TeleNav Updates GPS Nav Software for AT&T BlackBerrys, Releases Free "OnMyWay" App
GPS-navigation provider TeleNav has updated its nav-software for BlackBerry users and released a brand new app that helps travelers alert parties at their destinations when they can be expected to arrive. Unfortunately, both apps are initially available only to AT&T customers.
CIO
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TeleNav, a leading GPS-based navigation provider with more than 13 million subscribers globally, today announced an updated version of its mobile GPS nav-software for select AT&T BlackBerry devices. In addition, TeleNav also released a free, location-based BlackBerry app, called "OnMyWay," that helps travelers keep colleagues and/or friends at specific destinations updated on their travel-status.
TeleNav Navigator v6.0, available initially only on AT&T, features a variety of new features and enhancements, the most notable of which is the addition of "on-board" maps, meaning users no longer have to be within wireless coverage throughout their travels to access the app's full functionality. In the past, TeleNav's navigation software employed "off-board" maps, or maps downloaded from the Internet as users' needed them.
AT&T Navigator 6.0 offers a "hybrid" of both on-board and off-board maps, according to TeleNav.
"Customers will be able to use navigation whether or not they are in or out of wireless coverage," said Mary Beth Lowell, TeleNav's senior PR manager. "Many consumers have decided to opt for an on-board service because they are concerned that they will not be able to use off-board while they are out of wireless coverage. Our new version alleviates those concerns while also providing customers with the benefits of off-board."
One such benefit of off-board service is the fact that maps are updated more often, since apps with off-board maps communicate with map-providers frequently during travel. Now TeleNav Navigator users will have access to the best of both worlds, according to the company.
Additional enhancements within TeleNav Navigator 6.0 include:
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"Single-click" voice recognition via BlackBerry convenience key that understands common phrases like "Drive Home" or "Drive to
- Lane assists to help ensure users are in the proper lanes when appropriate
- Speed limit warnings
- Traffic camera information, where available
- Simplified phone dialing during navigation
- Shortcut option (in "Drive To" menu) to drive home
- Option to "End Trip" at the end of a route
- After using "search along the route," you have the option of "resume trip"
- Ability to see GPS status, battery strength, wireless signal and local time within the app
Unfortunately, the new version of TeleNav Navigator is available initially only to AT&T BlackBerry users, as AT&T Navigator, and only on specific Research In Motion (RIM) (RIM) smartphones: the BlackBerry Curve 8900 and Bold 9000. Lowell says additional TeleNav 6.0 carrier- and BlackBerry-device-support are on the way, but the company wouldn't provide specifics.
I've been using TeleNav 6.0 on my T-Mobile BlackBerry Bold 9700 for a couple of weeks now, and though I've noticed a few minor bugs with this device/carrier combo, the fact that it worked without any significant issues for me could bode well for T-Mobile- and/or BlackBerry-9700-support in the near-future.
