MapQuest Navigator
MapQuest has unwrapped details surrounding a new proudct, MapQuest Navigator. This product will provide maps and driving directions on some mobile phones with support Java, BREW, Windows Mobile, and Symbian. Voice prompting is also available as part of the service.
MapQuest Navigator can also provide pedestrian routes where the best route will ignore things like making sure you are going the correct way on one way streets and it won’t route you over interstates.
MapQuest Navigator will not break down if you make or receive a phone call, the navigation system will still continue to work. Millions of POIs are also available from the MapQuest database. Other features available similar to traditional GPS navigation systems are the ability to calculate routes avoiding highways, automatic rerouting and zooming/panning of maps. You can also use MapQuest Navigator to send details about specific POIs to other friends via text message.
Pricing for the device will be up to each individual carrier, however MapQuest officials say they hope MapQuest Navigator will cost about $4 per month.
“A big part of our future is mobile … We have users of mapquest.com that already trust us. This is just a better way for us to guide our users to their destinations,” said Alan Beiagi, MapQuest’s general manager of wireless.
Which Cell phone carriers will eventually offer this service? Any idea?
That is a good question. I’m not positive yet which carriers will offer the service. The service will be offered on Java, BREW, Windows mobile and Symbian phones.
MapQuest’s other current GPS feature, MapQuest Find Me, is only available on certain Sprint-Nextel phones which are Java equipped. However they have partnered with many other carriers (most of the major carriers in North America) for the MapQuest Mobile product.
That’s a great feature. Is it available yet?
I recently purchased this incredible product (Mapquest navigator) and I am thoroughly impressed for the price! I am using it on my BlackBerry Pearl and it has surpassed all of my expectations!
I bought this product for my curve and for the most part I like it. It’s great that not only can it navigate me to a place of business, but I can also call the phone number with only a few keypresses. I like it’s ability to redirect quickly as it downloads the whole route at one shot, but still checks the traffic conditions frequently.
There are a couple of things I would like to see in future updates however; like the ability to utilize my voice dialing feature on my headset while navigating and to have it turn off the screen until such time as you are approaching a turn would also be a plus. I would definitely recommend this over the telnav as it’s a lot cheaper if you go with the yearly plan and it seems to be a bit more dependable, but time will tell