Media Contact:
Charles Oliva
Vindigo Studios
pr@vindigo.com

Vindigo Wins U.S. Patent for Compact Direction-Finding Technology

Patented Algorithm Computes Directions Almost Instantaneously on Mobile Devices

NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2003 - Vindigo, the leading provider of personal navigation services for wireless and mobile devices, today announces new patent protection for groundbreaking technology that requires less computer memory to calculate walking or driving distances on mobile and wireless devices. U.S. Patent No. 6,480,785, titled, "System For Determining a Route and Presenting Navigational Instructions Therefor," describes a new process designed to quickly and efficiently compute directions to places including the nearest ATM or gas station, specific theaters and restaurants, and other places to eat, shop and play. Related technologies require large, heavy hardware, while Vindigo's innovation has proven effective for compact datasets on devices with limited computational power.

Vindigo's patent describes, but is not limited to, an algorithm that organizes streets of a road network into nodes of an undirected graph, using efficient traversal algorithms to optimize routes. A key component of Vindigo's Palm OS- and Pocket PC- based software offerings for over two years, the system computes both walking and driving directions almost instantaneously.

While other algorithms for computing driving and walking directions exist, many require the major computational power of large servers to process arbitrary direction requests in a timely manner. Breaking through this technological barrier was a necessary precursor in the development of Vindigo's successful mobile navigation application, Vindigo 2.0, which operates on limited-memory devices, including handheld devices and Internet-enabled mobile phones.

"Vindigo 2.0 is designed to provide a wealth of location-specific information on inherently low-memory devices. The challenge was to invent a way for people to find directions without using every last byte of memory," said Jason Devitt, chief executive officer of Vindigo. "This newly patented technology embeds a complex navigational system into handheld devices without crippling the device memory or functionality."

Vindigo 2.0 lets users access extensive information about the best and closest places to eat, shop and play in more than 50 U.S. markets and London. By simply entering their current location, users can find entertainment options and local information, including museum exhibits, bars, stores, movie reviews and show times, and even the closest public restroom. Vindigo 2.0 also includes detailed information about services such as the location of the closest ATMs, gas stations, parking garages and police stations. The service comes complete with ratings and reviews from brand-name content providers, maps and directions to any listing.

Vindigo 2.0 for Palm Powered™ and Pocket PC handheld devices is available for download from www.vindigo.com for $3.50 per month or $24.95 for an annual subscription. New users can download a 30-day trial at no charge.

About Vindigo
Vindigo is the leading provider of personal navigation services for wireless and mobile devices. Vindigo's proprietary technology and network of content partners enables it to offer compelling and comprehensive applications to carriers and consumers via Palm Powered™ and Pocket PC handheld devices, and Internet-enabled mobile phones including BREW handsets. Vindigo enables people to explore, enjoy, and connect to the world around them.

All names may be the trademarks of their respective companies.

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