TeleNav Let us know they are releasing version 6 of TeleNav Navigator tomorrow for “Select Handsets.” They do not specify what those select handsets are (Probably AT&T only) but they are adding some really nice features. This upgrade will include:
- One Touch speech recognition
- Lane assist for major roads and intersections to help drivers perform upcoming maneuvers
- Audio alerts for upcoming intersections reportedly equipped with red light traffic cameras
- On-screen freeway speed limit information with visual warnings when drivers exceed the posted speed limit
- “Local Apps” option in the application’s main menu, giving customers quick access to local movie information, weather and commute alerts
- Red light traffic camera alerts
Those are some great features for people who use TeleNav regularly. I still think TeleNav could dominate the market if they offered maps cached on your SD card but GPS companies thus far have idiotically ignored the opportunity.If you are a TeleNav customer you definitely want to try upgrading tomorrow. Anybody else planning on subscribing to TeleNav for the new features?
Full press release below:
TeleNav Unveils New Version of TeleNav GPS Navigator™
New features include one-touch speech recognition, lane assist, red light traffic camera alerts and speed limit alerts
Sunnyvale, Calif. – March 22, 2010 – TeleNav, one of the largest global wireless navigation services providers with more than 14 million subscribers, today announced the upcoming launch of TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.0. With this new version, customers will receive several new features including one-touch speech recognition, lane assist, red light traffic camera alerts and speed limit alerts. In addition, customers can receive turn-by-turn directions to their destination even if they drive out of wireless coverage.
Increasing Safety and Improving the Navigation Experience
With this launch, TeleNav introduces single-click speech input which allows the user to press one button and use common phrases such as “Drive to 1130 Kifer Road, Sunnyvale, California,” “Search for Starbucks,” or “Show me a map of Sunnyvale, California.” Customers can also say “Drive home” to launch directions to their home or use a new shortcut option, “Home” in the “Drive To” menu of the application.
Other new features include:
· Lane assist for major roads and intersections to help drivers perform upcoming maneuvers
· Audio alerts for upcoming intersections reportedly equipped with red light traffic cameras
· On-screen freeway speed limit information with visual warnings when drivers exceed the posted speed limit
· “Local Apps” option in the application’s main menu, giving customers quick access to local movie information, weather and commute alerts
Navigation Out of Wireless Coverage
Using unique, patent-pending technology, the new release of TeleNav GPS Navigator now downloads the entire route and surrounding map data onto the driver’s phone. This ensures users will continue to receive turn-by-turn directions to their selected destination if they drive out of wireless coverage – even if they miss multiple turns along the way. In addition, the service will allow customers the ability to start a route back to their original location while out of wireless coverage. Once they drive back into wireless coverage, they will again have full service access in order to get directions to a new destination as well as receive real-time information such as traffic alerts.
Focusing on Customer Feedback and Innovation
TeleNav announces its new version after recently being recognized as the Top Handset Navigation Supplier by ABI Research. For the second year in a row, the firm has ranked TeleNav as world leader based on overall innovation and implementation.
“The most important thing we can do is listen to feedback from customers. This new version incorporates many features that they’ve asked for,” said Sal Dhanani, co-founder and vice president, products and marketing for TeleNav. “Our team is committed to providing the absolute best in mobile phone navigation.”
The new version of TeleNav’s service will be available this Wednesday, March 24 on select devices.
