First Handheld GPS Navigation System with Ability to Send Text Messages Via Satellite. Highly-Anticipated Product Release is Now Widely-Available At Retail and Online.
YARMOUTH, Maine — (BUSINESS WIRE) — October 3, 2010 — The groundbreaking new DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator will receive a prestigious 2010 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award during a special ceremony Tuesday at the Hearst Publishing headquarters in New York City.
Combining global positioning and satellite communications technologies, this unique product pairing comprises the first handheld GPS navigation system capable of keeping users connected with family, friends and, if necessary, emergency coordination services from remote locations around the world.
Popular Mechanics chose 10 products and innovators in science and technology that they believe moved society forward in 2010. In explaining their selection, Popular Mechanics editors described the PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator as “a valuable tool on any trip that extends well outside of cell phone range. It not only provides detailed topographical maps and GPS guidance in the backcountry, it also lets explorers send SOS messages with embedded coordinates via satellite if they're in trouble — or Facebook updates if they're not."
A special interface on the PN-60w connects it wirelessly with the SPOT Satellite Communicator (engineered to work exclusively with the PN-60w). Custom Type & Send text messages are created on the PN-60w's internal keyboard, and sent via the SPOT Satellite Communicator to email addresses, cell phones, and-or the user’s Facebook and Twitter pages. In addition, family and friends can track the user's progress via Google maps.
“This has been an ambitious project requiring a great deal of engineering expertise from both DeLorme and Spot LLC,” said Caleb Mason, DeLorme Vice President. “The end result is a new way for those who venture into the wilderness around the globe to navigate their adventures and also stay in touch with those they’re close with.”
Katie Schoeben, Global Marketing Director for Spot LLC said “It’s an honor to be recognized as innovators in technology by such a prestigious magazine as Popular Mechanics. We are proud to partner with DeLorme on the PN-60w and SPOT Satellite Communicator providing consumers handheld GPS technology with satellite messaging capabilities for the very first time.”
Other companies receiving Innovation Awards are Bosch, Chevrolet, GoPoint Technologies, Nissan, Qualcomm, Sony, Sprint, Stihl, and Trane. The Award winners will be highlighted in the November issue of Popular Mechanics. Winner profiles are currently online at www.popularmechanics.com/breakthrough10.
The Earthmate PN-60w with SPOT Satellite Communicator is now widely available from major sporting goods and electronics resellers. SPOT communication and tracking services are activated via low-cost subscriptions at www.findmeSPOT.com
For more information, visit www.delorme.com.
About DeLorme
DeLorme is the longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS solutions for consumer and professional markets. Based in Yarmouth, ME, DeLorme offers a unique set of core competencies across the complex areas of map data creation and management, software development, and GPS integration. The ability to develop all the critical components necessary to compete in the fast-changing navigation world provides a distinct competitive advantage. DeLorme is one of a handful of mapmakers that still own and produce their own content, and its Street Atlas USA, Topo North America, XMap, and Earthmate GPS products have introduced countless first-to-market innovations. To learn more, visit www.delorme.com.
About Spot LLC
The SPOT product family uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer's location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service call center. SPOT LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: GSAT), provides emergency notification technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. Thanks to this affordable, cutting edge personal safety device, the company offers people peace of mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how Spot LLC is helping users live to tell about it, visit www.findmespot.com.
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Contact:
DeLorme
Charlie Conley, 207-846-7022
Email Contact
or
Spot
LLC
Derek Moore, 408-933-4112
Email Contact