DeLorme Unveils Plans for First-Ever Personal Communicator with 2-Way Messaging, Iridium Global Satellite Coverage, and an Android Interface

YARMOUTH, Maine, June 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- DeLorme, the innovation leader in navigation technology, today announced the Fall 2011 release of the DeLorme inReach, the first Iridium-based personal communicator to deliver two-way satellite text messaging and email; delivery confirmations; SOS capabilities; remote tracking, and an Android smartphone interface. 

The inReach promises to revolutionize the way people stay affordably connected over the 90% of the Earth's surface not covered by cellular and land-based phone service. Its capabilities address the needs of anyone from outdoors enthusiasts to professional users in remote outposts.

The core communication component of the inReach is the Iridium 9602 short-burst data (SBD) transceiver, which provides a unique two-way communications connection through the world's furthest-reaching satellite network. Iridium's pole-to-pole global connectivity means inReach users can send and receive messages anywhere on the planet.

The GPS-enabled inReach can be used by itself or paired with either an Android smartphone or a DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w GPS.

When using the inReach as a standalone device, users can send pre-loaded text messages to designated recipients. They can also activate remote tracking, allowing others to follow their travels online via a continually-updated "bread crumb" trail. Unlike other standalone satellite messengers, the inReach provides delivery confirmation via flashing LED lights. In case of an emergency, an SOS key can be triggered. The SOS key is protected by a "safety" to prevent false alarms.

When paired with either an Android smartphone or the DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w GPS, users enjoy full-featured, two-way text messaging (up to 160 characters per message), to and from email addresses and cell phones. In case of emergency, Android or PN-60w users can describe their predicament so responders can better prepare, and an ongoing dialog can be maintained for mutual status updates.  Any SOS message, whether relayed from a standalone or a paired inReach, will automatically activate remote tracking.

Android users can drive the inReach device's onboard GPS signal to their phone, improving both positional accuracy and phone battery life. A free application with DeLorme Topo North America maps will be available for the Android. 

The inReach is compact, lightweight, waterproof, floatable and impact-resistant, and it can maintain satellite signal lock even in difficult GPS environments. Annual subscription plans for messaging and tracking begin at just $9.95 per month.  

The DeLorme inReach will be available in October. Suggested retail price is $249.95.

About DeLorme

DeLorme is the longtime leader in innovative mapping and GPS solutions for commercial and government markets and offers a unique set of core competencies across the complex areas of map data creation, software development, and GPS integration. Learn more at www.delorme.com.

About Iridium Communications Inc.

Iridium is the only mobile voice and data satellite communications network that spans the entire globe. Iridium enables connections between people, organizations and assets to and from anywhere, in real time. Together with its ever-expanding ecosystem of partner companies, Iridium delivers an innovative and rich portfolio of reliable solutions for markets that require truly global communications. Headquartered in McLean, Va., U.S.A., Iridium trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbols IRDM (common stock), IRDMW ($7.00 warrants), IRDMZ ($11.50 warrants) and IRDMU (units). For more information, visit www.iridium.com.

SOURCE DeLorme