Real-time Precision: the Latest NAVIGON Live Services

HAMBURG - 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 that 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 as well 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.

Media contacts: Michael Hoffmann Head of Corporate Communication Phone: +49-40-370-88-421 Fax: +49-40-370-88-479 E-Mail: presse@navigon.com Angela Obermaier PR Manager NAVIGON AG Phone: +49-40-370-88-450 Fax: +49-40-370-88-479 E-Mail: presse@navigon.com

Source: NAVIGON AG

Media contacts: Michael Hoffmann, Head of Corporate Communication, Phone: +49-40-370-421,
Fax: +49-40-370-88-479, E-Mail: presse at navigon.com; Angela Obermaier, PR Manager NAVIGON AG, Phone: +49-40-370-88-450, Fax: +49-40-370-88-479, E-Mail: presse at navigon.com