Tiger Telematics(R) readies Gizmondo(TM) for Global Location-Based Services
LONDON, 25th January, 2005 - Gizmondo Europe Ltd, subsidiary of Jacksonville, Florida-based Tiger Telematics Inc (other OTC, TGTL), today released further details of the location-based services to be made available via industry-leading partner, MapInfo Corporation®.
The MapInfo location services platform, EnvinsaTM, will provide a range of capabilities including mapping, routing and geocoding, which will expand the functionality of the Gizmondo to include functions such as Where Am I, Find the Nearest, Tracking, Geofencing, and Panic Button functionality.
Importantly, the same MapInfo Envinsa platform will be used to provide essential data for location-based games, like the groundbreaking ColorsTM game where a player's physical location is represented, tagged and expanded in the game environment. The platform will also be used for providing 'closest participating store' information for users opting into the revolutionary new added-value Smart AddsTM system to be launched later this year.
MapInfo Envinsa is available for key Geographic markets globally and will be used to support Gizmondo services rollout initially in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy with other markets including the United States and Australia to follow.
"Gizmondo offers consumers one of the most advanced mobile entertainment devices on the market today, which now becomes even more powerful with the addition of location-based services based on our capabilities," said Mark Cattini, CEO and President, MapInfo. "Implementing our Envinsa location services platform will help Gizmondo attract new users and increase revenues through value-added services, such as location-based games and security alerts. Our Envinsa platform is currently being deployed in organizations throughout the world to locate new customers, better service existing customers and improve operational efficiency across the entire organization."
"The LBS functionality is just one of the areas that sets us apart from the competition," said Carl Freer, Managing Director, Gizmondo, "Aside from the practical applications of satellite navigation and location-based services, this functionality on Gizmondo will take gaming in an entirely new direction."
The Gizmondo is powered by Microsoft Windows CE advanced real-time operating system, boasting a 2.8-inch TFT colour screen with a Samsung ARM9 400Mhz processor and incorporates the GoForce 3D 4500 NVIDIA graphics accelerator. It provides cutting-edge gaming, multimedia messaging, an MP3 music player, Mpeg4 movie playing capability, a digital camera and a GPRS network link to allow wide-area network gaming. Additionally, it contains a GPS chip for location-based services, is equipped with Bluetooth for use in multi-player gaming and accepts MMC card accessories.
The Gizmondo device and its games are currently launching in the U.K. and in North American and Continental Europe markets during the spring of 2005.
About Tiger Telematics and Gizmondo
Gizmondo Europe Ltd. is an owned subsidiary of Tiger Telematics Inc (TGTL) and is the maker of Gizmondo, a next-generation mobile entertainment device. Launched in 2004, the gaming device includes built-in music, video, messaging and picture functions and GPS.
Tiger Telematics is a designer, developer and marketer of mobile telematics systems and services that combine global GPS functions and voice recognition technology to locate and track vehicles and people down to street level in countries throughout the world. The systems are designed to operate on GPS and are currently being marketed to GSM current and potential subscribers, primarily by the company's United Kingdom based subsidiaries.
About MapInfo Corp
MapInfo Corporation is a global company that integrates software, data and services to help organizations realize greater value from location-based information and drive more insightful decisions. MapInfo solutions are available in 20 languages through a network of strategic partners and distribution channels in 60 countries. Headquartered in Troy, NY, MapInfo Corporation is on the World Wide Web at www.mapinfo.com. The company's UK and European headquarters are in Windsor, UK.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
For further information please contact:
Global Media:
James Beaven
Indigo Pearl
For and on behalf of Tiger Telematics, Inc. and Gizmondo Europe Ltd.
+44 208 964 4545
Michael Carrender, CEO
Tiger Telematics, Inc.
+1 904-279-9240
Except for historical matters contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking and are made pursuant to the safe harbour provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements reflect numerous assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect Tiger Telematics, Inc. and its subsidiary businesses and prospects and cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ are Tiger Telematics Inc.'s operating history; competition; low barriers to entry; reliance on strategic relationships; rapid technological changes; inability to complete transactions on favourable terms; the schedule and sell-through for new software release; consumer demand for video game hardware and software; the timing of the introduction of new generation competitive hardware systems, pricing changes by key vendors for hardware and software and the timing of any such changes, and the adequacy of supplies of new software product and those risks discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC.
In light of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking statements, these statements should not be regarded as a representation by Tiger Telematics, Inc. or any other person that the projected results, objectives or plans will be achieved. Tiger Telematics, Inc. undertakes no obligation to revise or update the forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof
MapInfo Of Note
This press release contains forward-looking statements involving risks and uncertainties. Any statement not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement, including without limitation statements concerning demand for and benefits of MapInfo products and integration of MapInfo products with existing solutions. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those factors contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2004 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the heading "Factors Affecting Future Performance." MapInfo takes no responsibility to update any forward-looking statements.