NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HopStop, the popular pedestrian navigation and transit routing service, has been selected by TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology to provide public transportation directions for TCS’ award-winning navigation services. The partnership [...]]]> Best-of-Breed Alliance Yields Comprehensive Multi-Modal Navigation Solution
CTIA WIRELESS 2012

NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–HopStop, the popular pedestrian navigation and transit routing service, has been selected by TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS), a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology to provide public transportation directions for TCS’ award-winning navigation services. The partnership enables TCS to deliver one of the most comprehensive multi-modal solutions in the mapping industry.

In today’s mobile ecosystem, wireless operators and OEMs are demanding highly relevant localized content, rather than simply generic subject matter. At the CTIA conference in New Orleans, TCS will showcase the HopStop integration using its NAVBuilder® App2App feature, which enables seamless integration of third-party content. Conference attendees can preview the service at the TCS booth (#4423) beginning today.

The HopStop service extends TCS’ navigation and search functionalities – giving TCS customers and business partners a location-based ecosystem that connects existing applications and services without the need to customize their devices. Wireless service providers can utilize this TCS point-of-interest solution to enrich their users’ experience. For example, an enterprise-focused device OEM can integrate unique content for its business users, or a luxury automotive OEM can offer content best suited for its clientele.

TCS, well known for developing applications for navigation, hyper-local search, workforce tracking and family location, partnered with HopStop to further extend its position as the leading provider of white-label navigation applications. Under the terms of the agreement, TCS will embed HopStop’s service for both existing and new customers. This relationship covers all HopStop markets, which includes more than 200 cities worldwide.

“Our wireless operator customers and their end users demand a mobile navigation experience that extends beyond just vehicular navigation to include modes of pedestrian navigation, including mass transit,” noted Kevin Tsurutome, vice president of TCS’ Commercial Software Group. “In reviewing potential partners, we quickly came to realize no other company could provide the technology, ease of integration, reach and scale, critical mass and dependability that HopStop could.”

Since launching in 2006, HopStop has established an important foothold in the burgeoning location-based services (LBS) market, deploying its powerful transit technology in the largest cities throughout the U.S., Canada, Europe and Russia. The company has distinguished itself as a perennial innovator in the LBS market with its popular online and mobile Web sites, and its industry-leading mobile applications – which are used by millions of people each month and are available on a wide range of platforms. As a result, HopStop has emerged as a “must-buy” media property for local and large advertisers alike, as well as ad agencies looking to reach hyper-local, geo-targeted audiences at scale.

“We’ve invested heavily in our platform with the commitment of delivering valuable pedestrian navigation and geo ad targeting solutions to end users, advertisers and key strategic partners,” noted Joe Meyer, HopStop’s chief executive. “By adding HopStop’s popular transit-routing service to TCS’ highly distributed applications, TCS extends its leadership position as a top global provider of cutting-edge mobile navigation and search functionality.”

TCS expects to complete the addition of HopStop functionality into its navigation applications by the end of 2012.

About TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.

TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (TCS) (NASDAQ: TSYS) is a world leader in highly reliable and secure mobile communication technology. TCS infrastructure forms the foundation for market leading solutions in E9-1-1, text messaging, commercial location and deployable wireless communications. TCS is at the forefront of new mobile cloud computing services, providing wireless applications for navigation, hyper-local search, asset tracking, social applications and telematics. Millions of consumers around the world use TCS wireless apps as a fundamental part of their daily lives. Government agencies utilize TCS’ cyber security expertise, professional services, and highly secure deployable satellite solutions for mission-critical communications. Headquartered in Annapolis, MD, TCS maintains technical, service and sales offices around the world. To learn more about emerging and innovative wireless technologies, visit www.telecomsys.com.

About HopStop

HopStop (www.hopstop.com), a leading location-based navigation service, provides door-to-door walking, biking, transit, taxi and hourly car rental directions (and other popular transit services) to city residents and tourists alike. The company has built the first national network to facilitate and encourage intra-city as well as city-to-city travel by aggregating hundreds of transit systems into one streamlined navigational user experience. The company’s environmentally-friendly service is currently available in 78 major metropolitan markets throughout five countries including the U.S., Canada, England, France and Russia. HopStop also offers transit schedules, transit maps, transit advisories, as well as the locations of nearby subway stations and bus stops via web (www.HopStop.com) and mobile (www.hopstop.com/mobile) services, including industry-leading iPad (www.HopStop.com/iPad), iPhone (www.HopStop.com/iPhone), Android (www.HopStop.com/Android), Windows (www.HopStop.com/WindowsPhone) and Blackberry (www.HopStop.com/BlackBerry) applications, as well as a popular mobile site (m.hopstop.com). HopStop is based in New York City, and is financed by private investors.

Except for the historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements as defined within Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and are based upon TCS’ current expectations and assumptions that if incorrect would cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Risks include those detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC reports, including the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011 and on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50270290&lang=en

With our iPad app you can:
• Find nearby subway and bus stops with Nearby Stations search
• Estimate travel time and cost for a taxi
• View high quality transit maps for NYC, LIRR, Metro North [...]]]> HopStop is happy to announce the release of our iPad app and our Windows app!

With our iPad app you can:
• Find nearby subway and bus stops with Nearby Stations search
• Estimate travel time and cost for a taxi
• View high quality transit maps for NYC, LIRR, Metro North and San Francisco
• Set your travel preferences – bus, subway, walking, taxi, include/exclude regional rail or vehicles operated by private companies
• Save recent searches in MyTrips
• Stay updated with NYC transit advisories
• Get biking directions in NYC, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco
• Find out how many calories you burn on each route and how many carbon emissions you save compared to driving
• See wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly routes
• Access previously used addresses as well as addresses from your contact list
• Easily share directions via Email, Messages, Facebook and Twitter
Download our free iPad app here.

With our Windows app you can:
• Get directions from your current location using GPS functionality
• Access addresses from your contact list
• Map a location and see nearby subway and bus stops
• Estimate travel time and cost for a taxi and call taxi companies with a tap
• Set your travel preferences – bus, subway, walking, taxi, include/exclude regional rail or vehicles operated by private companies
• Save recent searches and favorite trips in MyTrips
• Get biking directions in NYC, Washington DC, Chicago, and San Francisco
• Find out how many calories you burn on each route and how many carbon emissions you save compared to driving
• See wheelchair accessible and stroller friendly routes
Download our free Windows app here.

Thanks so much for your patience, and we can’t wait to hear what you think of the new apps!

We’ve added 6 more cities to HopStop:

What other cities would you like to see on HopStop? Let us know in the comments!

That’s why we’ve partnered with Fit Pregnancy to offer new stroller friendly and wheelchair accessible routes on HopStop! Now you can search [...]]]> Navigating your city’s public transit system can be difficult enough as it is, but when you’re looking for wheelchair accessible or stroller friendly routes it can seem almost impossible.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Fit Pregnancy to offer new stroller friendly and wheelchair accessible routes on HopStop! Now you can search for stroller friendly and wheelchair accessible directions in New York City and the tri-state area. We’ll determine accessible routes by searching for accessible transit vehicles (like buses), and subway stations with accessible entrances and exits.

From our website, you can search specifically for accessible routes by checking the Look for Wheelchair Accessible / Stroller Friendly Routes box under the transportation modes.

If your route is accessible you’ll see the wheelchair and stroller icon in your directions:

On our iPhone, Android, and BlackBerry app (Windows phone app coming soon!), if your route is accessible you’ll see the wheelchair and stroller icon in your directions summary.

We’re hoping this new feature will help more people avoid this:

We’d like to thank Big City Moms for hosting The Biggest Baby Shower Ever, where we first announced this new feature!

Will you be using our new stroller friendly and wheelchair accessible routes? Let us know in the comments!

Name: Trisha Ordonez

Bio: I’m a Christian photographer making an honest living out of (and enjoying!) helping others document memories that would otherwise pass. I appreciate anything that involves attention to [...]]]> Trisha is our newest Cityscapes Photographer and her picture just made our Seattle homepage even prettier.

Name: Trisha Ordonez

Bio: I’m a Christian photographer making an honest living out of (and enjoying!) helping others document memories that would otherwise pass. I appreciate anything that involves attention to detail and genuine craftsmanship. Check out some of my work at www.PixelHousePhotography.com.

Location: Mukilteo, Washington

Favorite thing about HopStop: The City Guide!!

Favorite city destinations: I’m originally from California, so obviously my favorite destination is where my heart is, Los Angeles! If you’re in the area, check out Melrose Ave., Signal Hill, The Pike, Santa Monica Pier and 3rd Street Promenade… and don’t forget your camera!! You’ll thank me later.

Describe your photos: I aim to display in my photos a cross between craftsmanship and a genuine love for photography. If it’s in God’s will, I will humbly attempt to achieve this day in and day out til my days are out!!

Got any great city or transit shots? Submit yours and you could be featured as one of our Cityscapes Photographers!

Our BlackBerry app has the same functionality as our iPhone and Android apps:

Here’s [...]]]> Here at HopStop we’re always working on giving you the best, easiest directions to get you from point A to point B. We already take MTA’s scheduled service changes into consideration but we all know delays can happen at any moment, so now we’re also including real-time service statuses directly in your directions.

Here’s what it looks like if there are service changes that might affect your route:

To see the full service advisory, click View info.

Since the service advisories are grouped by line (ie. 4/5/6) and may not affect your route, we don’t re-route automatically. We suggest you check the full service advisory to make sure the service change affects your route before hitting re-route.

Stay tuned for even more improvements to your HopStop directions!

Name: Diego
Bio: I’m a seventeen year old freshman studying photography at FIT. I was born and raised [...]]]> We stumbled upon Diego’s picture on Flickr and loved it, so we just had to ask him if we could showcase it on our New York City homepage. Luckily, he agreed!

Name: Diego
Bio: I’m a seventeen year old freshman studying photography at FIT. I was born and raised in Peru, then moved to NYC at the age of twelve. Feel free to contact me through my flickr account: www.flickr.com/nRiiqe and/or my email: nriiqe@aol.com.
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Favorite thing about HopStop: I like the variety of things found on the website, from food to events. All just one click away.
Favorite places in New York: Prospect Park, Park Slope, The Village

Got any great transit shots? Submit yours and you could be featured as one of our Cityscapes Photographers!

If you’re a New York-based business owner or event planner you can sign up for a free trial (valued at $250) and target your ads down to a specific neighborhood.

Your free ad is quick and [...]]]> We’re launching a new ad program for small business owners and event planners!

If you’re a New York-based business owner or event planner you can sign up for a free trial (valued at $250) and target your ads down to a specific neighborhood.

Your free ad is quick and easy to build and will be displayed when people search for directions in your neighborhood.

When you sign up and create your ad we’ll provide you with a Free Direction Link to help guide people to your business or event. In order to qualify for this free ad trial, you just have to add this Free Direction Link to the Contact Us or Directions section of your website. Find out more and sign up for a free ad trial.