Twig, a new brand and new device with build-in navigationsystem

Placed on 02-19-2006 filed under News

Benefon known from there device with build-in GPS receiver, mostly for the outdoor market and special services sector, has brought a new product to the mobile market, the Twig Discovery.

The new device that was shown to the world at 3GSM, is especially ment to serve the user with a navigationsolution in a compact standard mobile phone. The complete concept around this new device is made for one purpose only; the ideal mix between the functionalities of a navgationsystem and the normal usage of a mobile phone.

The build-in GPS receiver is a Sirf III receiver which is the current standard. Furthermore the NavTeq maps that are delivred with the device are the ones surrounding the position of the user. In the case of the Netherlands that would be Benelux and Germany, the complete of Germany. The maps used are accurate up to housenumbers, but it even goes deeper. This means that the maps are larger in MB's than the ones used by other brands. It makes the Discovery one of the most accurate navigationsystems around in the upcoming months.


The device has a 256.000 colour screen on which the user can navigate in 2D and 3D modus. The special Twig key is ment to find back the position from which you have started your navigation. It is quite handy in a city where you do not know the way back to your car or hotel. A simple press on the button and the device tells you how to get back to your starting point.

With the device several services are offered. These consist of three parts, namly:

- Twig Basic
- Twig Basic Plus
- Twig Advanced


All three have there on setup. To have a closer look on these packages pleas visit there new website: Twig Me



The choice for the packages is made by the consumer. Expected is that the device will hit the market around the second quarter of this year. Prices are around 500 Euro. The device has next to the GPS receiver several standaard features that you can check at the device itself.

For more specific information about the new product and the new brand from Benefon, please read the pressinformation below:

Benefon announces new brand "TWIG" and its first personal navigation handset
Salo, Finland 13.02.2006 - Benefon today announced its new consumer brand TWIG. Benefon a leader in GPS technology since 1988 and with a heritage in the business to business enterprise LBS and Tracking market, will enter the fast growing consumer navigation market with a new portfolio of personal navigation devices. Underpinning this revised strategy will be the new consumer brand TWIG.
TWIG comes to market with the flawless promise of magic, as trackers and hunters marked their path with twigs, divining rods located water and a sorcerer's magic wand was traditionally a twig, so to navigate, locate and communicate you can use TWIG. TWIG is simple, memorable, distinctive, inoffensive and also global. TWIG brand naturally links people to people and people to places.

Along with the new brand comes a new corporate identity and Benefon imagery. The brand colours: green, limegreen and silver represent the seamless merger of nature and technology.

Jonathan Bate Benefon's CEO, goes further: "everyone understands the importance of a compelling brand, along with design these are two key factors to a products consumer acceptance and success. This is a very exciting time for Benefon as it enters the consumer navigation market"


Benefon launches the TWIG 'Discovery', the new personal navigation device
Salo, Finland 13.02.2006 - Benefon today launched the first of it's new personal navigation devices. The first truly personal navigation device that can be taken anywhere and offer best in class navigation. Slim, small and light the TWIG Discovery is the only handset to combine world beating precision GPS navigation and GSM telephony. All mapping is on-board and with the ability to use off board services when required, no need for additional expensive GPS modules. One device ready to go out of the box. TWIG Discovery empowers everyone to enjoy navigation anywhere. No longer is full professional satellite navigation limited to in-car users. Brilliant TFT display with 256k colors for vivid 2D and 3D navigation, supported by voice prompted turn by turn instructions.

Unique to Discovery is the TWIG Key: Easy to use, 'One-Click' and TWIG starts navigating! TWIG remembers your location! TWIG will always take you home!

"Discovery is the first fully featured personal navigation device to be available to the consumer" says Jonathan Bate, Benefon's CEO, "Unique ease of use, accurate GPS tracking and featured mobile communication make the Discovery unbeatable. No longer do consumers have to leave clunky navigation devices in the car or even carry two devices"

Responsive to what mobile users demand today, TWIG Navigation is bound to become the most user friendly navigation platform thanks to its wide range of services easily accessible by GPRS communications. TWIG users will soon have access to further services. At launch Discovery will offer TWIG Finder an easy way to locate and navigate to any other Discovery user. Simply request their location and follow the navigate instructions to find them.

Future services will include TWIG Zone, the ability to geo-fence people or assets and TWIG Tracker the ability to track people and assets.

TWIG Discovery encompasses the best of mobile technology and connectivity, including Bluetooth and PC synchronisation.