Socket Delivers Enhanced GPS Nav Kit with Bluetooth Wireless Technology, Rich Graphics and Voice Prompts
NEWARK, Calif.--Nov. 2, 20042, 2004--| New Solution Transforms Mobile Devices into In-Car, Turn-by-Turn Navigation System |
Socket Communications, Inc. , the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, today announced that its enhanced GPS Nav Kit for Pocket PCs, notebooks, laptops and new Tablet PCs is now shipping. The GPS Nav Kit with Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology is a software/hardware combination that eliminates hassles associated with finding a destination.
"A growing number of enterprises are empowering their sales teams and field forces with mapping and navigational capability, and there is a strong business model supporting investments that reduce the number of wrong turns and increase mobile worker productivity per mile driven," said Daniel Taylor, managing director of the Mobile Enterprise Alliance, Inc. "It's easy to identify individual cases where proper mapping and directions can help, but the true impact of products like MyNavigator are found by aggregating the benefits across a mobile workforce."
The GPS Nav Kit which includes Socket's MyNavigator(TM) software is an easy-to-use and compact in-car navigation system that offers accurate street maps, a highly intuitive user interface and voice prompts so drivers can get to their locations quickly and safely without having to read a handheld map or cryptic instructions. The solution provides turn-by-turn instructions and map support for the United States & Canada and over 14 European countries.
"The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that Americans spend over 500 million hours per week in their cars," said Peter Phillips, vice president of marketing at Socket. "The widespread use of Pocket PCs and other handheld devices has increased the need for consumers to remain connected while behind the wheel. Our improved GPS technology solutions not only improve the efficiency of these connected commuters, but also helps them find particular locations more safely. The enhanced graphics and 3-D maps in the GPS Nav Kit provide detailed, visual location information at-a-glance, while clear voice prompts provide audio feedback."
New MyNavigator software features include:
-- Allows hotkeys to be assigned to the most popular functions
-- Ability to select destination by intersection or city center
-- More than 1.2 million new points of interest and new categories including attractions, businesses/shopping, education/government, emergency, lodging, recreation, restaurants and transportation
-- Improved optional map views including flat, bird's eye and 3-D
-- Updated NAVTEQ maps of North America and Europe
Additional hardware features include a new receiver chip-set from u-blox that is capable of receiving 16 GPS channels and processing 8192 simultaneous search bins as well as a removable and replaceable battery. In addition, it includes Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) support for increased location accuracy with the Wide Area Augmentation System (WAAS) in the U.S. and EGNOS in Europe. The hardware weighs only 71 grams and fits into the palm of your hand without requiring wires or cables.
Pricing and Availability
The GPS Nav Kit is available immediately through Socket's worldwide distribution channels for an estimated street price of $249.
About Socket
Socket Communications, Inc., the Mobile Connection(TM) Company, provides the broadest range of data collection and connectivity products for mobile computers, including Windows Mobile-based Pocket PCs, Windows CE devices, Palm PDAs and Smartphones, as well as Tablet PCs and notebooks. Socket's Mobility Friendly(TM) products are feature-rich while promoting ease of use and lead the market with the smallest footprint and the most Battery Friendly(R) power consumption in their class. Socket's Embedded Systems Group provides hardware developers with solutions using mobilityIC(TM) interface chips and KwikBlue(TM) modules with embedded Bluetooth(R) Wireless Technology. Socket is headquartered in Newark, California and can be reached at 510-744-2700 or www.socketcom.com.
Socket and Battery Friendly are registered trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc. The Mobile Connection Company, Mobility Friendly, MyNavigator and KwikBlue are trademarks of Socket Communications, Inc. The Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Socket Communications, Inc. is under license. All other trademarks and trade names contained herein may be those of their respective owners. (C) 2004, Socket Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.