Verizon Wireless Announces Availability of Vindigo on Wireless Phones

July 10, 2002 - Verizon Wireless, the nation’s largest wireless service provider, today announced the availability of Vindigo, a personal navigation application for wireless phones that can be downloaded over the air onto select phones. Verizon Wireless, the first carrier in North America to offer downloadable applications to consumers nationwide, chose Vindigo because it offers its customers the ease of one-stop shopping. In more than 25 major metropolitan areas, Vindigo has comprehensive local information on where to eat, shop, and play.

The service is complete with full-color maps, ratings and reviews from brand-name content providers, and includes driving directions to any Vindigo listing. The service is available to Verizon Wireless customers for $3.75 per month and will appear on their monthly phone bill.

“Applications consumers can download over the air on their phone are available nationally and we believe these services will help us reach our goal to morph the wireless phone into a valuable resource for consumers who want up-to-the minute information to help them manage their life,” said Jim Straight, vice president of wireless data and Internet services for Verizon Wireless. “It is important that we join with content providers and developers that can give our customers the same superior service we provide and that are experts in their field. Vindigo provides a compelling consumer application with brand-name content and integrated mapping and directions, complete with hosting and maintenance.”

Each productivity application published by Vindigo for Verizon Wireless runs on QUALCOMM’s Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless (BREW), an advanced platform that allows users to download the applications over the air. Verizon Wireless subscribers using a BREW-enabled wireless phone that is compatible with the application will be able to select, purchase and download productivity applications published by Vindigo.

“We founded Vindigo in anticipation of wireless phones as powerful and compelling as the new handsets from Verizon Wireless,” said Jason Devitt, chief executive officer of Vindigo. “Today, hundreds of thousands of consumers rely on Vindigo to find what they need, wherever they are, and our relationship with Verizon Wireless allows us to deliver a similar user experience to the largest audience of wireless phone users in the country.”

Vindigo is initially available on the Verizon Wireless Z-800 with full color display ($399.99 with a two-year service agreement). Availability on other handsets will follow shortly. Customers can purchase the BREW-capable Z800 at Verizon Wireless Communications Stores throughout the country and participating RadioShack locations, or online at www.VerizonWireless.com. Additional BREW-enabled phones will be available soon.

Vindigo is currently available in the following U.S. cities: Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Brooklyn, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Fort Worth, Houston, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Greater L.A. (Burbank, Glendale and Pasadena), Miami, New York, New Orleans, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Portland, OR; San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Seattle, Twin Cities, Washington, DC.

Find more information on the Web at http://www.verizonwireless.com.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless