Tuesday December 9, 7:30 am Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Maps On Us Provides Driving Directions for Users of the WolfeTech PocketGenie Paging Software
MURRAY HILL, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 9, 1997--Lost drivers will no longer have to ask for directions, thanks to a unique combination of two-way wireless paging software from WolfeTech and the Maps On Us(sm) service from Lucent Technologies.
In a national test to be launched in January, 1998, Maps On Us (www.MapsOnUs.com) - the mapping, routing, and yellow pages service from Lucent Technologies - and the WolfeTech PocketGenie(tm) software, will allow users of a new generation of two-way pagers to receive driving directions directly on their pagers. This new application puts wireless Internet content literally in the palm of the everyday users' hand.
''The continued convergence of communication technologies such as paging, the Internet, and digital mapping enhances people's lives by eliminating the frustration in mundane tasks,'' said Stephen Clemente, CEO of Maps On Us. ''WolfeTech has created software that allows the benefits of Maps On Us to be taken anywhere.''
WolfeTech will launch a national beta test of its software in January, 1998. Currently, Motorola, RAM Mobile Data, the Ardis network are conducting local trials of PocketGenie software. Maps On Us will be offered by any network or pager company that uses PocketGenie.
PocketGenie will be available to users of Motorola's PageWriter 2000 on the Skytel Network and Research in Motion's Inter@ctive Pager on the RAM Mobile Data and ARDIS networks. These pagers are advanced smart messaging devices. They have a relatively large screen, a full-function keypad, their own operating systems and friendly, easy-to-use interfaces. PocketGenie will run as a seamlessly integrated application on both platforms, appearing to the user to be part of the intrinsic system software.
''Maps On Us has redefined the way people plan routes and receive local information on the Web,'' said Surya Jayaweera, president of WolfeTech Corporation. ''The practicality of the Maps On Us service, combined with the suite of information services that PocketGenie currently provides access to, leads to unlimited possibilities for the end-user.''
WolfeTech Corporation, a closely-held private company, is the leader in providing information-on-demand services and access to Internet content on the next generation of smart devices, such as smart pagers and cellular telephones. Founded in January, 1997, the company headquarters are located in Claremont, California. WolfeTech is committed to bringing users powerful solutions for their everyday needs in the most effective manner possible. Additional information may be found at wolfetech.com.
Maps On Us was launched by Lucent Technologies on January 13, 1997. The Maps On Us Partnership Program adds value to third-party Web sites by providing private-label mapping, routing and yellow pages services tailored to customers' needs. Maps On Us is a popular, frequently-visited site provided free to the public that offers advertisers an attractive audience. Among numerous industry accolades, Maps On Us was chosen as one of PC Magazine's ''Top 100 Web Sites'' in the May, 1997 issue.
Key Features of Maps On Us include:
-- allowing two users to "share" or view the same Universal Resource
-- Locator (URL) and make changes to the page
-- turn-by-turn directions with multiple intermediate route locations
-- sophisticated interactive mapping functions
-- user preferences and "Hot List" of favorite places to visit
-- set a home, work, start and end marker to ease route planning
-- save and add map and route images to users' Web sites
-- set general, security, map, and route preferences
-- text-to-speech synthesis for spoken directions
-- e-mail maps, routes or yellow page results
Lucent Technologies, headquartered in Murray Hill, N.J., designs, builds and delivers a wide range of public and private networks, communications systems and software, data networking systems, business telephone systems and microelectronic components. Bell Labs is the research and development arm for the company. For more information on Lucent Technologies, visit our web site at lucent.com. |
