LEUVEN, Belgium – May 26 2008 – Option (Euronext: OPTI; OTC: OPNVY), the wireless technology company, today announced that Pioneer Corporation has selected the iCON 225 wireless USB modem to add broadband connectivity to its latest car navigation system for the Japanese market, the Air Navi AVIC-T10. An iCON 225 is provided with the car navigation system to customers who sign-up with Pioneer Mobile Networks. Pioneer Mobile Networks is an MVNO offering mobile services across the Softbank Mobile network.
The addition of the iCON 225 allows the Air Navi to deliver innovative new services to drivers. Real-time information available from Pioneer includes congestion warnings and petrol prices along the route, a weather forecast for the selected destination at the estimated arrival time and notification of parking space availability that is sent five minutes before arrival.
In addition, the iCON 225-connected Air Navi supports Naviportal Services from Naviportal Corporation. Naviportal allows destinations and routes to be defined in advance and downloaded from the driver’s “Navi Folder” when the Air Navi is activated. It also provides recommendations relevant to the destination based on the driver’s activity history and other data. Examples include local event information, TV spotlights which highlight places featured in TV programmes, news bulletins and weather reports. Appointment requests received by email can also be saved in the Navi Folder and downloaded for display on the Air Navi’s display.
Based in Japan, Pioneer Corporation is a leading global manufacturer of consumer- and business-use electronics products such as audio, video and car electronics. The Mobile Entertainment Business group is working to expand the frontiers of in-car entertainment by fusing audiovisual entertainment and car navigation systems using the latest technological innovations.
Option’s iCON 225 is a lightweight (only 40 g) and small HSDPA USB device, specifically aimed at mass market business. More information about the iCON 225 can be found at https://www.option.com/en/site/products/products/usb-modems/gi0225/