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TeleNav GPS Navigator on the T-Mobile G1

(Credit: TeleNav)

On Thursday, TeleNav announced that starting February 24, it will make its location-based service, TeleNav GPS Navigator, available to T-Mobile G1 owners, bringing real-time turn-by-turn navigation to the Google Android smartphone.

In addition to turn-by-turn driving directions, TeleNav GPS Navigator offers traffic alerts with one-click rerouting, business searches (with more than 10 million listings), gas prices, weather updates, and restaurant reviews.

Speech recognition is also supported, meaning that you'll be able to press a button on the G1, dictate an address or business, and TeleNav will then route to the destination. Alternatively, you can preplan trips through TeleNav's Web site and send it to your phone.

TeleNav is no stranger to the business, providing its navigation services to a number of GPS-enabled smartphones and carriers, including Sprint and AT&T. Developing an application for Android and G1 owners was an important step for the company, according to TeleNav co-founder and Senior Director of Marketing Sal Dhanani.

The service will initially be available only through TeleNav but will then make its way to Android Market later this year. G1 users can go to TeleNav's Web site to sign up for a 30-day free trial of the service; afterward, it will cost $9.99 per month for unlimited use.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

On Tuesday, location-based service provider TeleNav released new features for its connected portable-navigation device, the TeleNav Shotgun. The added functionalities include a mileage tracker and the capability to check ratings and reviews for points of interest (POI), such as restaurants, hotels, and so forth.

The Mileage Capture tool was designed with business users in mind so that they can track their miles and record them for any clients or jobs. You can capture your mileage on a specific route or from any user-specified start and end point. Once you return to your office or home, you can then connect the Shotgun to your PC (via USB cable) to view and download reports as Microsoft Word or PDF files.

The feature that we're particularly happy about is the POI reviews. We knocked the lack of this capability in our original review of the TeleNav Shotgun, since we think it's one of the benefits of having a connected PND, so we're glad to see this addition. You'll now be able to check out reviews for a variety of POI, including the aforementioned restaurants and hotels, but also stores, museums, and more. In addition, you'll be able to add your own reviews and ratings right from the GPS.

The new features are part of the TeleNav Connected Service, and current Shotgun owners who have subscribed to that service will receive an over-the-air message alerting them to the update. We'll be checking out the new capabilities ourselves, so check back soon for an updated review.

The Garmin Nuvi 200 is a good choice.

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)

Q: If you had to pick a walking-tour-guide GPS for a first-timer walking in New York City, but wanted to use a basic GPS auto navigation system, what would you buy? Are crossover systems any good? We are visiting NYC for Valentines Day weekend and don't want to get lost! --Bill via e-mail

A: Bill, I've found that crossover GPS units aren't exactly what they advertise. These portable navigation devices, such as the Magellan CrossoverGPS and Garmin Nuvi 500, try to be all-in-one GPS solutions for drivers, boaters, and outdoor enthusiasts. However, it's been my experience that while they're decent navigators for the car, when it comes to other modes of transportation, you're better going with a dedicated GPS for that specific activity.

That said, all hope is not lost for you. Since you're looking for something to navigate the streets of New York City and not the back country, you can probably get away with a basic in-car GPS. I'd recommend something small and basic like the TomTom One 130S or the Garmin Nuvi 200, since it will be easy to walk around with and then slip into a pocket or bag. With the Nuvi 200, you can also purchase the Garmin Travel Guide SD card that comes loaded with recommendations and ratings for hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions, and more, all provided by Fodor's travel guides. The accessory costs $70, but includes data for all of North America.

Another suggestion I have is that if you have a cell phone or smartphone with integrated GPS, you can add a location-based service like TeleNav to get real-time tracking, turn-by-turn directions, and local search. There are a couple of advantages with this option. First, you wouldn't have to carry another device and a cell phone is ultra-portable. You can purchase the location-based services on a per-day basis (or per-month if you wish), so this option could also save you some money.

Hope this helps, Bill, and have a wonderful Valentine's Day in NYC!

Q: What's the difference between portable navigation devices (PNDs) and smartphones with built-in GPS? Why do we have to pay for GPS service on smartphones, even they have built-in GPS antennas, whereas for in-car GPS, we don't need to pay a monthly subscription? Is there a smartphone which will also function as a PND that will avoid paying monthly subscription to mobile companies? --Wize Chap via e-mail

A: Wize Chap, I completely understand your confusion. On the surface, PNDs and GPS-enabled smartphones seem to offer the same services and navigation tools--maps, points of interest, turn-by-turn directions--so why in the world would you pay an extra subscription fee just to get GPS capabilities on a mobile phone when you can get it all for one price on a PND? Well, there are several reasons.

(Credit: AT&T)

With GPS-enabled smartphones and cell phones, you're not paying for the use of the GPS antenna. You're paying for the connectivity and dynamic content provided by location-based service (LBS) providers like TeleNav and Network in Motion. This content includes real-time traffic, local business listings, and current gas prices, and the information provided on your smartphone will always be current since you have that constant connectivity. On the other hand, with an in-car GPS, you get whatever is preloaded on the device at the time of purchase. The map data and points-of-interest database may be current at the time of purchase, but eventually, they will become outdated and you will have to pay for any map updates. Also, if you want any real-time traffic information on a PND, there usually is a monthly or yearly subscription fee.

To get more clarification, I talked to MaryBeth Lowell, communications manager for TeleNav, who explained it this way, "With a PND, you pay for the device and what resides on the device when you buy it. If you want any upgrades, you have to pay for it, otherwise you have a device with a shelf life since you won't get map or business-listing upgrades--not to mention content like traffic. With phone-based nav, you get the benefit of the wireless connection, because it's inherent in the phone. But just like a connected PND, you need to pay a subscription to get the real-time content." Lowell also added that the reason for subscription fees is to pay the partners who provide and update the real-time data, noting that carriers are also part of the revenue chain.

Hope that helps, Wize Chap!

Sprint Navigation

(Credit: Sprint)

Today, Sprint and TeleNav announced they are expecting a little cell phone/GPS lovechild sometime in April. They've named the location-based service (LBS) Sprint Navigation, and it brings a bundle of navigation joy, such as:

• Text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions
• 3D maps
• Pedestrian mode
• Real-time traffic alerts
• Local search with more than 10 million points of interest
• Gas finder by lowest price

Sprint Navigation will be available on most Power Vision phones, including the Motorola Razr V3m, the Motorola Krzr, and the LG Fusic, with several data plan options. The new Sprint Power Vision Navigation Pack gives you unlimited access to Sprint Navigation, data, and Web browsing, as well as Sprint Mobile E-mail, Sprint Picture Mail, Sprint Radio, and Sprint TV, for just $20 per month. You can check for other plans on Sprint's Web site.

TeleNav Traffic on Moto Razr

(Credit: TeleNav)

Nobody loves staring into a sea of red brake lights while enduring their daily commute, but TeleNav and Sprint are hoping to relieve some of that headache with TeleNav Traffic. A new feature of TeleNav GPS Navigator, a GPS-enabled navigation service for cell phones, TeleNav Traffic alerts you to congestion and accidents with voice and visual prompts on your mobile phone. In addition, customers can get alternate routes by pressing "0" on their phone, and can receive an estimated time of arrival based on real-time traffic conditions. Swanky.

TeleNav Traffic is currently only being offered to Sprint customers and is immediately available on three devices: the Motorola Razr V3m, the Motorola Krzr K1m, and the Sanyo Katana. And did we mention, it's free? Well ... sort of. If you're a Sprint customer and a current subscriber of TeleNav GPS Navigator ($9.99 per month for unlimited use), TeleNav Traffic is available to you at no extra charge through June 30, 2007; afterward, you'll have to pay $3.99 per month.

Well, Cingular's just having a field day today. In addition to announcing the availability of the long-awaited HP iPaq hw6920, the cell phone carrier launched its first location-based service, called TeleNav GPS Navigator, for its business and government customers. The service costs $9.99 per month for unlimited use (or $5.99 per month for up to 10 trips) and provides text- and voice-guided turn-by-turn directions and color maps so that you don't miss that important client meeting. In addition to the standard nav features, there are some extra handy tools, including a Biz Finder for searching local businesses, a Fuel Finder, and a Spot Marker so that you can find your car wherever you parked it. TeleNav GPS Navigator is available on the GPS-enabled HP iPaq hw6920, the HP iPaq hw6515, the Cingular 8125, and the Palm Treo 650. If you own the 8125 or the Treo, you will need a Bluetooth GPS receiver, however. And hey, Cingular is currently offering a free one-month trial, so why not take it out for a test-drive?

(Photo: TeleNav)