Trimble GuideWorx - Outdoor GPS Navigation on Mobile Phones

We broke the news late last week, and now at CES 2007, Trimble has announced more details on their Outdoor Mobile Phone GPS navigation solution named GuideWorx. GuideWorx GPS transforms a mobile phone into a powerful handheld GPS device specifically designed for both on- and off-road navigation. For the first time, consumers can completely manage their outdoor experiences -- from receiving content-rich trip planning information, to on-the-go driving and recreational navigation, along with sharing these experiences online, using one ultra-portable and cost-effective cellular device.

Adventure seekers, active consumers, and families alike will be able to user their mobile phone to get highly accurate, voice prompted turn-by-turn driving directions to assist in finding their destination, combined with off-road navigation and rich point of interest information to plan their outdoor activities. The turn-by-turn on-road navigation system for GuideWorx GPS, developed with Networks In Motion's NAVBuilder Developer Platform, allows users to retrieve maps and other useful travel data in real-time. To plan their off-road recreation, users can access a national database of points of interests while on-the go, and the free PC mapping software offers consumers the option to pre-plan trips that can be sent
wirelessly to their GPS-enabled phone.

"Off-road navigation traditionally required the use of paper maps or dedicated and expensive handheld GPS units, while on-road navigation demanded either an in-vehicle unit or another portable device," said Rich Rudow, managing director, Trimble Outdoors. "By combining these two technologies, Trimble Outdoors has produced a unique, convenient and intuitive application that provides consumers with the ability to completely and seamlessly navigate their outdoor experiences. Whether the destination is on-road or off-road, GuideWorx GPS is the total navigation solution for GPS-enabled mobile phones."

With the GuideWorx GPS application, consumers can fully leverage handset convergence by marking photos they take and audio clips they create with GPS location information while on-the-go. These multi-media journey records can be posted to an online community as a part of an automatically generated GPS-tracked travel log, and shared with friends and family using Trimble Outdoors' PC planning software.

"Infusing voice-prompted, turn-by-turn navigation from Networks In Motion's robust NAVBuilder Developer Platform with Trimble Outdoors' core off-road technologies provides outdoor enthusiasts the first complete navigation solution on a mobile phone," said Doug Antone, president and CEO for Networks In Motion. "Whether driving in the city or hiking in the woods, GuideWorx GPS consumers can use the application to conveniently guide their outdoor experience."

The GuideWorx GPS application is the fourth GPS-on-cellular service offered through the Trimble Outdoors family of products. Trimble Outdoors will be showcasing their suite of applications ranging from fitness management, to geocaching and now on- and off-road navigation, at the Sands Convention Center during CES 2007 at booth #72637.

The GuideWorx GPS application is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2007 on select Sprint GPS-enabled mobile phones for $9.99 per month.

January 8, 2007

Trimble GuideWorx - Outdoor GPS Navigation on Mobile Phones