ALK announces MINI/BMW Pocket PC GPS Navigation system, powered by CoPilot Live MINI/BMW GPS CoPilot Live is an amazing portable and affordable GPS navigation system that is also a powerful Microsoft Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC Paris, France, November 23rd, 2004- ALK Technologies Ltd, leading developer of navigation systems, today announced the availability of the award-winning CoPilot Live Pocket PC GPS navigation system for MINI and BMW customers in France. Already a huge success in the United Kingdom, North America and Australia, the announcement also sees the first official availability of ALK’s CoPilot Live GPS navigation in France, a special edition supplied exclusively through MINI and BMW Authorised Dealers. GPS MINI CoPilot Live is an advanced Satellite Navigation System on a powerful Microsoft Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC. Featuring an integrated GPS receiver; detailed street maps and lightening-fast route calculation, it’s an easy-to-use, premium navigation system that can guide drivers door to door across France or Europe according to their choice, and can be moved between vehicles easily. Incorporating the latest street maps of France from NAVTEQ, CoPilot Live provides detailed turn-by-turn directions door-to-door spoken and on-screen, whether it be with a map or a pictogram, in French. Drivers can choose from a variety of map views, including ‘Where Am I’, 3D view and Driver Safety. Estimated Time of Arrival, distance to the next turn and distance to destination are always displayed. Numerous customisable options include low-glare night mode, fastest/shortest route and avoid tolls. Maps and software are supplied preloaded on a 256 MB or 1GB storage card making set-up incredibly easy. Customers can choose from maps of France or the whole of Europe. Unlike many comparable navigation systems, CoPilot Live provides seamless routing door to door right across the continent, with no need for swapping maps at country borders. “We are delighted to launch CoPilot Live for MINI and BMW customers in France” said Aurore Tenenbaum, Country Manager, ALK Technologies France. “GPS MINI CoPilot Live offers drivers all the benefits of Satellite Navigation without the high cost and inflexibility of in-dash systems, and provides the high quality on-road experience that MINI and BMW drivers demand” “Our customers are very interested in GPS navigation, and MINI GPS CoPilot Live enables us to offer them a powerful, portable yet affordable system” said Jerome Trioux, Coordinateur Pièces de Rechange et Services, à la clientèle du département MINI de BMW France. “We chose ALK’s CoPilot Live software because it provides our customers with premium navigation at the standard of the BMW Group, and compliments the MINI brand values of mobility, quality, and of course “Fun and Chic”. For Laurent Dugimont, Windows Mobile Product Manager at Microsoft France “A Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC with ALK Technologies CoPilot Live GPS navigation, provides MINI and BMW customers with a fantastic mobile experience that enables them to find the best itinerary on the road, while providing easy access to standard PDA functions whether it be inside or outside a car (Multimedia, Internet, Outlook Contacts, agenda, etc) Moreover, the GPS MINI CoPilot Live solution is a complete navigation kit that does not require professional installation and can be easily moved between vehicles.” A comprehensive range of accessories is supplied with each kit, including a 256MB “QuickStart” storage card with maps of France pre-loaded; a 1GB “Quickstart” storage card with maps of Western Europe pre-loaded; 2 in-car mounting kits; an in-car charger; protective case; headphones; AC power adaptor, PC Synchronisation cable and an external GPS antenna. The system is available to purchase through Authorised MINI and BMW dealers throughout France for 750,00 TTC € with NAVTEQ maps of France and 920,00 TTC € with Pan-European Navteq maps. Customers benefit for the computer material from a 2-year warranty. Both the Technical department at BMW Group France and ALK Technologies are available to answer their questions and technical requests. A “Hotline” number is available for Authorised BMW and MINI dealers and their customers. About ALK Technologies Ltd ALK Technologies is a leading developer of high-quality, user-friendly navigation and mapping solutions for private, commercial and corporate customers worldwide. With a 25 year heritage, ALK customers are confident of award-winning route planning, guidance and satellite navigation technology. For every journey an ALK customer makes, they can be sure of always knowing where they are, whether on the road or on foot. With ALK Technologies, journeys are safe, enjoyable and anxiety-free. The company’s award-winning CoPilot Live navigation solutions transform mobile computers into powerful, premium navigation systems, and are available for Windows Mobile-based Smartphones, Pocket PCs and Windows-based Tablet PCs/Laptops. ALK is a member of the Microsoft Mobility Partner Advisory Council (MPAC), a unique partner programme developed by Microsoft Corp. to serve as a focussed feedback mechanism for Microsoft Windows Mobile platform development, and provide leading companies with the tools and resources they need to bring the most innovative and successful mobility solutions to market.
