SpatialNews.com Press Release
``Extra'' Launches Extra Mile Interactive TV Crew With Real Time
Tracking Powered by TelEvoke; TelEvoke System Used to Track Location of Extra Mile Van On
``Extra'' Web site
BURBANK, Calif., Sept. 11, 2000--"Extra" today
launched Extra Mile, television's first Interactive News Crew, powered with the TelEvoke
tracking system. On the Extra Mile segment, viewers direct "Extra" weekend anchor, Steve
Santagati, to his next destination on an on-going cross-country adventure. With TelEvoke's
service, viewers are able to track the current location of the Extra Mile crew on the "Extra"
Web site at www.extratv.com/extramile/cmp/. A simple click of "Track the Crew" takes
viewers to the "X marks the spot" location of the Extra Mile crew anywhere within the
continental United States. Moreover, the first viewer to reach the location where "Extra" is
taping a segment will have a chance to become an instant member of the Extra Mile TV crew.
From skydiving to mountain climbing to bungee jumping to hanging out with a rock band on
the road, Extra Mile takes its cameras, TelEvoke's tracking system, and viewers on the trip of
a lifetime.
According to Lisa Gregorisch, Senior Executive Producer at "Extra," "We are delighted to
work with the TelEvoke team. They were able to get tracking of our Extra Mile van up and
running in a matter of days." Gregorisch adds, "This real time tracking capability, with an easy Web pop-up, allows our viewers
to get involved in a whole new way with our program."
Rick Bentley, CEO at TelEvoke, is equally excited about the relationship. "`Extra' provides us with the opportunity to show
millions of viewers how our technology connects people to things that are important to them." Bentley adds, "Today, people
can track the Extra Mile van and even their own cars. In the near future, they will be able to track their pets, kids, and missing
luggage."
How it works
The Extra Mile van is equipped with a TelEvoke GPS satellite receiver that continually tracks the location of the van and
transmits that information back, using Aeris.net's MicroBurst (R) cellular network, to the TelEvoke network operations center.
The location information is converted into an address, and a map location is then displayed on the "Extra" Web site as "X
marks the spot." Viewers can zoom in and out to identify the city, or even the block, where the "Extra" van is located. Global
Positioning Satellite (GPS) receivers provide location and address accuracy within 60 feet of actual location, so viewers can
readily find and follow the van as it travels to it next destination. The TelEvoke network operations center can support
thousands of viewer location hits at any one time, so viewers from around the country can stay up to date on the Extra Mile
crew location.
About Extra TV
"Extra" originates in Los Angeles and has a fully staffed bureau in New York, as well as correspondents and producers
around the globe. The show offers a half-hour edition every weekday and an original hour-long weekend installment, making it
the only national magazine show that presents original episodes 52 weeks a year. Seen in more than 90 percent of the country,
"Extra" airs on major market affiliate stations, including a number of key NBC Television Owned & Operated Stations. "Extra,"
a Time Telepictures Television production, is distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution.
About TelEvoke
TelEvoke, Inc. is an Internet-based Application Service Provider that uses automated Web and telephone services for
connecting people to things(TM). TelEvoke provides notification, control, and tracking services for mobile and fixed assets.
For example, a customer with a TelEvoke-enabled vehicle can be notified when his car alarm is triggered, unlock his car doors
simply by calling a telephone number, and track the location of his automobile over the phone or on the Web. TelEvoke,
founded in 1998, is a privately held company headquartered in San Francisco, California. For more information on TelEvoke,
visit www.televoke.com or send an email to info@televoke.com.
About Aeris.net
Aeris.net, headquartered in San Jose, California, develops and implements technologies that enable the wireless connectivity
and control of remote intelligent devices. Aeris.net leverages the ubiquity of existing cellular networks, the tremendous power of
the Internet, and the manufacturing might of the cellular handset industry to provide a cost-effective, wireless data link to an
expanding host of fixed and mobile telemetry applications. MicroBurst technology in over 97 percent of cellular service areas in
the United States and 100 percent of Canada and Mexico. For more information on Aeris.net, call 408/557-1900 or visit the
Aeris.net Web site at www.aeris.net.
CONTACT:
TelEvoke, Inc.
John Caner, 415/908-4432
john.caner@televoke.com
or
Warner Brothers
Amy Prenner, 818/972-0589
amy.prenner@warnerbros.com
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