Navman launch the PiN Pocket PC™ – The all-in-one Personal interactive Navigation device

London, UK, 26th April 2004-: Navman-Europe is announcing the European launch of the Navman PiN Pocket PC™, a fully fledged GPS (Global Positioning System) solution with integrated Pocket PC™ capabilities.

This Personal Interactive Navigation device is where personal organisation meets state-of-the-art navigation, delivering everything you will ever need to co-ordinate your life and get from A to B without any hassle –all in one compact and stylish device. The cable free, highly portable, PiN arrives complete with PAN European mapping, navigating the user throughout Europe whether driving in a car or walking city streets.

The PiN implements Navman’s latest GPS technology and SmartST™ V2 navigation software, with the full package retailing at approximately £449* (€649). The GPS receiver is neatly tucked away at the back – just flip the module skywards and let the PiN guide the user through a journey using turn-by-turn voice instructions and detailed 3D mapping. Of course, the PiN also doubles as the perfect personal organiser using the latest Pocket PC™ functionality with Microsoft® Windows Mobile 2003 operating system.

Prash Vadgama, managing director of Navman Europe says, “Market research has indicated a major increase in the adoption of navigation technology and one area that has shown impressive growth and potential is the PDA sector. As we currently provide wireless GPS solutions for the PDA market the introduction of the PiN is a natural progression for Navman. With the Navman PiN we are now offering the consumer an all-in-one, convenient navigation device that offers the reliability of Navman GPS technology along with personal information manager functionality and outstanding value for money.”

Latest navigation software

The Navman SmartST™ V2 software offers complete state-of-the-art navigation capabilities. Users have the assurance of knowing their exact position at all times on the 3.5-inch colour transflective LCD display while being guided by the clear turn-by-turn voice instructions, enabling them to concentrate on the road ahead. Should the user encounter a road diversion or take a wrong turning, the PiN’s back-on-track™ technology will instantly re-calculate the route so you’ll never get lost again! If there’s prior knowledge of road works, the ‘avoid areas’ function can let the user block out the offending areas and let the PiN calculate a route around the disruption.

Added features

The PiN will deliver the driver to their chosen destination, aided by an accurate five digit postcode search facility. Frequently used address can also be saved in ‘Favourites’ allowing for quick access while users can integrate their contacts stored in the device’s Pocket Outlook™ and
easily navigate straight to the nominated address. During the journey a route summary can also be activated, displaying the distance to travel, time to go and percentage of the journey completed.

Latest Pan-European maps

Arriving complete with the latest up-to-date street level maps for 16 European countries on CD ROM (UK, Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Sweden), users simply connect the PiN to their computer and download the relevant maps for their route across the continent onto a supplied 128MB memory card (able to store the maps for the entire UK). Also logged into the memory are POIs (points of interest) such as shops, cinemas, petrol stations, camping sites, hotels, and historical sites, helping users to organise their journey to the last detail. The PiN also ships with a vehicle power adapter and vehicle mounting brackets.

Pocket PC™ capabilities

Let’s not forget the PiN is a fully fledged Pocket PC™ running Microsoft® Windows Mobile 2003 operating system. At the hub of this handheld device is an Intel PXA-255 300MHz processor with 64MB of internal RAM. Programs and maps can be downloaded via the fast built-in USB 1.1 connection and Microsoft® ActiveSync®. The PiN also delivers MP3 recording and playback capabilities for entertainment on the move as well as a built-in voice recorder.

The Navman PiN Pocket PC™ is priced around £399* (€599)* and is available from June 2004.

For further information on Navman-Europe contact t: 01293 780 500 or visit the website at www.navman-europe.com