GPS Auto Navigation Solution to Include Neighborhood-level Accurate Weather Information and Forecasts to Help Drivers Make Safer and More Informed Driving Decisions

Germantown, Md. - WeatherBug®, operator of the world’s largest weather network, announced today an agreement with Magellan® to introduce a connected portable auto navigation solution to include live, local accurate weather information, available exclusively from the WeatherBug Network. As a result, users will be able to make safer and more informed driving decisions based on up-to-the-second weather conditions that can impact traffic, road surfaces, visibility and more.

The Magellan MaestroTM Elite 5340+GPRS connected device will receive weather conditions such as temperature, wind speed and severe weather alerts based on either its current location or a specific location. 

“Weather conditions can change rapidly and often have a huge impact on the driving decisions we make every day. Regardless of where a user is traveling, it is imperative to have weather information that is local, reliable and precise,” said Brant Clark, Sr. Product Mgr, Vehicle Navigation at Magellan. “WeatherBug’s proprietary worldwide network of tracking stations and cameras provides the live, local coverage our users expect, regardless of where or when they are traveling.”

Powered by their proprietary network, WeatherBug’s professional and consumer solutions provide the only truly live, local weather information available anywhere. The precise neighborhood-level weather conditions are delivered to millions of consumers via the Internet and mobile devices, to more than 100 state and local government agencies including the National Weather Service, and to schools, businesses and 80 broadcast television stations throughout the country.

As a leading digital media property with more than 17 million monthly users, WeatherBug is the ninth most visited site on the Web and the number one News/Information property in terms of total page views, December 2007 comScore Media Metrix.  

Previously, weather information on consumer navigation devices was only available via RDS feeds, with limited bandwidth and one way data transfer capabilities that could only support hourly updates at best. Magellan has solved that problem by providing the next generation of IP-enabled wireless devices to support live updates and two-way data transfer capabilities via GPRS connectivity.

“Weather content will continue to be a differentiating feature on the next generation of Internet-enabled consumer devices. As consumers continue to rely on these features to enhance their daily routine, they will demand the accurate weather information that only WeatherBug can provide,” said Christian Solomine, Channel Development Manager, WeatherBug Professional. “Magellan is leading the way in the navigation space by bringing innovative new products to market. Our announcement today, coupled with our recent announcement with Sharp’s new internet-enabled HDTV’s, solidifies WeatherBug’s position as the new standard for weather information on IP-enabled consumer devices.” About WeatherBug WeatherBug (http://www.weatherbug.com and http://www.weatherbugprofessional.com) ensures that individuals, schools, businesses and government agencies receive the most precise live weather information, the most relevant weather reports, and the earliest weather warnings to safeguard property, lives and to plan with confidence. WeatherBug data is unique as it is the only live, neighborhood weather available anywhere. WeatherBug is a brand of AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. (http://www.aws.com)