Tellme Delivers Voice-Driven Microsoft Live Search Results From Mobile Phones to Dash Express GPS Devices

Drivers can now find local businesses by simply saying the name or category, with results sent wirelessly to the Dash Express GPS device from Dash Navigation

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Sept. 10 - Tellme, a Microsoft(R) subsidiary and pioneer in voice services, today announced that voice-activated local business search results from Microsoft Live Search can now be delivered directly to the Dash Express(TM) GPS device from Dash Navigation Inc., allowing drivers to find their destinations and get directions without typing in an address. This free feature is available nationwide to all Dash users.

Dash Express owners can dial 1-800-CALL-411 (1-800-225-5411) or 1-800-555-TELL (1-800-555-8355) and search for businesses by name or category, anywhere in the United States, using only their voices. Once they've selected a business, the name and street address are sent wirelessly to the Dash Express device -- often arriving within a few seconds -- and the Dash Express will then guide drivers to their destinations by showing and speaking step-by- step directions.

There is nothing to configure for Dash Express owners, beyond registering their mobile phone numbers with Dash Navigation at http://my.dash.net/. Search results are sent through the Internet from Tellme's servers to Dash Navigation's servers, and Dash Navigation then sends the data through a wireless network to the individual Dash Express device.

Dash Express owners can now resolve everyday navigation issues -- such as finding a nearby florist on their way home from work, or getting directions to a coffee shop where they're meeting a friend -- without having to write down an address and then manually enter that address into a GPS device. Also, Dash Express owners can search for a business before getting in the car by dialing 1-800-CALL-411 (1-800-225-5411) or 1-800-555-TELL (1-800-555-8355) from a wired or wireless phone and the result will be available in the device's "Send2Car(TM)" destination list when they start driving.

"Tellme's vision is, 'Say what you want and get it, on any device.' Until now, our focus has been on delivering results on the phone. This support for Dash is our first move to connect with devices beyond the phone, and our first move into the car -- a natural fit for the Tellme service," said Dariusz Paczuski, Senior Director of Tellme Consumer Services. "Dash Navigation made this step possible by creating the world's first GPS device with a wireless Internet connection, and we're delighted to join with them in offering a valuable new feature to Dash Express owners."

"Tellme is introducing a ground-breaking, powerful new way for drivers to interact with their Dash Express GPS devices in a 65-mph automobile environment," said Robert Currie, President and Chief Operating Officer of Dash Navigation. "Tellme's announcement represents a significant extension of our connected navigation platform into the voice arena, seamlessly incorporating the delivery of wireless information to the car via phone entry. Through Dash's open platform, we will continue to partner with industry leaders like Tellme to unleash innovative and useful new features for our community."

The Dash Express is the first GPS device designed from the ground up as a "connected" navigation experience. Unlike previous GPS devices, Dash Express isn't focused on giving users a single route from A to B, but instead delivers instant access to the most relevant information -- including real-time traffic updates -- about everything in between and the best way to get there. The Dash Express device is available now for $299.99, with three months of wireless service. Service then costs $9.99 to $12.99 per month.

Tellme's free voice-driven information service at 1-800-555-TELL (1-800-555-8355) is available from any phone -- wired or wireless -- in the United States.