MILPITAS, Calif., June 3, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- SPOT Inc., the pioneer behind the award-winning SPOT Satellite Messenger(tm) today launched the beta release of SPOT shared pages -- a free, easy-to-use Web-based software application that enables users to share their GPS location waypoints and SPOT messages with others via an email link displaying sophisticated mapping and real time tracking on Google Maps(tm).
SPOT, the world's first satellite messenger, sends the users' GPS location and custom messages to family and friends or emergency responders over a satellite communications network. Users can designate up to ten email or cell phone addresses to receive messages directly. Now with SPOT shared pages, users can create, manage and share their SPOT messages, with enhanced GPS waypoints, from around town or around the world for anyone online to track the SPOT user's progress.
"With its introduction, the SPOT Satellite Messenger gave people who spend their days outside of cell coverage the ability to send a message to a small, select group in real time," said Darren Bassel, Marketing Director for SPOT Inc. "Shared pages are an answer to the tremendous response we've seen from all of the adventure racers, hikers, bikers, hunters, boaters, and pilots who can now broadcast their waypoint history to anyone with a web connection. SPOT shared pages takes social networking into the real world since SPOT subscribers can update others over the web with a single button push from virtually anywhere."
The shared pages service is a no-charge optional feature that is available to any SPOT subscriber so others can view their SPOT messages whether they have a SPOT account or not. The user creates his or her shared page, chooses what information is to be shown and emails a web link to friends and family. Currently, shared pages can display the last 24 hours of any subscriber's SPOT data. Later this summer it is expected users will be able to share up to seven days' worth of information. Shared pages can be either password protected for limited access or available to the general public without restriction.
SPOT subscribers control every aspect of their shared page including:
* Public and private settings * Multiple shared pages * One or multiple SPOT messengers to be shared * Personalization/naming of shared pages * Password protection * What Information is shown * Creation of new and overall maintenance of their shared pages
SPOT enables users to send their location and message to friends, family, or emergency responders, and to visually track the location of the SPOT satellite messenger through four simple functions:
* Alert 9-1-1 notifies the emergency response center of your GPS location * Ask for Help sends a request for help to friends and family * Check In lets contacts know where you are and that you are OK * Track Progress sends and saves your location and allows contacts to track your progress using Google Maps(tm)
Weighing just over 7 ounces and sold at U.S. $169.95 SRP, the SPOT satellite messenger provides a new level of safety and peace-of-mind for anyone who spends a considerable amount of time in the outdoors or just wants to stay connected with a line of communication.
For more information about SPOT Shared pages and how to share adventures online, please visit www.findmespot.com.
About SPOT Inc.
The SPOT Satellite Messenger, the world's first satellite messenger, uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer's location and the SPOT network to transmit that information to friends, family or an emergency service center. SPOT Inc., a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), provides lifesaving communications technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. Thanks to this affordable, cutting-edge personal safety device, the company offers people peace-of-mind by allowing customers to notify friends and family of their location and status, and to send for emergency assistance in time of need, completely independent of cellular phone or wireless coverage. For more information on how SPOT Inc. is helping users live to tell about it(sm) -- from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure purposes -- visit www.findmespot.com.
NOTE TO EDITORS: to download a high resolution picture of the SPOT Satellite Messenger please visit http://sales.findmespot.com/photoshoot/index.htm.