GPS / SatNav / Mobile / Mapping Industry Press Releases

RobBrady

Press release: 02.10.08 Proporta keep your 2G iPod classic safe and sound

Proporta have wound back the clock and teamed up the Cassette Case (remember those?) with the digital age. Wishing to pluck on your nostalgic heartstrings, the Playback Pack from Proporta is now available for the Apple 2G iPod classic (80GB and 120GB) http://www.proporta.com/F02/PPF02P05.php?t_id=4347&t_mode=des

Made from a super tough polycarbonate to protect your iPod classic against any bumps and scratches, this retro innovation also doubles up as a stand for desk viewing allowing you to watch videos with ease. Cut outs allow access to all your devices' ports and controls so you can still use your 2G iPod classic whilst it's in the Case.

And because Proporta believe in sharing, they’ve also included a free Stereo Y Splitter and Headphones so you can view, listen and reminisce with a friend.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 02.10.08 AND releases street level data for Switzerland

AND Automotive Navigation Data, leading provider of worldwide digital mapping used for navigation and location-based services (LBS) around the world, today announced the availability of its full coverage navigable map of Switzerland. With this release AND completes the important DACH area and takes the next step to expand its road coverage for Western Europe in order to provide the only alternative in the market for digital maps.

The Swiss map includes rich comprehensive navigation features and is in line with the high quality specifications defined by AND and its customers. The digital map offers full coverage, is fully navigable, enables turn-by-turn route guidance and door-to-door route calculations to all 7.6 million inhabitants of Switzerland.

Next to the world base map with more than 200 countries, AND now offers 10 countries on street level. AND has completed Austria, Germany and Switzerland (the DACH countries), Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg (the Benelux countries) and Bulgaria, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey.

Europe on street level
"We believe the AND maps to be a very attractive alternative to the coverage of Navteq and Tele Atlas. With the release of street level maps for Switzerland we have taken another significant step in pursuing our ambition to complete full coverage of Western Europe. We now offer more than 125 million people in Western Europe navigation right to their door," according to Maarten Oldenhof, CEO of AND Automotive Navigation Data.

AND Automotive Navigation Data
AND Automotive Navigation Data is leading provider of digital mapping data used for navigation and location-based services around the world. AND Automotive Navigation Data focuses on the development of navigation maps Europe and the USA. The digital maps are used in navigation, LBS, Internet-based mapping, fleet management and more. The company was founded in 1984, is headquartered in Rotterdam, the Netherlands and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam (AND).
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 02.10.08 NAVTEQ Announces Industry Strategy for Map-Enhanced Advanced Driver Assistance Systems

New Reference Solution to make Map-Enabled Driver Assistance Possible on all Vehicles.

NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, announces the development of a new Map and Positioning Engine (MPE) strategy. With this development, map-enhanced Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) can be available to all vehicles, even in cars without an installed navigation system or navigable map. Behind this strategy is NAVTEQ's new MPE reference solution, which accelerates the development of ADAS applications embedded directly in a vehicle's electronic control unit, often referred to as the Controller Area Network (CAN) bus, or electronic sensor.

NAVTEQ's reference solution is powered by the NAVTEQ MPE(TM) map, a sub-set of the NAVTEQ map which contains ADAS geometry and precise ADAS attributes. Because the NAVTEQ MPE(TM) map is lower in cost and smaller in file size, it allows for broader vehicle adoption of map-enhanced ADAS applications.

To accelerate the development of ADAS applications, NAVTEQ's reference solution provides a recommended MPE specification. This specification outlines optimal deployment of the GPS, microprocessor, memory and all required software including map-matching, ADAS Interface Specification and CAN bus interfaces, as well as the NAVTEQ Electronic Horizon(TM). NAVTEQ's patented Electronic Horizon algorithms, essential to predictive road information for ADAS, search for and interpret attributes on the road ahead.

This powerful, cost-effective MPE design for map-enhanced ADAS is small enough to be implemented on a credit card-sized circuit board or distributed in the electronics architecture of the vehicle. In addition, unlike traditional ADAS solutions, the application is always on and does not need a stored navigation route.

"The map and positioning engine reference solution is a fundamentally new way to think about digital maps and GPS positioning in the vehicle electronics architecture," offered Bob Denaro, NAVTEQ vice president of ADAS. "When it comes to safety and fuel economy, the industry needs a solution that brings the value of digital maps and vehicle positioning to all vehicles. The MPE is the ideal solution for these advanced vehicle performance features."

NAVTEQ market research indicates that interest in map enhancement of ADAS applications is strong among vehicle owners. With a map and positioning engine resident in a small module on the CAN bus interface, application developers can provide these critical applications independent of the vehicle's installed navigation system.

"The NAVTEQ MPE map provides our customers with new options for integrating map-enhanced ADAS into the vehicle," stated Jeff Mize, NAVTEQ executive vice president of sales. "Furthermore, our marketing relationships with the semi-conductor manufacturers and development communities foster an eco-system that nurtures rapid deployment of these applications."

The MPE map augments NAVTEQ's continued support of ADAS by now addressing vehicles that do not have installed navigation systems. In addition to providing quality map data, NAVTEQ has an experienced technical and customer support staff. The ADAS research team assists customers in optimizing the Electronic Horizon algorithms with NAVTEQ maps, enabling cost-efficient use of customer resources and reduction in the development time cycle.

About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that power navigation and location-based services solutions around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 3,800 employees located in 194 offices and in 42 countries.

NAVTEQ, NAVTEQ Electronic Horizon and NAVTEQ MPE are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: CoPilot® Live™ delivers satellite navigation to the Royal Mail

ALK’s CoPilot Live Professional satellite navigation is an integral element of one of Europe’s largest ever mobility deployments.

London, UK: ALK Technologies have announced that the Professional edition of its CoPilot Live satellite navigation software has been selected by Royal Mail as an integral part of new mobile solution designed to increase delivery efficiency and improve customer service.
CoPilot Live Professional is fully integrated with on-board job despatch, management and proof of delivery application, Delivery Connect, from Blackbay, and will be installed on over 25,000 GPS-enabled Intermec CN3 Windows Mobile-based-handheld computers.

CoPilot Live Professional enables drivers to easily take the most efficient route to their next destination, while allowing Royal Mail’s customers to access near real-time visibility of delivery status of its tracked products, such as Special Delivery and Recorded Signed For. Postcode or address data for consignments is automatically passed to CoPilot Live, and real-time delivery information can be accessed through an online portal.

On the device, a simple ‘Navigate’ button launches CoPilot Live, providing the user with route mapping, turn directions and full voice guidance. On arrival at the destination, the screen reverts to Delivery Connect for signature capture and proof of delivery. The navigation element of the system will be of particular value for new, temporary, or relief drivers who may be unfamiliar with a delivery area.

The Royal Mail project is the largest single implementation of CoPilot Live navigation to date, following similar deployments by companies such as Tesco.com, Severn Trent Water and United Fleet Distribution. CoPilot Live Professional is rapidly becoming the navigation solution of choice for leading mobility solution providers and enterprises thanks to its comprehensive integration options, rich navigation experience and ALK’s consultative developer-support approach.

“By integrating CoPilot Live with Delivery Connect, the Royal Mail aims to increase efficiency and the customer experience through the use of the latest mobile technology” said Ray Vaughan, IT Director, Operations of Royal Mail.

Dan Popkin, Vice President, Sales for ALK Technologies said: “We are delighted that CoPilot Live navigation has been selected as a partner in one of the largest and most prestigious corporate mobility deployments in history. It’s a great example of how CoPilot Live Professional’s flexible SDK allows companies to easily and effectively integrate navigation into their mobility strategy, without the additional capital investment associated with dedicated or in-dash systems.

“CoPilot Live has an impressive reputation for providing full-featured navigation that is easy to integrate with other applications” said Patrick J Byrne, President & CEO of Intermec. “We worked closely with ALK as we developed the GPS features of the CN3, and we had no hesitation in recommending them to the Royal Mail for this project.”

“CoPilot’s ability to work immediately with the embedded GPS receiver of the Intermec CN3, minimise demands on device resources and utilise the mobile Internet for address updates were also significant advantages.”
Jason Langridge, Business Manager for Microsoft Windows Mobile said: “It is essential that the Royal Mail is able to operate effectively and give its customers the best possible service, we are therefore thrilled the company has chosen Windows Mobile technology to help it achieve that.”

About ALK

ALK Technologies has been developing innovative mobile navigation and transportation technology solutions since 1979. ALK’s award-winning CoPilot™ GPS software is increasingly being adopted as the navigation choice for mobile operators, hardware OEMs and systems integrators globally, while the company’s PC*MILER® routing and mapping fleet solutions are used by over 22,000 transportation, logistics and manufacturing companies worldwide. Find out more about ALK at www.alk.eu.com

About Intermec

Intermec Inc. (NYSE:IN) develops, manufactures and integrates technologies that identify, track and manage supply chain assets. Core technologies include RFID, mobile computing and data collection systems, bar code printers and label media. The company’s products and services are used by customers in many industries worldwide to improve the productivity, quality and responsiveness of business operations. For more information about Intermec, visit www.intermec.com
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 03.10.08 ALK Partners With American Moving and Storage Association
AMSA to Offer Member Discount for PC*MILER

Princeton, NJ – October 2, 2008 – ALK Technologies, Inc. has partnered with the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA). The partnership enables AMSA to offer ALK’s PC*MILER software to its members at a 15% discount. PC*MILER is the industry standard for truck routing, mileage and mapping.

AMSA is a non-profit trade association of 3,700 interstate household goods movers, some of whom also provide local moving services and secure warehouse storage. America’s movers were among the first motor carriers to base rates on mileage between pickup and delivery points beginning in the 1930s, hence the transportation industry term “household goods miles.”

“We're pleased to announce our new partnership with ALK Technologies,” said Linda Bauer Darr, President and CEO of AMSA. “We are inviting AMSA members to purchase PC*MILER at a discount since effectively managing operating costs and accurately billing customers is especially important during these challenging times of fluctuating fuel costs.”

PC*MILER is used by 96% of the top 100 North American motor carriers. It is also the distance standard for the U.S. Department of Defense, the General Services Administration and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

PC*MILER provides a choice of truck-specific, North American routing options, including Practical, Shortest, Toll Discouraged, Hazardous Materials Restricted and more. PC*MILER is not based on traditional household goods mileage parameters, but on the real truck-legal highway and street-level miles for specific routes based on vehicle type and commodities hauled.

“We are thrilled to be working closely with the AMSA. Household Goods carriers are a critical part of the commercial transportation industry, and many AMSA members have been long time ALK customers,” said Craig Fiander, Vice President, Marketing for PC*MILER Solutions. “We are very pleased that AMSA has recognized their members’ need to calculate routes, rates and costs based on reality.”

This partnership represents a great opportunity for members to benefit from the combination of AMSA and ALK’s leading technology and services. AMSA members who license PC*MILER will be able to access upgrades and additional modules at the association discount price. Among the upgrade options are PC*MILER|Tolls, which provides exact toll costs (by weight and axle), and PC*MILER|Streets, which offers street-level detail and address-to-address routing.

To take advantage of this discount offer, AMSA members should visit www.alk.com/pcmiler/amsa or call 800-377-6453, Ext. 123.

About ALK Technologies, Inc.

Since 1979, ALK Technologies has developed innovative mobile navigation and transportation technology solutions. ALK's award-winning CoPilot Live GPS software is the navigation based services platform of choice for mobile operators, hardware OEMs and systems integrators globally. ALK's PC*MILER routing, mileage and mapping solutions are used by over 22,000 transportation, logistics and manufacturing companies worldwide. For more information on ALK Technologies visit www.alk.com or www.alk.eu.com.

About AMSA
The American Moving and Storage Association is the national trade association for the professional moving industry. Based in the Washington, D.C., area, AMSA’s mission is to represent the interest of the domestic and international moving and storage industry and to help the customers it serves. AMSA represents more than 3,700 members, including interstate moving and storage companies, local movers, international movers plus industry suppliers and state association members.

AMSA’s chief goals include strong support for effective government regulations and policies that protect consumers while allowing members to provide quality service at compensatory prices, and ensuring that consumers understand the value of professional moving and storage services. For more information on AMSA, visit www.moving.org.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 03.10.08 Garmin® Announces the GPSMAP® 600 Series:
Touchscreen, Rugged and Ready for Land or Sea

OLATHE, Kan./October 3, 2008/Business Wire — Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the GPSMAP 640 – an ultra portable and rugged touchscreen navigator that comes preloaded with a comprehensive set of street maps and marine charts. Garmin also introduced the GPSMAP 620, which shares the same intuitive interface and is designed for markets outside the United States.

“Blending the best aspects of our popular portable marine units with the intuitive user interface of our automotive flagship line of nüvi® navigators, the GPSMAP 600 series is the perfect tool in the boat and on the road,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.

Portable and powerful, the GPSMAP 600 series features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and boasts an intuitive, waterproof (IPX7) super-bright 5.2” WVGA touchscreen display (800 x 480 pixels) that reacts as users tap or drag through intuitive menus and options. The GPSMAP 640 comes preloaded with comprehensive street maps of North America and worldwide shaded relief mapping in addition to detailed U.S. coastal BlueChart®g2™ charts. When placed in its included marine mount, these new portables will automatically start up in marine mode, presenting chart features such as shaded depth contours, port plans, wrecks, restricted areas and more.

With optional BlueChart g2 Vision™ technology, the GPSMAP 640 provides a true 3-D “mariner’s eye view,” for a navigation perspective above the waterline, and a “fish eye view” for an underwater 3D bathymetric contour perspective. Mariners will also benefit from the auto guidance technology the g2 Vision data card enables that suggests the best navigational route. In addition, photo references give detail aerial views of points of interest (POI) such as ports, marinas, waterways and landmarks.

When boaters are ready to pack up and hit the road, the GPSMAP 640 effortlessly snaps off its marine mount and, when placed in the automotive mount, quickly transitions into a robust automotive navigator. On the road, this device gives voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, advising you to “Turn right on Main Street.” In planning a route, users can search for a local bait shop or the best resorts around town and the GPSMAP will lead the way. With the GPSMAP 640, users can also create custom POIs and set up proximity alerts for the ultimate in driver awareness.

Additionally, with the GXM 40 antenna (sold separately), the GPSMAP 640 can graphically display XM WX Satellite Weather™ data directly on the unit’s display. More than 20 different types of weather attributes – information such as NEXRAD, wind speeds, visibility, severe weather storm tracks and more – deliver location-specific data, in chart-overlay form, directly to the device. With the GXM 40, motorists and mariners also have the option of receiving nearly 200 channels of commercial-free music, news, sports talk and entertainment with XM Satellite Radio. To steer clear of traffic backups, XM NavTraffic is also available to motorists with the GXM 40 antenna.

For international boaters, Garmin is also offering the GPSMAP 620 which provides a worldwide basemap with shaded relief. The GPSMAP 620 supports optional street map and marine chart data through an SD card slot.

The GPSMAP 620 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $999.99 and the GPSMAP 640 has an MSRP of $1199.99. For more information and availability, visit www.garmin.com.

About Garmin International Inc.

Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (Nasdaq: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin, GPSMAP, nüvi and BlueChart are registered trademarks and g2 and g2 Vision and are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: Garmin Signs Letter of Intent to Acquire Swedish Distributor

Garmin announced today that it has signed a letter of intent for the proposed acquisition of Sportmanship International AB ("Sportmanship"), the distributor of Garmin's consumer products in Sweden. The completion of the acquisition is subject to the negotiation and execution of a definitive acquisition agreement, the completion of legal and financial due diligence and customary closing conditions. The acquisition is expected to be completed in December 2008.

Dr. Min Kao, chairman and CEO of Garmin Ltd., said "Sportmanship has been successful in making the Garmin brand the market leader in Sweden in portable navigation devices (PNDs). We anticipate that the acquisition of Sportmanship will further consolidate and expand our market-leading position in Sweden and the Nordic countries as a whole."

Christer Johansson, managing director of Sportmanship Invest AB, the parent company of Sportmanship, said "We are proud of our success in making Garmin the leading brand of portable navigation devices in Sweden. We anticipate that the full integration of Sportmanship into the Garmin family will achieve additional efficiencies and cost savings that will benefit Sportmanship's customers and further drive sales of Garmin products in Sweden."

Financial terms of the proposed transaction were not released. Following the acquisition, Sportmanship is expected to change its name to Garmin Sweden AB. The company will retain its management, sales, marketing and supporting staff, consisting of approximately 28 people.

About Garmin Ltd.
The global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin Ltd. and its subsidiaries have designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications since 1989 - most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin's products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin is a registered trademark of Garmin Ltd.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007 filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of Garmin's Form 10-K can be downloaded at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 03.10.08 Garmin Announces the GPSMAP(R) 600 Series: Touchscreen, Rugged and Ready for Land or Sea

Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the GPSMAP 640 – an ultra portable and rugged touchscreen navigator that comes preloaded with a comprehensive set of street maps and marine charts. Garmin also introduced the GPSMAP 620, which shares the same intuitive interface and is designed for markets outside the United States.

“Blending the best aspects of our popular portable marine units with the intuitive user interface of our automotive flagship line of nüvi® navigators, the GPSMAP 600 series is the perfect tool in the boat and on the road,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president of worldwide sales.

Portable and powerful, the GPSMAP 600 series features a high-sensitivity GPS receiver and boasts an intuitive, waterproof (IPX7) super-bright 5.2” WVGA touchscreen display (800 x 480 pixels) that reacts as users tap or drag through intuitive menus and options. The GPSMAP 640 comes preloaded with comprehensive street maps of North America and worldwide shaded relief mapping in addition to detailed U.S. coastal BlueChart® g2™ charts. When placed in its included marine mount, these new portables will automatically start up in marine mode, presenting chart features such as shaded depth contours, port plans, wrecks, restricted areas and more.

With optional BlueChart g2 Vision™ technology, the GPSMAP 640 provides a true 3-D “mariner’s eye view,” for a navigation perspective above the waterline, and a “fish eye view” for an underwater 3D bathymetric contour perspective. Mariners will also benefit from the auto guidance technology the g2 Vision data card enables that suggests the best navigational route. In addition, photo references give detailed aerial views of points of interest (POI) such as ports, marinas, waterways and landmarks.

When boaters are ready to pack up and hit the road, the GPSMAP 640 effortlessly snaps off its marine mount and, when placed in the automotive mount, quickly transitions into a robust automotive navigator. On the road, this device gives voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, advising you to “Turn right on Main Street.” In planning a route, users can search for a local bait shop or the best resorts around town and the GPSMAP will lead the way. With the GPSMAP 640, users can also create custom POIs and set up proximity alerts for the ultimate in driver awareness.

Additionally, with the GXM 40 antenna (sold separately), the GPSMAP 640 can graphically display XM WX Satellite Weather™ data directly on the unit’s display. More than 20 different types of weather attributes – information such as NEXRAD, wind speeds, visibility, severe weather storm tracks and more – deliver location-specific data, in chart-overlay form, directly to the device. With the GXM 40, motorists and mariners also have the option of receiving nearly 200 channels of commercial-free music, news, sports talk and entertainment with XM Satellite Radio. To steer clear of traffic backups, XM NavTraffic is also available to motorists with the GXM 40 antenna.

For international boaters, Garmin is also offering the GPSMAP 620 which provides a worldwide basemap with shaded relief. The GPSMAP 620 supports optional street map and marine chart data through an SD card slot.

The GPSMAP 620 has a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $999.99 and the GPSMAP 640 has an MSRP of $1199.99. For more information and availability, visit www.garmin.com.

About Garmin International Inc.
Garmin International Inc. is a subsidiary of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation. Since 1989, this group of companies has designed, manufactured, marketed and sold navigation, communication and information devices and applications – most of which are enabled by GPS technology. Garmin’s products serve automotive, mobile, wireless, outdoor recreation, marine, aviation, and OEM applications. Garmin Ltd. is incorporated in the Cayman Islands, and its principal subsidiaries are located in the United States, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. For more information, visit Garmin's virtual pressroom at www.garmin.com/pressroom or contact the Media Relations department at 913-397-8200. Garmin, GPSMAP, nüvi and BlueChart are registered trademarks and g2 and g2 Vision and are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries.

All other brands, product names, company names, trademarks and service marks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved.

Notice on Forward-Looking Statements:
This release includes forward-looking statements regarding Garmin Ltd. and its business. All statements regarding the company’s future product introductions are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management's current expectations. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release may not occur and actual results could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting Garmin, including, but not limited to, the risk factors listed in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2007, filed by Garmin with the Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983). A copy of Garmin’s Form 10-K can be downloaded at www.garmin.com/aboutGarmin/invRelations/finReports.html. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made and Garmin undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: TomTom Map Update Service(tm) ensures up-to-date maps for all users at all times

6 October 2008 - TomTom, the world's leading navigation solutions provider, today reveals its new Map Update Service(tm).

The Map Update Service is available to all TomTom customers, with prices starting from £7.95 per quarter*, depending on the model of TomTom device. Through this service, users can conveniently download new map releases through TomTom HOME, TomTom's free desktop software, as soon as a new map becomes available.

New maps become available every quarter for the duration of a user's subscription, and each map incorporates all changes in the road network that have been validated by Tele Atlas.

"The introduction of the Map Update Service completes our already extensive map offering", says Corinne Vigreux, TomTom's managing director. "The world's road infrastructure changes up to 15% each year and with TomTom's Map Update Service, TomTom Map Share(tm) and our latest map guarantee, users can now also keep up with these changes, providing them with even more accurate and up-to-date navigation."

TomTom's complete map offering

All TomTom navigation devices come with a latest map guarantee. If a new map becomes available within 30 days of a driver's first use of the device, they are entitled to a one-time free map download via TomTom HOME. This way, they always have access to the latest map at the time of purchase.

New roads are constantly being built and traffic situations change all the time. On average, a new map release includes thousands of miles of new roads and Points of Interest, as well as unique Map Share corrections that have been reported by TomTom customers. Every quarter, new maps become available, incorporating all these road changes. With the new Map Update Service, customers have the reassurance that they will automatically receive the latest map version as soon as it becomes available.

With TomTom's unique Map Share(tm) technology, drivers can make corrections instantly on their device, inbetween new map updates. Users can easily edit street names or speed limits, reverse traffic directions, (un)block streets or edit POI information. Via TomTom HOME, users can also benefit from corrections made by the Map Share community.

The combination of TomTom's Map Update Service, latest map guarantee and Map Share ensures drivers can be confident they always have the latest and most complete map for a safer, stress-free journey.

* Prices start from the equivalent of £7.95 per quarter, depending on map version and model of TomTom device.

About TomTom

TomTom NV is the world's leading navigation solutions provider. TomTom's products are developed with an emphasis on innovation, quality, ease of use, safety and value. TomTom's products include all-in-one navigation devices which enable customers to navigate right out of the box; these are the award-winning TomTom GO family, the TomTom XL and TomTom ONE ranges and the TomTom RIDER. Additionally, independent research proves that TomTom products have a significant positive effect on driving and road safety. TomTom offers a portfolio of content and services for TomTom's navigation products, which are easily available through TomTom HOME. TomTom also provides navigation software products that integrate with third party devices; the TomTom NAVIGATOR software for PDAs and smartphones. TomTom WORK combines industry leading communication and smart navigation technology with leading edge tracking and tracing expertise. TomTom's products are sold through a network of leading retailers in over 30 countries and online. TomTom was founded in 1991 in Amsterdam and has offices in Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and South Africa. TomTom is listed at Euronext Amsterdam in The Netherlands. For more information, please visit: http://www.tomtom.com
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 07.10.08 Sony Ericsson handsets to contain Mobile Commerce’s pioneering new search service ‘Near Me’

Sony Ericsson today announced the new 8.1 megapixel Cyber-shot™ C905 phone will come preloaded with Mobile Commerce’s innovative ‘NearMe’ application - so you can always find exactly what you’re looking for right around you. Mobile Commerce is the UK’s leading provider of location-based services (LBS) and mobile content integration, and ‘NearMe’ will also be available to download onto the GPS enabled C702 Cyber-shot and W760 Walkman® handsets.

'NearMe’ is a local search service that provides users with detailed information on local businesses, amenities, venues and events, all based on current location using the GPS capabilities of the user’s handset.

The application, which is provided free to the user by Sony Ericsson, includes UK wide content such as cinema, club and gig listings; over 11,000 recommended venues for eating and drinking in; as well as over 1.9 million business search listings and fully optimised Multimap mapping - all of which is enhanced on an ongoing basis so the information is always up to the minute. Full addresses and phone numbers are also included with each recommendation and listing so you’re never without the info you need.

Users can also select locations from pre-stored favourites or search for any location in the UK. Basic information provided includes, name, address and phone number and, where relevant, more detailed information such as film reviews, costs and show times. Finally, once you know where you want to go, there is even a map to show you where it is.

David Hilton Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson UK & Ireland, said: “Creating a Java application with best of breed content was a key objective to showcase our GPS handsets to our prime target market. Following an extensive market search we selected Mobile Commerce as our application partner and we are delighted with the ‘NearMe’ application and have already defined a roadmap of enhancements to bring even more functionality and choice to our customers.”

“We are delighted to be working with Sony Ericsson, who are known as an innovative global brand,” added Steve Page, CEO of Mobile Commerce. “To be recognised by them as a leader in our field is an even greater incentive to develop and deliver an exciting application which shows the full capability of their latest handsets. I believe that with ‘NearMe’ we have achieved this, using our technological knowledge and our expertise in aggregating content from numerous best of breed suppliers.”
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 07.10.08 NAVTEQ Transport Solutions Highlighted at the American Trucking Association Management Conference & Exhibition

Fleet Management Software and Devices Featured at ATA

NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, is showcasing a variety of customer applications as well as its unique NAVTEQ Transport truck attribute data at the American Trucking Association Management Conference & Exhibition, October 4 - 7, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NAVTEQ Transport, combined with NAVTEQ(R) map and traffic data, provides a foundation for developing a wide range of solutions to support the transportation and logistics industry for fleet management. NAVTEQ Transport includes critical attributes required to enable sophisticated truck navigation as well as routing and dispatch optimization. Key attributes are height, weight, width and length restrictions, legal truck restrictions, HAZMAT, truck related warning signs and selected truck Points of Interest (POIs).

The following solution demonstrations by NAVTEQ customers will be delivered over the course of the show in NAVTEQ booth 752:

Descartes
Descartes is showcasing the Descartes Route Planner(TM) on-demand, which provides an easy and affordable way to plan, optimize and dispatch routes. This robust solution drives out operational inefficiencies, ultimately cutting costs and improving customer service.

ESRI
ESRI is demonstrating the latest capabilities in planning, route optimization and extending these capabilities to the truck with connected navigation.

GeoMicro
Mobium(TM) GPS by GeoMicro is a navigation and GPS tracking solution for the enterprise. It enables centralized deployment and management, has a small memory footprint and complete APIs for easy integration and customization to meet enterprise requirements.

Maptuit
Maptuit's NaviGo(TM) provides in-cab navigation for commercial vehicles. Maptuit's newest in-cab navigation companion features a large moving map format and a simple to use touch screen interface that lets drivers rive their trucks to their final destination while avoiding dead-end streets, U-turns and truck restrictions.

Teletrac
Teletrac's Fleet Director(R) showcases live vehicle location data, multiple map views, landmarks, geo fencing, two-way messaging, turn-by-turn navigation/route guidance and Hours of Service reporting. The demonstration will highlight FleetDirector's ease of use, intuitive interface, and overall high performance in a dispatch environment.

TeleType
TeleType is featuring portable, touch screen navigation devices specifically designed for commercial truck drivers. These GPS solutions provide routes that are suitable for truck trace; however, the commercial driver can also rely on the routing as it takes into account commercial truck restrictions. The system can also be configured to support Hazmat specific routing.

"NAVTEQ is committed to building strong relationships within the fleet community and to providing quality products to support them," stated Roy Kolstad, vice president and general manager-Enterprise Americas, NAVTEQ. "We are excited to showcase the results of some of these relationships at the 2008 ATA Conference."

About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that power navigation and location-based services solutions around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has more than 3,800 employees located in 194 offices and in 42 countries.

NAVTEQ and NAVTEQ Transport are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries.
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 07.10.08 Smartphones, iPhone, and Messaging Driving ARPU Gains for AT&T Mobile Business Customers

NEW YORK - October 7, 2008 -
Mobile messaging revenues are driven by smartphone penetration, occupation segmentation and pricing. AT&T has the best combination of these variables resulting in the highest mobile messaging revenues from the mobile business customer. A new study from ABI Research analyzes customer demographics and mobile services usage to create profiles of mobile business customer ARPUs for Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile.

Principal analyst Dan Shey says, ”AT&T ARPU figures demonstrate that personal use of the mobile phone across mobile services domains is also greatly benefiting AT&T business customer revenues. This is not only a smartphone phenomenon, it is also an iPhone phenomenon.”

But the demographic profile differences that explain operators’ customer services usage include more than age, income, and vertical/occupation representation. For instance, customer profiles also include an analysis of customer mobility based on time spent at home, in transit, and in different work locations. This data, and that showing customers’ adoption of particular device features, help explain not only total ARPUs but also messaging services usage for each carrier.

Customers’ demographics as well as their expressed interests in handset device features provide a snapshot of the future opportunities for operators when launching new services and expanding existing ones.

Says Shey, “Wi-Fi and location based service features are two device capabilities of high interest in our customer analysis. But the differences among operators in customer demographics, services adoption and device interests suggest that operators must pursue different technology strategies if they expect to be successful.”

“US Mobile Operator Business Customer Profiles” http://www.abiresearch.com/products/market_research/US_Mobile_Operator_Business_Customer_Profiles provides a snapshot of Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint mobile business customers based on survey data, primary research and pricing analysis. The study includes a demographic comparison of operators on 20 different levels. Mobile services adoption and usage responses provide a snapshot of mobile services ARPUs across voice, push-to-talk, messaging, mobile broadband and entertainment, internet access and applications.

The report also covers customers’ interests in handset features, device management services, fixed vs. mobile usage, and personal/business usage. Demographic, usage, and interest data are summarized to provide recommendations on how these four operators can improve their influence with the mobile business customer.

It forms part of the firm’s Business Mobility Research Service.

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: 08.10.08 ABI Research's Clint Wheelock to Moderate Panel at Texas Wireless Summit 2008

Clint Wheelock, Vice President and Chief Research Officer at ABI Research, will moderate a panel on "Location Aware Applications" at the upcoming Texas Wireless Summit 2008, on October 15.

The rise of location aware services promises to bring with it new applications that will uniquely leverage the distinctive "mobile" characteristic of mobile devices. How will PAN, LAN, and WAN networks work together to enable these services? The panel will discuss the types of devices that will be able to take advantage of these capabilities and how they will be made available to consumers. It will examine the new applications that will emerge in the areas of mobile commerce, entertainment, and social media and how these will lead to consumer adoption and revenue generation opportunities for operators, OEMs, and developers.

The panelists will include:

Andrew J. Graham, CEO, Bones in Motion, Inc.

Dan Lowden, VP of Marketing, Wayport

Joe Chen, CEO, GeoSpot Inc.

The details:
When:October 15, 2008, 12:30-1:30 PM
Where:Texas Wireless Summit 2008
Hilton Austin Hotel
Austin, Texas

For general information about the event, please visit: http://www.twsummit.com/
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 08.10.08 RIM Enters Touch Screen Market with BlackBerry Storm

Oyster Bay, NY - Oct 8, 2008

Journalists and other representatives of the media are invited to contact ABI Research to learn more about this significant development and to discuss its implications with our industry analysts.

RIM is targeting its newly announced BlackBerry Storm at the consumer market, but according to ABI Research research director Kevin Burden, it's likely to be best known as the first credible touch screen-based device for the mobile professional.

There have been a number of touch screen smartphones announced in recent months, beginning with Apple's iPhone 3G, the Android-based T-Mobile G1 and Nokia's entrance last week's with its 5800 XpressMusic phone. Like the Storm, all are aimed at the consumer market and try to appeal to the consumers' sense of distinctiveness and desire to have the newest technology. But unlike the competition, the Storm holds the BlackBerry brand which resonates with business users differently than do the Apple or Google brands.

"While the Storm is about RIM's continued expansion beyond its mobile professional base," says Burden, "it is still linked to BlackBerry's key selling point which is its back-end infrastructure that delivers one of the most compelling mobile email experiences from the perspective of mobile professionals and IT administrators. BlackBerry has always been more than just a device sale and that will not change with the Storm."

Still, devices are inevitably compared because of the personal nature of mobile phones, and the capacitive touch screen in the Storm will put it up against the only other two models using capacitive screens, the iPhone and G1. The majority of touch screen phones use resistive technology screens because they are less than half the cost and their force detection capabilities enable handwriting recognition, which is important when selling into many Asian markets. Capacitive screens, however, take users' interaction with their devices to a new level - and a new level of expectation - by enabling navigation through hand gestures and multi-touch (although only the iPhone and the Storm have multi-touch.)

"The Storm and the iPhone will be favorably compared because what is evident in both is that the touch screen clearly adds to the experience that RIM and Apple want to create on the device," says Burden. "Neither use touch for touch's sake, but instead deliver compelling multimedia experiences though high-resolution screens that are intuitively controlled by the user. But where RIM ups the stakes is in the tactile feedback that mimics the feel of keying on a QWERTY, which for RIM, is as important to its heritage as the back-end email infrastructure that makes BlackBerry what it is."

In conclusion, Burden poses a critical question: "How important would a RIM application store be to the potential success of the Storm?"
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Robert Brady

RobBrady

Press release: 09.10.08 Wayfinder and Sony Ericsson Extend Global Cooperation on GPS-Enabled Handsets

Companies to offer advanced navigation solutions based on Tele Atlas maps across a wide range of phones

Stockholm, October 9, 2008 – Wayfinder announced today that it has extended its agreement with Sony Ericsson which will enable Wayfinder to preload a richer, longer term navigation offering on a range of current and future Sony Ericsson mobile phones.

The Wayfinder Navigator™ application brings affordable, mobile phone-based navigation to the mass market. It allows consumers to download Tele Atlas-based maps of more than 70 countries to their mobile phones and avoid expensive data roaming costs, even when travelling abroad.

To date, Wayfinder has provided a three-month trial of its Navigator application on a range of Sony Ericsson handsets, including the recently launched GPS-handsets W760 Walkman™ and C702 Cyber-shot™ and the upcoming C905 Cyber-shot™ phone. Additionally Wayfinder has provided a 1 year license to users of the P1i smart phone from Sony Ericsson. Under the new agreement, the Sony Ericsson phones will feature full navigation capabilities, including lane and sign post information, which is now available as a 12 month regional, continental European or lifetime navigation offering.

“With the increased importance of GPS-phones in our portfolio, I am delighted to further expand our relationship with Wayfinder,” says Rikko Sakaguchi, Corporate Vice President and Head of Creation & Development, Sony Ericsson. “We work closely together in order to deliver a user experience second to none in the fast growing location based services field soon to become a mass market service”, he continues.

“Ease of use and simplicity are key components of our product strategy, and the expansion of this agreement is a testimonial to the success of that approach,” said Magnus Nilsson, CEO of Wayfinder Systems. “Wayfinder will enable Sony Ericsson and its operator customers to offer our navigation and location services at mass market prices to end-users around the world.”

About Wayfinder

Wayfinder is a leading provider of innovative location services. We focus on combining best practice of technology and ease-of-use. Our clients are major mobile phone manufacturers and operators all over the world and we have a growing base of unique users that now exceeds 2 million users. The head office is located in Sweden with regional offices in France, Finland and Romania. Wayfinder Systems AB is listed on the NGM Equity stock exchange in Sweden.

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 approximately 2,000 full-time staff and contract cartographers at offices in 24 countries. 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.
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Robert Brady

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