Mapopolis to add Spoken Navigation

Positioning Solutions, has announced a new real-time spoken navigation systems for Palm, Sony and Handspring handhelds featuring Mapopolis Navigator. The GPS guided software will generate directions and maps and talk you to your selected destination.

The systems, which will require Palm OS version 5.0 or later, will generate directions for you and then provide spoken prompts as each turn approaches. Should you miss a turn or accidentally turn in the wrong direction, the systems will automatically re-route you to your destination.

“You can keep your attention on the road,” said Positioning Solutions CEO Jeremy Straub, “the system will alert you when a turn is approaching so that you don’t need to be watching it constantly.”

Users can choose from among recently used addresses, key in a new address, choice a business location or a point from the map for your destination. Using the included Global Positioning System (GPS) module the system already knows where you are currently.

Navigation systems for Palm, Sony and Handspring handhelds featuring Mapopolis Navigator will be available for purchase beginning on August 30, 2003. The systems will be available initially in the United States with Canadian and European models available in early September.

The company is also offering a new Grab 'n Nav SD Card . The product, which includes a 32 MB SD card and a Mapopolis Online MapPack contains the entire United States freeway grid and a number of major cities on the card initially, allowing for the immediate generation of routes. The included MapPack allows users to customize the data stored on the card as desired. Users can choose whatever maps they desire from Mapopolis’ extensive map library which includes coverage for the entire continental United States.