Popular Mechanics Honors Cobra and Phone Halo With Editor's Choice Award at 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show

CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Cobra Electronics Corporation (Nasdaq: COBR), a leading manufacturer of mobile electronics products, today announced that Popular Mechanics, one of America's most trusted men's magazines, has recognized the newly unveiled Cobra PhoneTag™ product with its Editor's Choice Awards at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the world's largest annual tradeshow for consumer technology and America's largest annual tradeshow of any kind.  The unique new Bluetooth®-enabled tracking system for smartphones and other valuables was named as one of nineteen products at CES to be awarded an Editor's Choice Award.  The winners were honored at a ceremony at the Consumer Electronics Show on Thursday, January 6, 2011.  

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"Our editors spend weeks doing advance research and then give the most promising CES products hands-on workouts to find those they feel are 'Best in Show' in terms of excellence and innovation in design and engineering," said Popular Mechanics Editor-in-Chief James Meigs.

Cobra's new Bluetooth tracking system is powered by Phone Halo Technology that links a smartphone to a person or their tagged belongings.  It functions as a two-way alarm and loss prevention device between Android, BlackBerry or iPhone smartphones and you or your valuable items, such as keys, laptop bags, purses, or other tagged items.  The system pairs the downloadable smartphone app to the Bluetooth device, which is attached to an item that you want to protect.  The software monitors the distance between the phone and tagged items and alerts the owner if the smartphone and the Bluetooth device become separated.  

In the event the system detects that a valuable item is being left behind, the smartphone application records the GPS location and time of when and where the items became separated. The software then sends the GPS information to a user-defined contact list through email, text message, or optionally using a linked Facebook or Twitter account.  Cobra PhoneTag can also act as a two-way locator via a simple button tap that causes both the smartphone and the Bluetooth device to emit an audible ring.

"In 2011 Cobra Electronics is celebrating our 50-year anniversary with a theme of '50 Years of Innovation,' so it is truly a fitting honor to be recognized by the editors of Popular Mechanics with an Editor's Choice Award for the excellence and innovation of this new product," said Sally Washlow, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Cobra Electronics.  "Smartphones have evolved to become a critically important part of our lives, and we believe the market is ready to embrace a product that leverages the power of smartphones and Bluetooth technology to help protect our phones and our other valuable personal belongings."

For a complete list of Popular Mechanics Editor's Choice Award winners, please visit: http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/editors-choice-awards-top-19-gadgets-at-ces-2011#fbIndex7.

Cobra PhoneTag has a manufacturer suggested retail price of $59.95 and will be available at leading retailers nationwide this summer.

About Popular Mechanics:

Popular Mechanics, published monthly by Hearst Magazines, inspires, instructs and influences almost 9 million curious readers. Their mindset - the hunger to know, the desire to investigate and learn - drives them to explore, experiment and experience a wide range of interests. Issues engage readers with breakthroughs in the latest innovations in science and technology; educates with informative "how-to" stories on automotive, the home and digital technology; and motivates action with product reviews and comparison tests of the newest equipment and products. Popular Mechanics is also the #1 ranked men's monthly magazine when it comes to reaching an environmentally conscious audience.

About Cobra Electronics:

Cobra Electronics is a leading global designer and marketer of communication and navigation products, with a track record of delivering innovative and award-winning products. Building upon its leadership position in the GMRS/FRS two-way radio, radar detector and Citizens Band radio industries, Cobra identified new growth opportunities and has aggressively expanded into the marine market and has expanded its European operations. The Consumer Electronics Association, Forbes and Deloitte &Touche have all recognized Cobra for the company's innovation and industry leadership. To learn more about Cobra Electronics, please visit the Cobra site at www.cobra.com.  Follow Cobra on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CobraElectronic or become a fan at www.facebook.com/CobraElectronics.

About Phone Halo:

Phone Halo is a smartphone technology company, providing mobile professionals with applications to keep them mobile.  The award-winning Phone Halo technology is built into every Cobra PhoneTag, delivering protection for your smartphone, keys, and any item you do not want to leave behind. For more information on Phone Halo, please visit www.phonehalo.com, @phonehalo on Twitter, or www.facebook.com/phonehalo on Facebook.

SOURCE Cobra Electronics