Real-time precision: the latest NAVIGON Live Services

Hamburg (ots) - Dynamic content, together with the increasing
complexity of road traffic and the desire for reliable and
congestion-free navigation, are playing an ever more important role.
At the IFA exhibition, NAVIGON will bring access to up-to-date data
into a new era with the new NAVIGON Live Services. With the new Live
Services, drivers can access real-time information at any time via
the NAVIGON Live Module, which includes details about the traffic
situation, free parking spaces or specific destinations via Google
Local Search.

High-tech gadgets are impressive, but only if they guide you to
your destination feeling relaxed. At the IFA exhibition, NAVIGON will
present its very latest development which aims to increase the
comfort and safety of driving through reliable car-parking
assistance, up-to-date congestion information and other useful
services. NAVIGON Live Services provides access to real-time data in
32[1] countries in Europe, provided the driver has a NAVIGON
Live-enabled device and a suitable NAVIGON Live module. The Live
Services include the latest news about the traffic situation (Traffic
Live), pointers to mobile radar speed detectors (Mobile Radar Traps
Live), information about available parking spaces (Clever Parking
Live)[2], the weather forecast at any location as well as en route
(Weather Live), and the option to search for an unlimited number of
POIs selected by the user, such as restaurants or businesses (Google
Local Search). "NAVIGON Live heralds a new chapter in navigation
using real-time information, adding to the existing benefits of using
navigation devices," says Jörn Watzke, vice-president of Product Line
Management at NAVIGON.

For example, Traffic Live offers traffic reports that are updated
every few minutes which indicate where there is congestion much
sooner than conventional RDS-TMC. In addition to real-time
information from traffic loops, data from both NAVIGON Live users and
from floating car partners (Floating Car Data) are also fed into the
traffic news feed so the updates you receive are as real-time as
possible. "If your NAVIGON Live device tells you the speed on a
motorway is just 40 kilometres per hour, you can predict that there
will be a large volume of traffic, and therefore congestion, as the
speed has fallen below a defined limit," says Jörn Watzke. "Traffic
Live users are advised immediately what the recommendation for the
best route to take is, based on the latest volume of traffic. Drivers
can therefore avoid congestion and navigate according to the live
traffic update, without having to wait until an available radio
station in the region broadcasts the reports." The very latest
traffic reports are also incorporated when new route options are
calculated, as already seen with NAVIGON MyRoutes. This means drivers
can decide the best possible route before setting off on their
journey. With the Google Local Search function, the user can search
for any number of POIs without indicating specific categories, for
example, the nearest florist, or the closest pizzeria. If required,
the driver's current location can be used as the start point, with
only destinations in the immediate vicinity displayed, or of course,
the driver can navigate directly to their desired destination from
the very start of their journey. The Google User Review, along with
saved commentaries, will tell the driver whether the journey is worth
taking.

Drivers looking for somewhere to park have until now been able to
drive directly to the nearest car park using NAVIGON Clever Parking.
With Clever Parking Live, drivers can now receive information about
the number of free spaces available. An arrow pointing upwards or
downwards even provides information about whether the car park or
parking space is emptying or filling up. This data is provided by
NAVIGON's partner ADAC.

Live weather data, provided by NAVIGON's partner Foreca, shows
whether it is raining at the destination or anywhere en route.
"Particularly on longer journeys in the autumn and winter, this
service helps the driver to recognise sections of the route where
greater care is recommended because of adverse weather conditions"
explains Jörn Watzke. The NAVIGON Live Service can also tell the
driver if there are mobile radar speed warner anywhere en route to
the destination. Information from NAVIGON Live users themselves also
contributes to the data pool to ensure updates are as accurate as
possible. By using the "report camera" button on the device,
participants in the NAVIGON Live Programme can advise each other of
the latest mobile radar speed detectors.

Data transfer is simple and affordable

Data can be received via the external NAVIGON Live module that
sits between the charger and the navigation device. A SIM card is
incorporated into the module to facilitate the transfer of data from
the NAVIGON information pool to the device.

The NAVIGON 6350 Live high-end model (349 euros) and the NAVIGON
8450 Live premium navigator (499 euros) are ready for the road with
NAVIGON Live as standard. Data can be accessed free of charge for
three months from the date the customer activates the Live Services
by entering a unique code into the device. Anyone wishing to use the
Live Services beyond this period may extend the contract, selecting
either a one-year contract for 79.95 euros or a two-year contract for
139.95 euros - this covers all the costs involved, including use of
data and unrestricted access abroad. There is a 25 per cent discount
for anyone who opts for a one or two year contract within the first
30 days of initial use, reducing the cost to just 59.95 euros and
104.95 euros respectively.

"We are offering our users a well thought out payment model that
allows access to our Live Services that reach beyond respective
country borders at no additional cost. NAVIGON Live customers are
guaranteed that there will be no additional costs added to the
subscription fees outlined above, for units purchased either in
Germany or abroad," says Jörn Watzke. "Ultimately, our aim is to
enhance our customers' holiday experience, and not confront them with
a nasty surprise in the form of a high mobile phone bill when they
get home."

The same terms apply for customers purchasing the NAVIGON 6310 and
NAVIGON 8410 models, who can install the Live module on their device
for 99 euros, turning the NAVIGON 6310 into a NAVIGON 6350 Live and
the NAVIGON 8410 into a NAVIGON 8450 Live.

For further information on NAVIGON, please visit www.navigon.com .
For photo- and video material please send your request to
presse@navigon.com.

You will find us aswell on:

www.twitter.com/NAVIGON_
www.flickr.com/photos/navigon/
www.youtube.com/user/NAVIGONcom
www.facebook.com/pages/NAVIGON/51924150929

About NAVIGON:

NAVIGON AG is one of the leading suppliers of navigation systems
worldwide. NAVIGON produces its own portable navigation devices and,
through partnerships with well-known manufacturers of entertainment
electronic equipment, stands for superior quality GPS navigation for
pocket PCs, PNDs and mobile phones. Furthermore, NAVIGON offers
professional navigation solutions such as driver assistance
components for OEM suppliers in the motor vehicle industry. NAVIGON
was founded in 1991, employs more than 400 staff and has offices in
Asia, Europe and North America. - NAVIGON. And the world is yours.

[1] Not all services are available in all locations.
[2] Clever Parking Live is available in Germany, Austria, Switzerland
and Luxembourg.

Originaltext: NAVIGON AG
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Media contact:
Michael Hoffmann Angela Obermaier
Head of Corporate Communication PR Manager
NAVGON AG NAVIGON AG
Schottmüllerstr. 20A Schottmüllerstr. 20A
20251 Hamburg 20251 Hamburg
Germany Germany
Phone: +49-40-370 88-421 Phone: +49-40-370 88-450
Fax: +49-40-370 88-479 Fax: +49-40-370 88-479
E-Mail: presse@navigon.com E-Mail: presse@navigon.com
Web: www.navigon.com Web: www.navigon.com