Press Release

July 2004
ViaMichelin and Kirrio team up for the PDA navigation market
ViaMichelin, supplier of digital travel assistance services, and Kirrio, manufacturer of PDA accessories, have joined forces in order to launch a range of GPS navigation packs compatible with the main PDA platforms on the market. This new range of GPS navigation packs, compatible with Palm OS, Pocket PC or PCs, also anticipates the needs of PDA users by offering a choice of either a wired or Bluetooth GPS receiver. We wanted to put a ready-to-use product on the market including of course our MapSonic navigation software but also the accessories essential for transforming a PDA into a GPS navigation system. This is why we have joined forces with Kirrio, a company specialising in this field explains Vincent Pilloy, ViaMichelin Sales & Marketing Director. Kirrio also assembles and distributes these navigation packs on a European scale. With this product range, there are over 50 different PDA models which can now be easily converted into a GPS navigation system. Re-sellers and distributors can now meet the increasing demands of PDA owners, with complete packs starting from 299 (approximately 200) added Philipe Mat, Kirrio Chairman. The ViaMichelin GPS Navigation Pack range for PDAs: Available in specialist stores and from the online store at www.ViaMichelin.co.uk, these GPS navigation packs are supplied with the latest MapSonic software version. In a just a few simple steps, they can transform a PDA into a versatile navigation system with voice guidance, providing PDA owners with stress-free journeys whenever and wherever they travel. A complete solution, ideal for daily use, in the car or on foot, and even in a rental car when on holiday or on business. Each product in the ViaMichelin GPS Navigation Pack range includes: a GPS receiver (Bluetooth or wired), cables and 3 mounting options supplied by Kirrio the latest version of ViaMichelins MapSonic navigation software with voice guidance (a choice of 7 European geographical regions). The 1.3 version of the MapSonic software offers new functions added such as: - 3D screen display with perspective adjustment options - day / night screen display options - user-friendly interface which can be personalised - screen functions accessed at the touch of a finger Other functions includeroute calculation, map display with 20 levels of zoom, key word search engine, driving directions with road sign displays, interacts with the PDA address book, points of interest display (car parks, airports, hospitals, service stations), automatic and instant route calculation if a wrong turn is taken, permanent display of the GPS reception quality, etc.
The European mapping coverage is available in 7 titles: France Belgium Luxemburg Switzerland Germany Austria Switzerland Benelux Spain Portugal Italy Switzerland Scandinavia (Denmark Sweden Norway) United Kingdom Ireland Europe version (as a separate product) Wired ViaMichelin GPS Navigation Pack Compatible with: palmOne Tungsten T, T2, T3, C and Zire 71, HP iPAQ: h2210, h41, h43, h54, h55, h38 and h39 series, Sony Clie PEG NX, TJ, TG and TH series, Dell Axim: X3 series, Qtek 1010, 2020, XDA, MDA, iPDA, Fujitsu Siemens Pocket Loox 600 and 610 Pack includes: MapSonic Country software, wired GPS receiver, adjustable cradle, 3 mounting options, cables Recommended retail price: 299 (approximately 200) Wired ViaMichelin GPS Navigation Pack Compatible with: HP iPAQ h1930 and h1940, palmOne Tungsten E, Zire 72 Pack contains: MapSonic Country software, wired GPS receiver, adjustable cradle, 3 mounting options, cables. Recommended retail price: 329 (approximately 230) Bluetooth ViaMichelin GPS Navigation Pack (including The MICHELIN Europe Guide) Compatible with: HP iPAQ (h1940, h2210, h4150, h4350, h5450, h5550, h3870, h3970), palmOne Tungsten T, T2,T3, Zire 72, Sony CLI PEG NX, NZ, TG and TH series Pack includes: MapSonic Country software, Bluetooth GPS receiver, adjustable cradle, 3 mounting options, cables Recommended retail price: 379 (approximately 260)

About ViaMichelin A wholly owned subsidiary of the Michelin Group, ViaMichelin designs, develops and markets digital travel assistance products and services for road users throughout Europe. Drawing on over a century of Michelin experience in travel assistance, this activity, launched in 2001, targets both the general public and businesses. It offers a wide range of services and products (maps, route plans, hotels, restaurants, tourist information, weather and traffic reports), available on a variety of media: the Internet (ww.ViaMichelin.com), mobile phones, CD-ROMs for PCs, CD-ROMs for in-car navigation systems and PDA software.
About Kirrio: Founded in 2002 by Jean-Luc Verr, Franck Gaheneau and Youness Benammou in association with the INS Group, Kirrio is a Bordeaux-based limited company with capital of 40,000. A manufacturer of accessories for PDAs and mobile terminals: electronic organisers, Palm, Pocket PC, game terminals, mobile phones. For more information, comment, photography or evaluation products, please contact:
Phillippa Streets or Ruth Andrew, Bite Communications Tel: 1123 Email: viamichelin@bitepr.com. ViaMichelin UK: Tina With-Seidelin on 9398 E-mail: twithseidelin@ViaMichelin.com

Media Alert

April 2005

A Solution for Every Dad

ViaMichelins GPS Navigation Packs are the ultimate Fathers Day present this year
ViaMichelins versatile GPS Navigation packs are the perfect gift for Dads this year. Compatible with popular PDA platforms (such as Palm OS and Pocket PC), this software turns the PDA into an in-car navigation system with voice guidance in just one plug! Whether your Dad is a business man, an adventurer, a gadget fanatic, a food-lover - or all of the above - then the ViaMichelin GPS Navigation pack will suit his needs. As the pack comes equipped with the easy-to-use Plug and Drive SD card, your Dad only needs to insert the pre-programmed card into the PDA to instantly turn his PDA into the ultimate navigating tool. For professional Dads Is your Dad a professional traveller, always on the move? Treat him to a ViaMichelin navigation pack, youll make his journey stress-free and enjoyable and he will never be late to his business meetings again. The ViaMichelin Navigation software also links up with The MICHELIN Guide software for PDAs, ensuring he will always be able to find the right restaurant to take his business colleagues to, be it a gourmet Michelin-starred restaurant or a cosy brasserie. For the adventurous Father The ViaMichelin GPS navigation packs are the perfect solution for Dads on holiday who take charge of the map (but are too proud to ask for directions when they lose their way). With instant access to the entire mapping data of a country, the route screen display in 3D and the GPS function with voice guidance; your Dad will find his way from A to B wherever he wants to explore. The navigation packs include an easy-to-install car kit, ensuring that even when driving in a rental car in a foreign country, Dad will be in the know on where to go! For gourmet Daddy Is your Dad a sophisticated food connoisseur keen to sample the local cuisine and treat the whole family to exquisite meals in Michelin-starred restaurants? He will love ViaMichelins GPS Navigation pack that includes an electronic version of the renowned Michelin guide with recommendations on where to eat and drink while youre abroad. For gadget Man For the tech-savvy Dad, the ViaMichelin GPS Pack includes the latest accessories from Kirrio such as an adjustable car cradle, three mounting options, and a GPS receiver available
in wired or Bluetooth versions. With the latest version of ViaMichelin Navigation scheduled for release in mid-April, Dad will be in gadget heaven with the new touch-screen features, the user-friendly interface and the UK postcode search function. Just want to get Dad a little treat? If your Dad is already on the ball and has all the PDA GPS equipment, why not get him the latest PDA software from ViaMichelin? Offering a wide range of PDA software from the latest 2005 MICHELIN Guides to ViaMichelin Navigation version 3 (regional and European titles available), ensure that Dad can drive comfortably in the knowledge he has the latest maps, and hotel and restaurant recommendations at his fingertips! The guide price for the ViaMichelin GPS packs remain the same, 299 for the wired version and 379 for the Bluetooth version. Designed by Kirrio and ViaMichelin, these indispensable driving tools and a wide range of PDA software are available from the ViaMichelin e-store: www.shop.viamichelin.com as well as major retail stores such as Argos and Dixons.

ViaMichelin Navigation - GPS Pack wired is compatible with: PalmOneTM Zire 71, 72, Tro 600, Tungsten E, C, T, T2, T3 HP iPAQ: h1930, rz1710, rx3715, h1940, h2210, h4150 UK 256 MB SD Card ViaMichelin Navigation CD-ROM (United Kingdom & Ireland) Kirrio wired GPS receiver, adjustable cradle, three mounting options Guide price: 299 (including VAT) ViaMichelin Navigation - GPS Pack Bluetooth is compatible with: PalmOneTM Tungsten T, T2, T3, Zire 72 HP iPAQ: h1940, h2210, h4150, rx3715 UK 256 MB SD Card ViaMichelin Navigation CD-ROM (United Kingdom & Ireland) Kirrio Bluetooth GPS receiver, adjustable cradle, three mounting options The Guide MICHELIN Europe Guide price: 379 (including VAT)
About ViaMichelin ViaMichelin is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Michelin Group. ViaMichelin designs, develops and markets digital travel products and services for European road users. Drawing upon Michelin's centennial expertise in the travel world, this activity, launched in 2001, is intended for leisure and business users alike. ViaMichelin provides a full range of services (maps, route plans, hotels, restaurants, traffic information, and tourist information) which can be accessed through a variety of digital media: the Internet (www.ViaMichelin.co.uk), mobile phones, PCs (with CD-ROMs), in-car navigation systems and PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) software.
For more information, please contact: Bite Communications: Krista Burnett or Lucie Arnaud on 1123 Email: viamichelin@bitepr.com