American Wireless and Televigation Team To Bring TeleNav Phone-based GPS Navigation
CAMPBELL, Calif.--Jan. 2, 20047, 2004--| Televigation to leverage American Wireless national network of independent retailers to market revolutionary navigation service |
Televigation, a leading provider of wireless motion-based services, and American Wireless, a leading North American Wireless Master Agent and Distributor, today announced that American Wireless will distribute the TeleNav(R) mobile phone-based GPS navigation service -- powered by Televigation -- in the continental U.S. and Hawaii. One of the largest national distributors of Nextel wireless services, American Wireless will distribute the TeleNav service through its nationwide network of independent retailers, thus greatly extending the market availability of this revolutionary wireless navigation service.
With service starting at $5.99 a month, TeleNav brings GPS navigation to consumers for a fraction of the cost of traditional in-car navigation systems. The wireless motion-based service includes voice-requested and -delivered driving directions for eyes-on-the-road motoring, automatic new routing in the event of missed turns, and a comprehensive business finder.
"TeleNav is 'GPS for everybody and anybody,' and not just luxury car owners," said HP. Jin, CEO & President of Televigation. "The selection of American Wireless as a national distributor will help ensure the accessibility of TeleNav to millions of consumers nationwide. No one understands the indirect sales channel more completely than American Wireless, and we anticipate leveraging their success in the Nextel channel to drive home TeleNav's unique advantages."
TeleNav mapping data covers the entire U.S. except for Alaska. Instead of using a fixed in-dash display, customers have three options to input a destination: call a special toll-free number with their Nextel phone to dictate a destination, or key in an address on the phone's touchpad, or input an address on the TeleNav web page. Based on vehicle location, TeleNav then graphically depicts the optimal route on the phone's display and uses voice prompts to advise of upcoming turns. Should a turn be missed, TeleNav automatically reroutes the driver. Additionally, entire trips can be pre-planned through the TeleNav website with driving directions later accessed through the customer's mobile phone.
"Televigation is on course to provide high-end GPS navigation at an affordable cost to the masses and independent retailers are a natural to help drive this process," said Harry Brix, CEO of American Wireless. "We're pleased to be able to provide our network of retailers the ability to offer this market-changing service as a compelling add-on to their Nextel wireless sales."
About Televigation
Televigation is a provider of wireless motion-based services, which include GPS navigation and tracking. Televigation's technology can deliver voice-interface, feature-rich motion-based services over standard mobile phones and other wireless devices.
The company's flagship product, TeleNav, is a navigation service similar to the GPS systems found in luxury vehicles, but integrated into mobile phones, costing a fraction of the price.
About American Wireless
Founded in 1972, American Wireless, the first and largest master agent in the U.S., serves as a critical intermediary between wireless carriers and their corresponding agents with retail locations. Extensive product and service offerings include postpaid, prepaid, cellular, satellite TV & radio, fulfillment, distribution, warranty programs, and hardware and accessories. With offices throughout North America, American Wireless is headquartered in Campbell, California, and provides an unrivaled, national distribution and sales footprint. For more information, visit the American Wireless web site at www.americanwireless.com.