Currently launching in the United Kingdom and due for launch in Spring 2005 across Europe and the U.S., Gizmondo will offer an extensive range of location-based services, powered by MapInfo Envinsa, which provides mapping, routing and geocoding capabilities. These capabilities enable Gizmondo to offer critical mapping and location functionality to the end user.

The initial services offer will fall into two categories: added value services for the end user - such as "where am I?" and "find the nearest" - and services that enhance personal safety, such as tracking and panic button features.

"Gizmondo is the most powerful handheld multi-entertainment device available today. One of the key differentiators for Gizmondo is the broad range of location-based services that we will be able to offer customers in Europe and globally thanks to the MapInfo Envinsa platform.

We are launching the product in the U.S. and continental Europe in the spring, with other markets to follow, and our partnership with MapInfo is central to our success," said Steve Carroll, CTO, Gizmondo Europe.

"Gizmondo has really 'hit the spot' in the gaming market and has already secured pre-release orders of more than 500,000 units," said Mark Cattini, CEO and president, MapInfo. "MapInfo is providing the location-based services technology, which offers many of the added services that will help make Gizmondo so compelling,"

"Envinsa is a single consistent location-based infrastructure implemented in-house for Gizmondo, enabling them to deliver critical location functionality where it is needed without having to become experts in MapInfo technology. We are providing the consultancy, customization and training for a platform that will support hundreds of new applications limited only by imagination."

Initially, Gizmondo Europe will offer the following services to Gizmondo mobile device users based on MapInfo capabilities--find location, map delivery, find and navigate points of interest, tracking and personal alarm.

These will be supplemented in time by location-based gaming and other services. Gizmondo services roll out will initially be in the UK, Germany, France, Spain and Italy with U.S. and other markets to follow.

Gizmondo Europe Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tiger Telematics Inc. and is the maker of Gizmondo, a next-generation mobile entertainment device. Launched in 2004, the gaming device includes built-in music, video, messaging and picture functions and GPS.

Tiger Telematics is a designer, developer and marketer of mobile telematics systems and services that combine global GPS functions and voice recognition technology to locate and track vehicles and people down to street level in countries throughout the world.

The systems are designed to operate on GPS and are currently being marketed to GSM current and potential subscribers, primarily by the company's United Kingdom based subsidiaries.

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