AutoNavi Launches Amap, New version of Mobile Map Application for Android Operating System
AutoNavi Launches New Enhanced Mobile Map Application, “Amap,” on Android Operating System
AutoNavi Holdings Limited (“AutoNavi” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:AMAP – News), a leading provider of digital map content and navigation and location-based solutions in China, today announced the launch of a new version of its mobile map application (“app”) for the Android operating system. The product, branded “Amap,” is an enhanced version of AutoNavi’s MiniMap app and boasts location-based services that integrate the Company’s extensive, in-depth points-of-interest (“POI”) database with complementary dynamic content from other leading service providers. AutoNavi’s mobile map application currently stands at more than 15 million users, with over 1.5 million new users per month. The Amap app is being offered to Android phone users free of charge.
Partnering with industry-leading service providers such as Ctrip.com, China’s leading travel service enterprise, Velo.com, a leading coupon service platform in China, and Damai.cn, a leading online ticket platform in China, the Amap app integrates up-to-date, dynamic commercial information with POIs to offer users highly targeted location-relevant information and content. This includes information on hotel reservations, coupons, event ticketing, retail promotions, and more. The Amap app is also integrated with several popular social networking services (“SNS”), including micro-blogs hosted by Sina, Sohu and NetEase, allowing app users to comment on and share in-depth POIs and routing information through their micro-blog accounts. Additionally, users can instantly obtain the latest and richest dynamic merchant information without having to update the application.
AutoNavi’s chief executive officer, Mr. Congwu Cheng, commented, “Our new Amap app brings increased functionalities and broader service offerings to our users. Providing an all-in-one shopping solution, the new app allows users to search for location-based promotions offered by businesses, receive routing and navigation information to those destinations and then allows them to share that information with friends and family over SNS. The app’s innovative features and enhanced capabilities will not only attract more end users but will also create a higher level of stickiness within our existing user base.”
Mr. Cheng continued, “Furthermore, the Amap app’s ability to seamlessly connect users with businesses and online communities will further expand our B2C business and marks a strategic step in the development of AutoNavi’s location-based media platform. Going forward, we plan to broaden the Amap app’s reach on other mobile operating systems and further establish partnerships with well-known service providers in order to continue to deliver a comprehensive and unique location-based user experience.”
Together with the launch of the free Amap app, the Company has also made its premium mobile navigation application for the Android operating system. It is available for download at www.amap.com and other third party websites including Taobao and app stores from Samsung, Motorola and HTC. It is offered to users at a price of RMB 58. The premium mobile navigation application provides additional features such as advanced, voice-guided navigation, real-time traffic information as well as the option to only download map data for specified, desired cities, thus reducing the size of the app and enhancing its operating performance. In addition, the Company’s premium mobile navigation application is also offered to users free of charge for a one-month trial period, after which users can either purchase it or discontinue their use of the app.
About AutoNavi Holdings Limited
AutoNavi Holdings Limited (Nasdaq:AMAP – News) is a leading provider of digital map content and navigation and location-based solutions in China. At the core of its business is a comprehensive nationwide digital map database that covers approximately 3.1 million kilometers of roadway and over 13 million points of interest across China. Through its digital map database and proprietary technology platform, AutoNavi provides comprehensive, integrated navigation and location-based solutions optimized for the Chinese market and users, including automotive navigation solutions, public sector and enterprise applications, wireless location-based solutions and Internet location-based solutions. For more information on AutoNavi, please visit http://www.autonavi.com.
