COVINGTON, La., May 24, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Spot LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Globalstar Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT) and leader in satellite messaging and emergency notification technologies, today announced its SPOT Connect App is now available on the App Store. The SPOT Connect App pairs iPhone, iPad and iPod touch with SPOT Connect, a revolutionary satellite communications device, to allow users to transmit messages via satellite from virtually anywhere in the world.
The SPOT Connect device provides connectivity to the Globalstar satellite network for sending location-based messages from areas beyond cellular phone coverage. The app sets up a direct Bluetooth wireless connection between the user's iPhone, iPad or iPod touch and the SPOT Connect device, allowing them to send custom messages from remote locations.
"Today's society is mobile, and people rely on their mobile devices to stay in touch and get work done on the go," said Peter Dalton, President of Spot LLC and CEO of Globalstar, Inc. "But when you're outside of cell phone coverage range, you lose the ability to communicate with others. SPOT Connect provides a cost-efficient solution enabling iPhone, iPad and iPod touch users around the world to remain connected even during critical emergencies or natural disasters."
SPOT Connect utilizes proven SPOT technology to notify others of one's GPS location coordinates and current status. By sending a message to the Globalstar satellite network, the user's selected contacts will receive a custom 'Type and 'Send' or 'Predefined' message delivered as an SMS text message or email. SPOT Connect messages contain the user's latitude and longitude, date, time stamp and a link to Google Maps™. Established SPOT message features include 'Check-in/OK,' 'Help,' 'SPOT Assist,' 'SOS' and automated 'Track Progress.'
Custom messages can now be composed and sent from the field, and users can store up to 14 predefined messages and 10 personal contact groups consisting of up to 50 contacts each. Additionally, the SPOT Connect App enables iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to act as a satellite messenger utilizing SPOT Connect's onboard GPS and satellite transmitter. Users can even send location-based messages to Facebook and Twitter and SPOT Adventures from isolated regions like the mountains or off-shore.
Pricing and Product Availability
The SPOT Connect App is available for free from the App Store on iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/.
In order to use the SPOT Connect App, a registered SPOT Connect device is required. The SPOT Connect device retails for $169.99 MSRP and requires a SPOT Basic Service subscription starting at $99.99 per year. SPOT Connect is currently available at retail locations in North America and from online sites specializing in GPS, outdoor recreation and personal electronics.
SPOT Connect is compatible with iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G, iPod touch (2nd, 3rd and 4th generation), iPad and iPad 2.
For more information on SPOT Connect and other SPOT products and services, including SPOT Assist Roadside and BoatUS Towing Services, visit www.findmeSPOT.com.
About Spot LLC
Spot LLC, a subsidiary of Globalstar, Inc. (Nasdaq:GSAT), provides emergency notification technology that allows users to communicate from remote locations around the globe. The SPOT product family uses both the GPS satellite network to determine a customer's location and the Globalstar network to transmit messages and GPS coordinates to others including an international rescue coordination center. 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 others stay connected - from disaster preparedness to outdoor adventure - visit www.findmeSPOT.com.
Note that all SPOT products described in this press release are the products of Spot LLC, which is not affiliated in any manner with Spot Image of Toulouse, France or Spot Image Corporation of Chantilly, Virginia. SPOT Connect is a trademark of Spot LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.