NEW YORK-Cue Corp. entered into a strategic alliance to provide its regional and nationwide FM subcarrier messaging service to the new Clarion Corp. of America AutoPC, a platform using Microsoft Corp.’s Windows CE software.
The new wireless service uses Cue’s AutoFM control module, a low-cost FM subcarrier data connection to car radios that employs a standard RS232 interface. Customers also can use the Cue FMCard for data connection through Clarion’s AutoPC CompactFlash slot. Designed by Nokia Mobile Phones, these receivers provide personal messaging, e-mail and voice mail and emergency alerts. They also support 15 different information services that can be activated over the air.
“With the real-time information supplied by Cue and received with the optional AutoFM receiver, Clarion AutoPC users will be able to really `drive smart,’ as our advertising campaign states,” said Terrence Mullin, vice president of marketing and business development for Clarion Corp., Gardena, Calif.
“Through the use of the Clarion AutoPC speech synthesis technology, the unit will literally `read the alerts’ aloud to the driver, allowing the driver to keep his eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.”
The AutoFM receiver also permits vehicle owners to activate certain functions at a distance from their cars, including unlocking the doors, turning on the headlights, activating the horn and disabling the automobile.
Doing business under the Cue Paging name, Cue Corp., Irvine, Calif., provides nationwide and regional messaging throughout North America over the FM subcarrier facilities of more than 600 radio stations. It has a seamless footprint covering approximately 2 million square miles and a subscriber base of about 180,000. Distributors of Cue paging include AT&T Wireless Services Inc., Ameritech Corp. and MobileMedia Corp.
