FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Oct. 29, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spot LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT) and a leader in personal satellite messaging and emergency communications, today announced its further commitment to the maritime market by unveiling a new SPOT satellite-based, security, recovery and messaging product, SPOT HUG (Hybrid Universal Guardian). Spot LLC is showcasing its entire line of award-winning satellite GPS tracking and messaging products at the 2009 Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show at the SPOT booth # 3057-3058 located in the Broward County Convention Center October 29 - November 2, 2009.
SPOT HUG, scheduled to be commercially available in North America spring 2010, is the newest addition to the growing SPOT product family providing an innovative and easy-to-install satellite-based asset monitoring and messaging system for boats. SPOT HUG monitors the boat's location and sends "unauthorized movement" alerts to the SPOT Asset Monitoring Center providing 100% satellite-based theft protection. In addition, SPOT HUG provides peace-of-mind and safety messaging features found with the SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger.
Equipped with a self-installed Base Station and key fobs, SPOT HUG automatically sets a "Home Base" position providing a security range for the boat. If the asset moves beyond the range without the fob present, the Base Station immediately alerts the Monitoring Center with its GPS position. The boat owner also receives notification of the unauthorized movement via SMS and/or email alert.
When in range of the Base Station, the popular satellite messaging functions of SPOT can be initiated from the fob transmitting location-based messages to personal contacts, track progress and summon help with SPOT Assist services or in an emergency via SPOT's global emergency response center.
"Today's introduction of SPOT HUG offers the boating community a low-cost innovative solution providing asset protection and personal satellite messaging found in one product," said Peter Dalton, CEO of Globalstar Inc. and President of Spot LLC.
"We are pleased to expand our product line and provide additional services offering increased levels of safety and security for our customers, their families and now their boats."
Pricing and Availability:
SPOT HUG's suggested hardware retail price is expected to be under $500 plus an additional annual subscription price for service which will include unlimited asset monitoring and personal satellite messaging. For more information on SPOT products and location-based satellite services like roadside assistance, visit www.findmespot.com.
About SPOT LLC
The SPOT satellite product family 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 call center. Spot LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), provides 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 LLC is helping users live to tell about it(SM) -- from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure purposes -- visit www.findmespot.com.
The SPOT Adventures logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=6660