ViaMichelin launches MapSonic Europe software for PDAs
ViaMichelin launches MapSonic Europe software for PDAs
ViaMichelin launches MapSonic Europe software for PDAs
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Press release<br />
London, October 2003<br />
<strong>ViaMichelin</strong> <strong>launches</strong> <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> <strong>software</strong> <strong>for</strong> <strong>PDAs</strong><br />
Voice-guidance navigation <strong>software</strong> range available <strong>for</strong> Pocket<br />
PC, on PC and <strong>for</strong> the first time on Palm OS<br />
<strong>ViaMichelin</strong>, a subsidiary of the Michelin Group that provides digital travel assistance<br />
products and services in <strong>Europe</strong>, today announces the immediate availability of its new realtime<br />
voice-guidance navigation <strong>software</strong>, called <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>, <strong>for</strong> Personal Digital<br />
Assistants (<strong>PDAs</strong>) equipped with Global Positioning System (GPS) facilities.<br />
For the first time, <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> will be available <strong>for</strong> the Palm OS (Palm, Sony) as well<br />
as the Pocket PC plat<strong>for</strong>m. The <strong>software</strong> can also be used on laptops equipped with GPS<br />
capabilities.<br />
<strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> users will have instant access to route planning, journey direction, maps<br />
and points of interest in over 100,000 towns across 16 countries in <strong>Europe</strong>. The <strong>software</strong><br />
allows a PDA to become a ‘Personal Travel Assistant’ (a GPS antenna is needed), allowing<br />
users to access journey in<strong>for</strong>mation on the move, whether in the car, on public transport or<br />
on foot. You can use your PDA with the <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>software</strong> and a GPS antenna in the car,<br />
but also have complete flexibility to take the navigation facilities with you when you leave the<br />
car.<br />
Using <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> could not be easier. Users simply download the required maps<br />
from their PC to their <strong>PDAs</strong>, connect to a GPS* antenna and then enter their departure and<br />
arrival points. <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> will indicate your position in real-time and guide you by<br />
voice and by detailed maps on your PDA screen. <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> can guide anyone on<br />
any journey, whether on holiday or on a business trip.<br />
The <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> application, available in 5 languages (11 languages <strong>for</strong> voice<br />
guidance), covers 16 countries. It is available in Palm OS 5 version and in Pocket PC<br />
version from November in the UK, as well as other <strong>Europe</strong>an countries.<br />
<strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>: flawless voice navigation<br />
User-friendly and easy-to-use, the <strong>MapSonic</strong> <strong>Europe</strong> GPS navigation <strong>software</strong> offers<br />
numerous functions which will make it an ideal travel companion <strong>for</strong> any PDA user:<br />
- Route calculation<br />
- GPS function with voice guidance (a GPS antenna is needed)<br />
- Over 100,000 towns throughout <strong>Europe</strong><br />
- 20 levels of zoom<br />
- Keyword search engine<br />
- Driving directions with display of road signs
- Interfacing with the address book<br />
- Management of points of interest (car parks, airports, hospitals, service stations, etc.)<br />
- Edit the ideal map on the PC (including levels of zoom) to be downloaded to the PDA<br />
- Automatic route calculation in the event of a navigation error<br />
- Permanent display of the reception quality of the GPS signals<br />
- Ultra optimised graphics engine providing total flexibility of the maps on the screen<br />
Practical in<strong>for</strong>mation<br />
Recommended retail price: 199 euro (approx. £140 GBP)<br />
On sale at: the online store at the www.<strong>ViaMichelin</strong>.co.uk website and specialist shops<br />
Minimum equipment and configuration:<br />
Palm Zire 71, Tungsten T, T2, C and Sony Clié NZ 90, NX70V, TG50<br />
Palm OS 5, minimum 16 MB RAM, 320x320 screen, 8 MB to start the application<br />
Colour Pocket PC® (minimum 256 colours) equipped with an ARM processor -<br />
Microsoft® Windows® PocketPC 2000, 2002 or 2003<br />
PC Pentium 200 Mhz – CD-Rom drive - Windows 98, Me, 2000 or XP<br />
minimum 128 MB RAM, 650 MB available on hard disk<br />
* The GPS function requires an NMEA 2.0 compatible GPS module, based on the datum<br />
WGS84.<br />
For further in<strong>for</strong>mation, please contact:<br />
<strong>ViaMichelin</strong> UK:<br />
Tina With-Seidelin on 020 7661 9398<br />
For a review copy of this CD-ROM, please contact:<br />
Bite Communications:<br />
Ruth Andrew or Katie Pratt on 020 8741 1123<br />
Email: viamichelin@bitepr.com<br />
About <strong>ViaMichelin</strong><br />
<strong>ViaMichelin</strong> is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Michelin Group. <strong>ViaMichelin</strong> designs,<br />
develops and markets digital travel products and services <strong>for</strong> <strong>Europe</strong>an road users. Drawing<br />
upon Michelin's centennial expertise in the travel world, this activity, launched in 2001, is<br />
intended <strong>for</strong> leisure and business users alike. <strong>ViaMichelin</strong> provides a full range of services<br />
(maps, route plans, hotels, restaurants, traffic in<strong>for</strong>mation, tourist in<strong>for</strong>mation) which can be<br />
accessed on a variety of media: internet (www.<strong>ViaMichelin</strong>.co.uk), mobile phones, PCs (with<br />
CD-ROMs), on-board navigation systems and personal digital assistants.
Change language