NAVTEQ to Power ReignCom's First Wi-Fi Enabled Portable Media Device
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iriver W10 First Commercial Device to Include NAVTEQ Discover Cities(TM) for Local Mobile Search
CHICAGO, Jan. 8 /- NAVTEQ (NYSE:NVT), a leading global provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, announced today that ReignCom, a Korean manufacturer of media devices, will launch its new Wi-Fi enabled iriver W10 portable media player with NAVTEQ Discover Cities(TM) mobile search guide. The device will be the first commercially available media player to combine Wi-Fi location capability with NAVTEQ Discover Cities in order to provide consumers in urban environments with detailed information about their location and the sights and amenities around them.
ReignCom, known in the U.S. for its iriver brand of MP3 players, is unveiling a working prototype of the iriver W10 portable media player at the NAVTEQ booth (#36226) at the 2007 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) January 8-11.
The iriver W10 media player is designed for the "urban explorer". At a slim 14 mm thick, the iriver W10 comes loaded with full-function multimedia capability combined with the power of a Wi-Fi Positioning System(TM) (WPS) created by Skyhook Wireless to determine location within an urban environment. Not only can the user listen to music, watch movies, or play games on the go, but they can also retrieve information about the urban landscape around them. The Wi-Fi Positioning System provides accurate location information by detecting Wi-Fi access points in range. Unlike GPS or cell tower systems the WPS works indoors and in dense urban areas.
The iriver W10 comes preloaded with NAVTEQ Discover Cities, a mobile search guide that allows users to locate local Points of Interest (POIs) such as banks, ATMs, transit stops and tourist destinations as well as access rich content such as Fodor's guide information on hotels, restaurants and shopping. NAVTEQ Discover Cities is ideal for pedestrians or tourists who want to explore everything that a city has to offer. Mapopolis, a cutting-edge developer of map applications for GPS devices, developed the mapping application that aggregated NAVTEQ's map data with Skyhook's WPS software and provides the user interface.
"The iriver W10 reinforces ReignCom's strong commitment to enter the Location Based Services space and represents a real breakthrough in the way mobile urban consumers can use their personal multimedia players to explore the exciting options of the city around them," stated Kenny Choe, Marketing Director, ReignCom. "NAVTEQ's forward-thinking in adapting its products such as Discover Cities to Wi-Fi technology aligns with ReignCom's plan to deliver a more compelling mobile experience for our core customers."
"The iriver W10 signals a new chapter in Location Based Services by effectively demonstrating the value of mobile local search," commented Winston Guillory, Senior Vice President - Consumer & Business Sales, NAVTEQ. "To support this evolution, NAVTEQ will continue to provide products such as NAVTEQ Discover Cities so that mobile consumers will have the ability to find things around them more efficiently and effectively."
The iriver W10 will be commercially available in the US in early April 2007.
NAVTEQ Discover Cities is currently available for ten metropolitan markets including Boston, Chicago, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, and Washington D.C. NAVTEQ Discover Cities can be delivered across a variety of mobile platforms.
About iriver
iriver is the global brand for digital entertainment enthusiasts. iriver has become known for its foresight and strategic approach of being the first market player to implement innovative technology and new standards in mass production products. iriver, founded in 2000, is headquartered in Seoul, Korea and is a fully owned subsidiary of Korean Reigncom Ltd. Consumers can access and experience audio, video, and education programming and download iriver's consumer software at www.iriver.com/ .
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 approximately 2,000 employees located in 139 offices in 25 countries.
Source: NAVTEQ
CONTACT:
Kellie Prowse of NAVTEQ,
+1-312-894-7479,
kellie.prowse@navteq.com ;
or
Bob Richter for NAVTEQ,
+1-212-802-8588,
bob@richtermedia.com
Web site: www.iriver.com/
http://www.navteq.com/
