BERLIN, GERMANY -- (Marketwire) -- 12/14/12 --

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skobbler has today announced that its exciting next generation hybrid (online and offline) map app, ForeverMap 2, will be available for Amazon's Kindle Fire from Monday 17th December 2012. ForeverMap 2 allows users to experience a map solution like nothing seen on the popular tablet to date. With no support for Google Maps and no comparable alternatives available on the Kindle Fire, skobbler plans to quickly establish itself as the No.1 map app, offering a range of features that already rival the industry leaders on other platforms in terms of accuracy, flexibility and detail.

ForeverMap 2 aims to corner the market on the Kindle Fire with a unique combination of hybrid (online and offline) maps that provide users with unlimited use of worldwide online maps as standard and optional downloadable maps of cities, countries, continents and even the world for offline use, making it an ideal option for travelers and those who want to avoid hefty charges and inconsistent data connections while roaming. With enhanced map compression ensuring that there's plenty of room left for photos, videos, apps and other data and continuous free map and software updates, there's no reason for Kindle Fire users not to get on board, and with the Barnes and Noble app store also announcing availability of ForeverMap 2 for the Nook series of tablets, skobbler is expanding its coverage even further!

"Following our recent launch for Android, we're pleased to offer ForeverMap 2 to Kindle Fire users, who can now also benefit from a powerful and versatile hybrid map solution," says skobbler co-founder, Marcus Thielking. "The Kindle Fire has been wildly popular but with no Google Maps and no pre-installed map like most other mobile devices, this is a real opportunity to establish ourselves as the leading brand on this platform, and as a provider of the best map app for its users."

ForeverMap 2 for Kindle Fire - Key Highlights

--  Hybrid functionality offers a worldwide online map with optional map
    upgrades for offline use 
    
--  skobbler makes the crowd-sourced OpenStreetMap shine like never before
    with stunning map visuals 
    
--  skobbler's advanced NGx technology gives users a truly paperback-like,
    seamless map experience on the Kindle Fire 
    
--  FREE to download, with in-app purchases available for offline maps 
    
--  Address search, location finder, route calculation and POIs fully
    available online and optionally offline 
    
--  Continuous free software and map updates 
    

ForeverMap 2 uses OpenStreetMap, a worldwide open-source project that has created the most dynamic map on the planet and one that is showcased through skobbler's wildly popular GPS Navigation 2 software. ForeverMap 2 gives users a true choice over how they use maps, whether online or offline with full countries, continents, states and cities available to purchase as installable map upgrades, and all the time offers unprecedented detail and accuracy thanks to an ever-growing worldwide contributor base that's closing in on one million users already.

ForeverMap 2 also takes map software way past sole street-level focus thanks to OpenStreetMap's outdoor data richness, allowing cyclists, hikers and pedestrians to find the most effective route to their destination. Users can bookmark places of interest to save key locations to the current map, access Wikipedia-based descriptions for sites of interest, and with regular, free map updates offers an amazing degree of detail and accuracy.

Alongside these benefits, ForeverMap 2 brings all of the functionality you'd expect from a high-end map solution, including address search, location finder, route calculation and an extensive POI database for both online and offline use through optional map downloads. Locations can be shared with friends and the "paperback-like" map experience offers cutting-edge map visuals alongside zoom, pan and turn controls, street names and a compass that can be set to orient itself in the direction of travel.

Businesses and developers can also benefit from the technology fueling ForeverMap 2 (and GPS Navigation 2) through skobbler's GeOS map access technology for web and mobile and NGx map engine for mobile. GeOS allows developers to implement OpenStreetMap into their services, providing them with a more versatile, independent alternative to Google Maps and other platforms while enabling features such as zooming, colouring and panning and dramatically reducing the complexity of working with raw map data. While still in beta stage, GeOS has already been offered to a select few companies on request and skobbler aims to roll out the full version in the near future.

"We're already working closely with a number of large corporations to help them integrate OpenStreetMap into their products and services via GeOS," says Thielking. "Having achieved status of bestselling navigation app for years-on-end in Germany and the UK and #1 position in over 20 countries with GPS Navigation 2, we've proved that our innovative technology solution is ready and able to meet the demands of today's consumers and service providers. We believe that we're well-placed to offer similar benefits to businesses that are looking for an alternative to Google Maps and other rivals."

ForeverMap 2 is available to download now for FREE for the Kindle Fire and Kindle Fire HD, with full use of online worldwide maps included as standard. Offline maps are available as in-app purchases, priced at 69p for Cities, GBP 1.99 for countries, GBP 3.99 for continents and just GBP 7.99 for a global map.

ForeverMap 2 is also now available for the NOOK Color(TM), NOOK Tablet(TM) and NOOK HD / HD+(TM) by Barnes & Noble.

About skobbler

Founded in 2008, Berlin-based skobbler (www.skobbler.com) is one of the premier players in mobile location-aware services. With over 3 million customers on iOS alone, skobbler has regularly topped overall and category app charts in numerous countries, leading the way in the development of location technology and end consumer products based on the OpenStreetMap. This experience also facilitates skobbler's development projects for third parties. Based on the skobbler GeOS map access technology, companies can base their location-aware web or mobile services on the OpenStreetMap.

Press contacts

For further information or to arrange an interview with Marcus Thielking, Co-founder of skobbler, please contact:

Sarah Chard                                                                 
The PR Room                                                                 
Tel: +44 (0)845 094 2902                                                    
sarah.chard@theprroom.co.uk                                                 

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