Motorola and Rand McNally Join Forces to Deliver Navigation Solution for Mobile Phones |
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Rand McNally & Company
8255 N. Central Park
Skokie, IL, 60076
USA
Press release date: May 30, 2006
America's No. 1 name in mapping enters promising GPS navigation market with integration of Motorola's VIAMOTO® navigation software
SKOKIE, Ill., and SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 30 / In response to growing demand for portable GPS navigation devices, Rand McNally, provider of America's most trusted maps and directions, and Motorola, Inc. (NYSE:MOT), a worldwide leader in wireless and broadband communications, today announced that they have teamed up to produce a GPS navigation system for cell phones. Under the alliance, Rand McNally will integrate Motorola's proven VIAMOTO® navigation software into a Rand McNally branded mobile navigation solution.
The downloadable mobile application will offer a convenient and affordable alternative to expensive car navigation systems. For a low monthly fee, subscribers will be able to transform their compatible Motorola mobile phones into portable GPS-enabled, turn-by-turn, voice-guided navigation systems.
There are more than a quarter of a million GPS-equipped handsets being used today for personal navigation, according to Clement Driscoll, founder and president of C.J. Driscoll & Associates, a consulting and research firm focused on wireless location-based technology. He expects the number will increase to millions over the next few years.
"Public awareness of, and interest in, GPS-enabled navigation devices have grown significantly in the last two years," said Driscoll. "The market is ripe for fruitful relationships between mapping and wireless communications companies, such as Rand McNally and Motorola."
The new GPS navigation system from Rand McNally and Motorola will be an ideal tool for the average driver, as well as for busy professionals who need to navigate around scheduled job trips and business stops, and find unfamiliar locations quickly and reliably. Users will be able to improve productivity using only their cell phones, without investing thousands of dollars for a car navigation system.
"It's a natural fit for Rand McNally, the country's premier map maker, to join forces with an innovative leader like Motorola," said Rob Apatoff, president and chief executive officer of Rand McNally. "Our mission is to bring the most accurate, easy-to-use navigation products to market, and this collaboration with Motorola supports that goal."
The easy-to-use service will be available from select wireless carriers on all compatible Motorola wireless handsets.
"This new service establishes an impressive alliance between two industry leaders, while further expanding Motorola's ability to bring cost-effective navigation solutions to our consumer and business customers across the U.S.," said Jim Eckels, General Manager, Motorola's Digital Solutions & Accessories.
About Motorola
Motorola is known around the world for innovation and leadership in wireless and broadband communications. Inspired by our vision of Seamless Mobility, the people of Motorola are committed to helping you get and stay connected simply and seamlessly to the people, information, and entertainment that you want and need. We do this by designing and delivering "must have" products, "must do" experiences and powerful networks -- along with a full complement of support services. A Fortune 100 company with global presence and impact, Motorola had sales of US $36.8 billion in 2005. For more information about our company, our people and our innovations, please visit http://www.motorola.com/ .
About Rand McNally & Company
Rand McNally is North America's largest commercial maker of national and local maps, street guides and atlases. The company's print and electronic products include America's No. 1 Road Atlas, The Thomas Guide® map books, custom-made wall maps on the Web, wireless navigation solutions and online maps, directions and trip planning at http://www.randmcnally.com/ .
Celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2006, Rand McNally offers the most trusted tools to discover, map and navigate your world. The company leads the way with innovative products and services for the consumer, business, education and commercial transportation markets. For more information, visit http://www.randmcnally.com/ or call (800) 333-0136.
Source: Rand McNally & Co.
CONTACT: Paul Elsberg of the Reynolds Communications Group, +1-312-541-9300, pelsberg@reynoldsgroup.com ; Julie Schmidtke of Rand McNally & Co., +1-847-329-6308, jschmidtke@randmcnally.com ; or Jason Gordon of Motorola, Inc., +1-206-999-5634, jasongo@motorola.com
Web site: http://www.motorola.com/ http://www.randmcnally.com/
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