MTN launches mobile GPS
MTN today announced that it has partnered with Garmap, a provider of satellite navigation and mapping services in South Africa, to provide the next generation of Garmap’s mobile phone navigation – Garmap for Mobile Online – on BlackBerry smartphones.
Says Sharoda Rapeti, MTN General Manager: Products and Services: “MTN believes in engaging best of breed applications to provide the best possible service to our customers. Hence we have chosen to go with a locally developed solution, Garmap for Mobile Online, as the software application and BlackBerry smartphones as the most suitable device to launch this.”
The software gives users the complete GPS experience – delivered to their mobile phone – with the same capability of the best GPS devices. The service is automatically accessed via a data connection – GPRS, EDGE and 3G HSPA – to download maps, points of interest (POIs) and other useful information.
The mobile navigation service offers off-board navigation, which means that the data resides on a central server and not on the device itself. This assures users of always having access to the latest maps and points of interest (POIs).
The fact that the service makes use of off-board navigation ensures that the performance of the smartphone will not be impacted by significant consumption of phone memory. No additional data charges will be levied for this service, as this is included in the BlackBerry Internet Service subscription.
The navigation service has the following standard features:
• Turn-by-turn voice navigation
• 2D and 3D maps with turn signals
• Updated points of interests
• Latest South African maps
• Weather information
• Trip report
Another feature of the navigation package is access to a web portal which complements the functionality on the mobile device. The web portal allows for pre-planning of destinations that are automatically synchronised with the mobile device as well as management and printing of trip reports. Additionally, all location favourites stored on the mobile device can be viewed and managed on the web portal.
The service is currently available to new MTN BlackBerry customers and those renewing MTN BlackBerry contracts.
MTN/Garmap/Blackberry GPS – give your views
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