Pharos is introducing a new GPS receiver called the Pharos iGPS-500 which is designed to work with the new class of PC’s called the Ultra-mobile PC (more on that later on!). The iGPS-500 has a modular design which allows it to be connected to a wide range of devices in a variety of ways. You can connect via Serial, USB, CompactFlash, PCMCIA, SDIO, or Bluetooth. This also means the Pharos iGPS-500 can be used with the Ultra-mobile PC, Windows Mobile based Pocket PCs, Windows XP systems, and Windows Mobile based Smartphones.

The receiver comes with the SiRFstarIII GPS architecture built right in and can work with a variety of software applications including Microsoft Streets and Trips 2006, Microsoft AutoRoute 2006 and Microsoft MapPoint. 

You can expect the iGPS-500 in April. The Serial/USB version will sell for $99 while the Bluetooth version will go for $199.  

Pharos Puts the World in Your Hands: Introducing the Pharos iGPS-500, State-of-the-Art GPS for the Ultra-Mobile PC

TORRANCE, Calif. –(Business Wire)– March 9, 2006 Pharos today introduced the Pharos iGPS-500, a powerful new GPS receiver designed to work with the groundbreaking new class of Ultra-Mobile PCs running on Windows XP software. As business becomes ever more global, the iGPS-500 will provide mobile professionals with advanced location and navigation capabilities as a part of a comprehensive desktop experience on a lightweight mobile PC.

The iGPS-500’s unique modular design allows users to add GPS positioning and navigation capability via the serial, USB, CompactFlash, PCMCIA, SDIO port or Bluetooth(TM) wireless connection to a variety of mobile devices, including the Ultra-Mobile PC, Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC or Windows Mobile-based Smartphone products among others.

The iGPS-500 features the highly sensitive SiRFstarIII GPS architecture. With its rapid time-to-first-fix and high sensitivity, the iGPS-500 is engineered to meet the rigorous demands of wireless and handheld LBS applications, and provides superior location performance, both indoors and out. The iGPS-500 works seamlessly with Microsoft Streets & Trips 2006, Microsoft AutoRoute 2006 and Microsoft MapPoint software, as does its predecessor, the iGPS-360.

“Every business traveler has a unique set of preferences when they take technology on the road,” said Andy Wang, Vice President, Pharos. “We have developed advanced GPS solutions for every form factor so mobile professionals can enjoy precise location and navigation assistance on the hardware that suits their needs.”

“Pharos has a track record for delivering great GPS solutions for Windows-based devices,” said Bill Mitchell, vice president of the Mobile Platforms Division at Microsoft Corp. “Ultra-Mobile PC users will be able to take full advantage of the iGPS-500 and iGPS-360 solutions and navigate confidently through city streets and countrysides with programs like Microsoft Streets and Trips.”

Pharos expects to ship the iGPS-500 in April 2006 at estimated retail prices ranging from $99 for the serial/USB cable version to $199 for the Bluetooth wireless version.

About Pharos

Pharos Science & Applications, Inc. is a leading provider of GPS navigation solutions and location-based services for mobile devices. The company is a charter member of Microsoft’s Partner Advisory Council, a Qualcomm BREW Developer and a member of ITS America and CTIA. Pharos products are sold through a network of leading national retail locations and online stores, including Amazon, Best Buy, Circuit City, CompUSA, DataVision, Dell, eXpansys, Fry’s Electronics, RCS, Tech Depot and others. For more information, please visit http://www.pharosgps.com.

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