V-Enable Licenses MapQuest Services to Deliver Multimodal Directory Assistance for Mobile Phone Customers
V-Enable, the worldwide leader in mobile Multimodal solutions, today announced it has licensed MapQuest business solutions to offer users an easier, more customized way to receive directory assistance using a mobile device.
San Diego, CA, June 1, 2004
By combining V-Enable's technology and MapQuest's superior mapping services, mobile phone users -- coast-to-coast -will have the ability to download full-color interactive maps and driving directions.
For example, consumers can enter their point of departure and destination information into their mobile device using voice commands and then receive step-by-step driving directions displayed in an easy-to-use format.
V-Enable's multimodal technology promises to accelerate the adoption of data and speech services for carriers worldwide. Multimodal access enables users to interact with a wireless application in a variety of ways, including: input with speech, a keyboard, keypad, mouse and/or stylus; and output as synthesized speech, audio, plain text, motion video and/or graphics.
"MapQuest's powerful mapping engine makes it easy for customers to get directory assistance where ever they are, from their mobile devices," said Fernando Corona, president and CEO of V-Enable. "By joining high-quality mapping capabilities from MapQuest with V-Enable's multimodal technology, US Cellular, Verizon and Alltel customers get the best of both worlds? accurate directions that are actually easy to access on the go."
Per the agreement, V-Enable's SAY IT.BIZFINDER™and SAY IT. MAP IT™ applications will integrate MapQuest technology to include highly-accurate maps, driving direction directions and other location-based services.
V-Enable's directory assistance applications will also offer MapQuest Powered Page maps and directions for on-the-go consumers. SAY IT. MAP IT™ is currently available on LG VX6000 phones at Verizon Wireless' Get It Now SM. SAY IT.BIZFINDER™is available at US Cellular easyedgeSM and Alltel axcessSM on LG VX5450 phones.
"We are very excited to be a part of the introduction of the first application of V-Enable's technology as it will speed users' access to improved directory assistance," said Walt Doyle, vice president and general manager of MapQuest Business Solutions. "With embedded MapQuest technology, V-Enable is delivering applications that cellular customers are asking for; from driving directions to full-color maps, mobile device users want an easy to use interface for inputting and downloading information? and together we can deliver."
About V-Enable
V-Enable, Inc. is the leader in developing, delivering and enabling carrier infrastructure software that brings a rich user experience for today's mobile user, based on the Company's patented veANYWAY™ Multimodal technology. Multimodal technology promises to accelerate the adoption of data and speech services for carriers worldwide. Though offering standards-based solutions, V-Enable provides the carrier with maximum flexibility and extensibility of their network. The company, founded in 2001, is headquartered in San Diego, CA. V-Enable was founded by wireless experts from Nokia, Motorola, PacketVideo and Cisco. For more information, visit www.v-enable.com.
About MapQuest
MapQuest helps people find places. Headquartered in Denver, Colorado and Mountville, Pennsylvania, MapQuest offers Web, Wireless, Business Solutions, and Published products worldwide. MapQuest.com, both the top mapping and directories site on the Web according to comScore Media Metrix, served 38 million users in February 2005. MapQuest also empowers more than 1,400 businesses with software solutions to location-enable Web and wireless applications, and is a leading provider of custom mapping content for publishers and corporations, producing more than 1.5 billion pages of printed maps every year. MapQuest.com Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of America Online, Inc.