Wireless telephone network provider Sprint is now making its TeleNav GPS Navigator available on the nationwide Sprint PCS Network, to extend Java-enabled global positioning services to Sprint customers.
Danny Bowman, vp-product development & management for Sprint, said TeleNav GPS Navigator is similar to in-car GPS navigation systems sold with luxury vehicles as it can provide audible turn-by-turn directions, displays maps and provides graphical driving cues – except that these services are provided over mobile phone.
Unlike in-vehicle systems, Bowman said this application is portable, and updates to road information are automatic, saving time and expense. The TeleNav Java enabled GPS Navigator service is available on Sprint’s Sanyo 5600, 7400 and LG 535 mobile handsets as well as all GPS and Java-enabled handsets currently in the Nextel portfolio, including the new BlackBerry 7520 from Nextel.
To use TeleNav GPS navigator, Bowman explained, a customer specifies a destination via an interactive voice response (IVR) system or by keying in the address on the handset or device. Once the destination is specified, a route is calculated and TeleNav GPS Navigator provides real-time, audible and graphical turn-by-turn directions over the mobile device, he said.
“The availability of TeleNav on both the Sprint and Nextel networks shows that we continue to stand by our mission of providing choice and flexibility to all of our customers,” said Bowman. “Sprint’s suite of Java enabled location solutions and data offerings for both the consumer and business marketplace will continue to be a focus and priority for the company moving forward.”
