
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 18, 2007
FUGAWI
LAUNCHES NEW CELL PHONE NAVIGATOR
AND FREE MAPPING WEBSITE FOR OUTDOOR COMMUNITY
Powerful
Web 2.0 based mapping resource converts non-GPS enabled
phones into GPS outdoor navigators with no added hardware
TORONTO,
Canada – GPS software manufacturer Northport Systems,
Inc., has launched Fugawi Touratel, a new cell phone-based outdoor
navigation software and interactive web site, today for use in the
United States.
Designed to enhance outdoor
activities such as hiking, mountain biking, fishing, hunting and
more, Fugawi Touratel provides exceptional map detail on a wide
variety of mobile phone handsets as well as the complimentary touratel.com
website.
A first in GPS software
solutions for the outdoor recreation market, Fugawi Touratel is
a Web 2.0-based cell phone navigation software product that delivers
high-resolution US Geological Survey (USGS) topographic maps, air
photos and urban photos to a wide variety of cell phone models within
the USA. In addition, users receive a host of other useful third-party
location based applications, such as detailed streets maps of the
USA, all for one low monthly fee. Fugawi Touratel is currently compatible
with many models from Motorola, Samsung, Sanyo and LG, on the Sprint,
Alltel and Boost networks with more networks and cell phone models
to be added shortly. Because Fugawi Touratel utilizes the cellular
network-derived “Assisted GPS” location, the supported
phones do not require a specific-use internal or Bluetooth connected
GPS. Also, due to its unique Web 2.0 architecture, the user does
not need to download and install client software – the entire
Fugawi Touratel application works through the internet connection.
Users will benefit from added map content and ongoing product development
instantaneously, without the need to download updates or apply patches.
“We are
pleased to offer USGS topographic maps to the public at no charge
though our new web resource, touratel.com,” said Robin Martel,
president of Northport Systems. “Our Fugawi Touratel Web 2.0
backend also allows us to address tremendous consumer demand for
mobile navigation technology by delivering outdoor GPS applications
to a much wider variety of existing phones which could not previously
be used for navigation.”
The www.touratel.com
website is a free service enabling users to view and print copies
of high quality maps. The site contains all of the USGS topographic
maps for the USA, including Hawaii and Alaska, at all available
scales, including 1:24,000, 1:100,000 and 1:250,000. Also available
through the intuitive tab-based interface are high quality air photos
and Google™ maps so the user can review their area of interest
utilizing several different map sources. Users can zoom in to any
part of the USA and print paper copies to take with them. From the
website, users can also check the compatibility of their specific
cell phone and, if they wish, sign up and immediately start navigating
with the USGS topographic maps on their handset.
“Our
Touratel web services have been designed from the ground up to allow
for rapid development of richer feature sets and growth into new
applications and markets”, continues Martel. “We will
add new map content and additional services in early 2008.”
Availability
For more
information on Fugawi Touratel, or to learn more about Northport
Systems and its entire product line, please contact (416) 920-9300,
or visit www.touratel.com.
A regularly updated list of compatible carriers and handsets can
also be found on the www.touratel.com
website.
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About
Northport Systems, Inc.:
Established in 1995 in Toronto, Canada, Northport Systems, Inc.
now supplies PC, PDA and Web 2.0-based navigation and mapping software
products to over 130 countries under the Fugawi brand. Northport
enjoys a worldwide reputation as a leader in GPS mapping software
and innovative GPS applications for the outdoor recreation, marine,
tracking and military markets. www.fugawi.com and www.touratel.com

Fugawi Touratel
on Motorola RAZR
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