addition, the company’s zero-defects initiative has resulted in industry-leading MCU quality levels, while error-correction code (ECC) ensures flash memory-based MCU reliability. On a worldwide basis, NEC Electronics Corporation was rated the number one supplier of 32-bit MCUs in 2007, according to the Gartner Dataquest March 2008 rankings report.

About NEC Electronics Corporation

NEC Electronics Corporation (TSE: 6723) specializes in semiconductor products encompassing advanced technology solutions for the high-end computing and broadband networking markets; system solutions for the mobile handset, PC peripheral, automotive and digital consumer markets; and multi-market solutions for a wide range of customer applications. NEC Electronics Corporation has subsidiaries worldwide including NEC Electronics America, Inc. (www.am.necel.com) and NEC Electronics (Europe) GmbH (www.eu.necel.com). More information about NEC Electronics worldwide can be found at www.necel.com.

NEC Electronics, NEC Electronics America, V850E/Sx3-H, V850E1, V850ES/SG3, V850ES/SJ3, V850E/SJ3-H, V850E/SK3-H and All Flash are trademarks or registered trademarks of NEC Electronics Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc. All other marks are property of their respective owners.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: Trimble Announces Keynote Speakers for International User Conference

Location: Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Trimble Announces Keynote Speakers for International User Conference
Trimble Dimensions 2009— Positioning for Success Today. And Tomorrow.

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 16, 2008 — Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today the keynote speakers for its International User Conference—Trimble Dimensions 2009. The conference, which will be held February 23-25, 2009 at the Mirage Hotel in Las Vegas, focuses on applying technology to meet the daily needs faced by surveying, engineering, construction, mapping, Geographic Information System (GIS), geospatial and mobile resource management professionals.

Your Success is Our Business. Steven W. Berglund, president and CEO of Trimble, will discuss how vision and innovation has changed the landscape for surveyors, contractors, engineers and geospatial professionals to transform the way work is done. The rapid development of technology has created an environment of convergence, a philosophy which has been embraced by Trimble for more than 30 years and is the foundation for its business. Maximizing value through innovation is fundamental to identifying new growth opportunities, increasing productivity, saving money and gaining a competitive edge in today's challenging times…and tomorrow—our customer’s success is Trimble's business.

Get Out of the Box to Facilitate Change. Dr. Robert Kriegel teaches bold, innovative, “out of the box” strategies for keeping ahead of the changes, challenges and competition in today’s dynamic marketplace. Author of the international bestseller: If it ain’t broke…BREAK IT!, Dr. Kriegel has been called by U.S. News & World Report one of this country’s leading authorities in the field of change and human performance. His book, Sacred Cows Make The Best Burgers, made Business Week’s bestseller list. His latest book about innovation and “out of the box” thinking is How to Succeed in Business Without Working so Damn Hard.

Rev Up and Reinvent for Success. Former Chairman of Harley Davidson, author of national best-seller More Than a Motorcycle and Harvard Business Review article Leadership U-Turn, Richard Teerlink advocates a "participative change" model as the only way meaningful reinvention can succeed. When Richard Teerlink joined Harley-Davidson the company had a poor reputation, falling market share and faced significant losses. Teerlink and a small band of executives undertook an awe-inspiring corporate revolution within Harley that would ultimately create a world-class motorcycle company, inspire a nation of devoted fans and solidify Harley’s lasting prominence in the motorcycle industry. Teerlink’s unshakeable belief that people were the most important resource in any company would prove to be the guiding force. Teerlink inspires and gives practical, relevant insight from his 18 years at Harley-Davidson where he fostered change that saved the brand from extinction.

Experience and Innovation—Keys to Exploring New Frontiers. Dr. Steve Squyres uses his Mars Exploration Rover (MER) mission experience to discuss key aspects of management techniques such as innovation, creativity, and teamwork to create an environment of success. He is a Goldwin Smith Professor of Astronomy at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, and is the principal investigator for the science payload on the MER Project. He earned his Ph.D. from Cornell in 1981 and is a former student of the late Carl Sagan. Dr. Squyres has participated in many of NASA’s planetary exploration missions, including the Voyager mission to Jupiter and Saturn, the Magellan mission to Venus, and the Near Earth Asteroid Rendezvous mission. His book, Roving Mars: Spirit, Opportunity, and the Exploration of the Red Planet (2005) became a Disney IMAX film narrated by Steve and the late Paul Newman.

The theme of Trimble Dimensions 2009—Positioning for Success Today. And Tomorrow—provides insight into how surveying, engineering, construction, mapping, GIS, geospatial and mobile resource management professionals worldwide can harness the power of today’s technology to help face tomorrow’s challenges. Attendees will have the opportunity to network with key industry leaders, develop new contacts, build partnerships, discuss opportunities and discover how to overcome obstacles in today’s competitive business environment. With more than 300 sessions across multiple specialty tracks, the conference will focus on increasing productivity in the field and the office to transform the way work is done.

Attendees of Trimble Dimensions 2009 will:

• Gain insight from keynote presentations delivered by respected leaders and innovators in their industries
• Engage in comprehensive and unbiased knowledge sharing with more than 300 sessions—from keynotes to breakout sessions to hands-on training—across multiple tracks focused on your professional and business needs
• Visit the Dimensions Partner Pavilion, where over 30 vendors and partners will showcase and demonstrate their latest innovations
• Meet and compare notes with colleagues and potential business partners throughout the industry
• Choose from hundreds of designated educational sessions that qualify for career-advancing Professional Development Hours

The Partners Pavilion will showcase the complete suite of Trimble construction, survey, engineering, aerial and mobile mapping, GIS and infrastructure solutions, including products from Applanix, Crain, Geo 3D, INPHO, Meridian Systems, Pacific Crest, Quantm, RolleiMetric, SECO, Tripod Data Systems (TDS), TopoSys and XYZ Solutions. Highlighted solutions and technologies include GPS; total stations; field computing and data collection; 3D scanning; pre-design construction planning; 3D visualization; construction project management; aerial mapping; wireless communications; data transfer; and field and office software applications. Other technology providers who are Trimble partners will also participate in the conference to extend the conference’s range of products and applications.

To find out more about Dimensions 2009 speakers, sessions and see other details about the conference agenda, visit: www.trimbleevents.com

About Trimble

Trimble applies technology to make field and mobile workers in businesses and government significantly more productive. Solutions are focused on applications requiring position or location—including surveying, construction, agriculture, fleet and asset management, public safety and mapping. In addition to utilizing positioning technologies, such as GPS, lasers and optics, Trimble solutions may include software content specific to the needs of the user. Wireless technologies are utilized to deliver the solution to the user and to ensure a tight coupling of the field and the back office. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., Trimble has a worldwide presence with more than 3,800 employees in over 18 countries.

For more information, visit: www.trimble.com.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 18.12.08 Navigon MobileNavigator 7: The latest version of Navigon’s award-winning software is now available for mobile devices

Rapid route calculation and increased features offer much more value than most navigation systems for Smartphones and PDA’s. The new MobileNavigator 7 software transforms your GPS enabled Windows Mobile or Symbian device into a first-class navigation system and is available in the NAVIGON online shop as of now. The price: £89.99 including map data for the whole of Europe

London, 18th December 2008 – If you want to get quickly from A to B, there's one thing you're definitely not prepared to do: wait. Well, you don't have to. From today, the new MobileNavigator 7 offers speed in navigation for GPS enabled Windows Mobile and Symbian devices. The new software calculates the planned route more quickly and functions such as Text-to-Speech, Traffic, Lane Assistant, Reality View, and Speed Assistant make your journey even safer. “With our new software, we combine unprecedented precision in route guidance with unbelievable speed,” says Peter Blampied, Country Manager UK & Ireland, NAVIGON.

The latest Text-to-Speech function will tell you which way to go at each junction plus give you the right road name. Over two million Points of Interest (POI’s) across 40 European countries are directly stored in the software. Speed limit information helps you stay safe. The Lane Assistant feature helps you at complex junctions and Reality view displays signpost information as it appears in real-life at motorway exits.
On top of this, additional ‘Live’ services are also available for the first time: You can now book your hotel from the comfort of your car or find out what the weather is like at almost any European destination. "Thanks to our co-operation with HRS and the weather service Foreca.com, our new software can do more than simply get you to your destination," continued Peter Blampied. "Our users receive up-to-date additional information which goes way beyond mere navigation."

Whether you need the weather forecast or a hotel reservation: NAVIGON has pre-installed these services for free on the MobileNavigator 7. Calling up instant current information on the PDA display can incur costs, depending on your mobile phone contract.

In addition users can access services for Traffic information and a Safety Camera database.

Finally for Symbian OS users there is a real treat for pedestrian navigation. The new Pedestrian features give a rich experience for those users who prefer to travel on foot.

From today, the MobileNavigator 7 including maps for Europe is available for download in the NAVIGON online shop for £89.99 or for just £69.99 if you are happy with UK and Ireland maps only. If you wanted to bring your maps up to date or upgrade to Europe at a later stage then a 24-month subscription through NAVIGON ‘FreshMaps’ is available for £79.99. For further information on the MobileNavigator 7, NAVIGON Fresh and FreshMaps, go to www.navigon.com.

About NAVIGON:
NAVIGON AG is one of the leading suppliers of navigation systems worldwide. NAVIGON produces its own portable navigation devices and, through partnerships with well-known manufacturers of entertainment electronic equipment, stands for superior quality GPS navigation for pocket PCs, PNDs and mobile phones. Furthermore, NAVIGON offers professional navigation solutions such as driver assistance components for OEM suppliers in the motor vehicle industry. NAVIGON was founded in 1991, employs more than 400 staff and has offices in Asia, Europe and North America. - NAVIGON. And the world is yours.
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Robert Brady

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