AAA and Networks In Motion Announce First GPS-Enabled Navigation System for Mobile Phones with Integrated Roadside Assistance.Networks In Motion's Location-Based Services See mobile positioning. Platform Powers 'AAA Mobile', Providing Quick and Easy Access to Exclusive AAA AAA: see American Automobile Association. (Triple A) A common single-cell battery used in a myriad of electronic devices of all variety. Like its double A (AA) cousin, it provides 1.5 volts of DC power. When used in series, the voltage is multiplied. TourBook([R]) Information and Roadside Assistance Services ORLANDO, Fla. -- AAA, North America's foremost motoring and leisure travel organization, and Networks In Motion (NIM nim 1 tr. & intr.v. nimmed, nim·ming, nims Archaic To steal; pilfer. [Middle English nimen, to take, from Old English niman; see ), the award-winning wireless navigation and location-based services (LBS (Location-Based Services) See mobile positioning. ) company, today announced an industry first in mobile phone-based GPS navigation See GPS. and travel assistance. A new application called AAA Mobile, powered by the NIM LBS platform, transforms the mobile phone into a powerful navigation device and travel companion. AAA Mobile subscribers can use their mobile phone to receive visual and audible directions to any travel destination in the U.S.; locate AAA Approved([R]) points of interest (POIs), including Diamond Rated([R]) hotels and restaurants; and find locations that offer AAA member savings. Subscribers can review detailed AAA descriptions for POIs on their phone, receive a map showing a destination on the mobile phone screen, and bookmark A stored location for quick retrieval at a later date. Web browsers provide bookmarks that contain the addresses (URLs) of favorite sites. Most electronic references, large text databases and help systems provide bookmarks that mark a location users want to revisit in the future. locations as favorites for quick recall in future. When users experience vehicle difficulties, AAA Mobile streamlines access to AAA's Roadside Assistance service. The press of a single button on the phone sends the phone's GPS location to AAA and connects the user with AAA for quick and reliable roadside assistance services. AAA Mobile's main menu provides users with the option to: * Navigate to a destination using turn-by-turn directions with audible prompts and automatic rerouting if customers miss a turn; * Search for AAA-inspected POIs from AAA's travel-tested TourBook([R]) guide listings, and navigate to the selected location; * Search for other POIs such as ATMs, gas stations and theaters; and * View maps of selected locations, and store destinations in "My Places" for quick recall. "Unlike navigation devices that must be outdoors to work, AAA Mobile uses assisted GPS GPS is a satellite based positioning system. Assisted GPS, or A-GPS was introduced to enhance performance. The development of A-GPS was accelerated by the U.S. FCC's E911 mandate requiring the position of a cell phone to be available to emergency call dispatchers. technology that allows users to find a route or get a map while sitting in a covered parking lot or meeting room," said Marshall L. Doney, Vice President of Automotive Services for AAA. "AAA Mobile always has up-to-date maps and listings of restaurants and other businesses, eliminating the need to purchase software upgrades or maps for new cities." Subscribers can search by category, such as hotel or restaurant, for the closest locations or those that match all or part of a business name entered using the keyboard. AAA Mobile users can view a map of their current location, another address, an intersection, an airport, a recently searched location or a bookmarked location. Pan and zoom functions allow users to scroll To continuously move forward, backward or sideways through the text and images on screen or within a window. Scrolling implies continuous and smooth movement, a line, character or pixel at a time, as if the data were on a paper scroll being rolled behind the screen. See auto scroll. to a place on the map, search for a nearby business, or request a route to that location, as well as save that location for future reference. "The ability to find AAA Approved locations, determine a property's Diamond Rating or transmit your GPS location directly to AAA for roadside assistance takes mobile phone applications to the next level. It's a convenience car travelers won't want to be without," said Doug Antone, President and CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. for Networks In Motion. "AAA Mobile combines a personal concierge and GPS navigation capabilities in one device - a mobile phone that's always carried with you - and a subscription that is more affordable than an in-car navigation system A GPS-based electronic system in a car or truck that provides a real time map of the vehicle's current location as well as step-by-step directions to a programmed destination. See GPS and vehicle tracking. or personal navigation device A Personal Navigation Device (PND) is a portable electronic product which combines a positioning capability (such as GPS) and navigation functions. The earliest PND were hand-held GPS units (circa mid 1980s) which were capable of displaying the user's location on an ." AAA is currently in discussions with major US wireless carriers, with availability of AAA Mobile projected for the second half of 2007. Please visit us at CTIA (1) See CompTIA. (2) (Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association, Washington, DC, www.ctia.org, www.wow-com.com) A membership organization founded in 1984 that is involved with regulatory and public affairs issues in the wireless industry. Booth #217 for further information or to see a demonstration of AAA Mobile. About Networks In Motion Networks In Motion([TM]) (NIM) is an award-winning wireless navigation and LBS Company, with products that are built on a foundation of strategic patents, scalable and extensible server network, advanced mapping technology and integration with emerging wireless and positioning technologies. Founded in 2000, the company is headquartered in Aliso Viejo, Calif. More information is available at http://www.networksinmotion.com. About AAA As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at www.AAA.com. |
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