Following the announcement of djuice's partnership with Volvo Ocean Race, Pocket IT and djuice today present their mapping solution for Mobile Internet developed for the sailing event. The service is found at wap.djuice.com, under the category sport.
This is the first time that updated race information and maps will be available on Mobile Internet phones during a worldwide event. The official Mobile Internet service for the Volvo Ocean Race is provided by the international mobile portal djuice.com, a subsidiary of Telenor. Djuice also sponsors "djuice dragons", one of the competing teams.
Pocket IT is djuice's partner enabling mobile users to access updated maps around-the-clock during the 9-month event. The service for ocean race enthusiasts is based on Pocket IT's proven technology for positioning systems and location based services, which has been adapted to incorporate GPS signals from the boats.
"This service is a very good example of what we will see more of in the future. Advanced technology bringing information about what's happening on a sailing boat thousands of kilometers away right to your pocket. This is mobile entertainment - mobiletainment!" says Jon Erik Haug, Managing Director of djuice.
The service provided by djuice is based on Pocket IT's core technology, found in location services already in use in 14 countries in Europe.
During the ocean race, users can get updated information every six hours. Pocket IT uses this dynamic information to display maps, including a map of each boat with its bearing and direction towards finish and local wind condition. The users also get access to maps of the entire fleet and the boats' position on the overall leg. Other details include latitude, longitude, speed, position, wind, waves, distance to finish and distance to leading boat.
"Forrester Research has listed djuice as one of the leading portals for mobile Internet. Partnering with djuice enables us to distribute our services to mobile users all over the world. We see the Volvo Ocean Race as an exciting opportunity because so many people follow the positions from day to day," says Petter Nyborg, CEO of Pocket-IT. He adds:
"This event will demonstrate the flexibility of our platform for location based services. Well defined maps of queried objects are displayed on all mobile terminals from the smallest WAP screens to larger PDAs and smart phones."
The service will be free of charge in an introductory period. Later, the price will be NOK 2 per log-in in Norway and 2 "djuice units" elsewhere - to be converted into local currencies.
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