InfoMove Delivers New Generation of Wireless Internet Services for the Car
19 October 1999
InfoMove Delivers New Generation of Wireless Internet Services for the Car
SEATTLE--Oct. 18, 1999Internet, wireless, palm-size PC and
GPS technologies to ease the commuting crunch
InfoMove, the first company to fully integrate the advantages of the Internet with the car, announced the development of a first of its kind service that delivers a broad range of real-time, customized Internet content and traffic data through handheld devices connected in cars.
The company, founded in 1998, will also license its service to leading Internet portals, hardware manufacturers, automotive companies and other organizations as private label and co-branded solutions.
InfoMove uses leading Internet, wireless, automotive, global positioning system (GPS) and text-to-speech technologies to bring together disparate information sources. This integrated approach enables drivers and passengers to place their palm-size PC in a cradle in their car and instantly receive personalized content including real-time traffic advisories, audible turn-by-turn directions, vehicle diagnostics and maintenance alerts, emergency services, location-based advertising and text-to-speech enabled e-mail capabilities. Handheld and palmtop devices are transformed into intelligent auto PCs that customers can connect inside their cars, essentially turning cars into Internet "chauffeurs."
"Every new car and many existing cars in the U.S. will have Internet-enabled devices as standard equipment by 2005," said Brook Lang, founder and chairman of InfoMove. "InfoMove will be the Internet-based service that provides drivers with safe and affordable access to critical information in their vehicle. Portals, palm-size PC manufacturers, cellular phone manufacturers, and automakers will use our service to deliver that vital Internet information wirelessly to commuters in the car."
"Americans spend 500 million hours a week in their cars and a wireless Internet service that allows consumers to get real-time information in their cars is something that adds extensive value to the driving experience," said Andrew Seybold, senior partner of the Andrew Seybold Group and publisher of "Andrew Seybold's Outlook," a leading publication on mobile computing and wireless communications. "While recently announced services like Yahoo! EveryWhere and AOL Anywhere enable mobile users to access Internet information in a wireless format, InfoMove's services are unique in that they are intelligently integrated with GPS and automotive technologies to enable consumers with the information they need while on the road."
How It Works
InfoMove's proprietary technology platform utilizes a direct interface with the car to deliver dynamic Internet content and other vehicle-related services in an intuitive text-to-speech and display format that matches the driving environment. The platform includes a vehicle monitoring system that sends information back to InfoMove's server and enables InfoMove to send the user maintenance notices and location-based advertising. Wireless Internet access will be provided through existing CDMA networks, and in the future, through 3G and other wireless networks.
InfoMove's technology gives the user flexibility to work with the most industry leading handheld and palmtop manufacturers, including WindowsCE and Palm OS devices, and ultimately with cellular phone manufacturers. The company has developed extensive strategic relationships with Internet content providers, technology companies such as Engage Technologies (a CMGI company) and software developers such as bSquare to create this unique platform.
Through offering private-label solutions to manufacturers and portals, and aggregating best-of-breed services with third-party providers, InfoMove delivers the following core GPS-based services:
| -- | Real-time personalized, and geo-located traffic updates |
| -- | Turn-by-turn, location based driving instructions |
| -- | Real-time vehicle monitoring, diagnostic, maintenance alerts and historical information |
| -- | Profiled location-based advertising |
| -- | |
| -- | Stocks, weather, news, city guides, shopping, and other Internet information |
| -- | Emergency assistance and concierge services |
About InfoMove
Founded in 1998, Seattle-based InfoMove private-labels its integrated system of Internet, wireless and global positioning system (GPS) technologies to automobile suppliers and manufacturers, palm-size and handheld PC manufacturers, Internet portals and Internet destination sites. The InfoMove system was designed specifically for wireless networks to ensure drivers and passengers instantly receive personalized content including real-time traffic advisories, audible turn-by-turn directions, vehicle diagnostics and maintenance alerts, emergency services, location-based advertising and text-to-speech enabled e-mail capabilities. The company has strategic relationships with content providers and developers including bSquare, Engage Technologies (a CMGI company), and others to be announced soon. Currently, the company is working with leading automotive and device manufacturers to deliver this unique solution to customers in early 2000.
More information on the company is available at www.infomove.com.
