A new GPS navigation application has been launched by Orange Business Services, which can be downloaded on to a range of mobile devices – including smartphones and PDAs from Nokia, Sony Ericsson, BlackBerry and Orange – for its business customers.
Sat-Nav from Orange – which is powered by Webraska – can be used when walking, cycling or driving, and works on a range of mobile devices. All maps and live traffic updates are held on a central server and are downloadable from the internet via Wifi, 3G, GPRS or the Orange EDGE network onto the mobile device. This is said to save memory space and ensures that maps and points of interest are always up to date.
“Sat-Nav on your mobile is easy to use and enables businesses to streamline the number of devices they have to purchase and manage” said Gareth Williams, Group Manager Solution Products, Orange Business Services. “The location based service market is currently around GBP55m and estimated to double by 2009 according to the Yankee Group. Orange is well placed to capitalise on this opportunity through our brand, channel reach, customer service and understanding of how applications work in a mobile environment.”
The application is said to be quick and easy to install on a number of mobile devices. The detailed maps from NAVTEQ are stored on Webraska’s servers and hold information on hotels, restaurants, parking and other useful points of interest as well as speed cameras and live traffic information. The maps are updated every three months and therefore said to be more up to date than standard Sat-Nav devices for which users need to buy new maps on an annual basis.