u-blox extends AssistNow A-GPS service

Thalwil, Switzerland, 15 January 2007 - u-blox AG, the Swiss provider of GPS receiver technology, announced that it has extended its AssistNow A-GPS service. The new AssistNow Offline service provides A-GPS assistance data that enables instant positioning over extended time periods without the need for mobile connectivity.

u-blox' AssistNow technology cuts a GPS receiver's 'Time To First Fix' to seconds by providing assistance data that enables the receiver to compute a position instantly. While AssistNow Online, introduced in June 2006, uses mobile networks to provide the assistance data at each start-up, the new AssistNow Offline service works independently of networks and does not require server access for data downloads at start-up.

The service provides assistance data valid for up to 14 days so users can update their assistance data files at their own convenience. AssistNow Offline uses AlmanacPlus assistance data, u-blox' unique differential Almanac correction method that achieves unrivalled positioning accuracy for long time periods.

"This new service brings instant GPS positioning anytime, anywhere," said Daniel Ammann, u-blox Executive Vice-President for GNSS Software. "Users can now benefit from always-on, accurate location services without having to worry about network coverage or waiting times." AssistNow is scalable and supports a wide range of services, from single user GPS-enabled applications to complex multi-user, multi-terminal vehicle, goods or staff management systems.

This off the shelf service requires minimal installation and maintenance efforts and works on all Flash-based ANTARIS 4 GPS receivers. Users can choose between the basic "Free Service" and the "Premium Service" with defined performance and guaranteed service levels.

AssistNow Offline is available immediately in Beta; the production version is scheduled for the second quarter of 2007. To find out more about AssistNow, visit www.u-blox.com/technology/assistnow/.

Source : http://biz.yahoo.com