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Motorola impresses with pre-loaded apps list for CLIQ
October 19th may be under a month away, but that's still an eternity in "waiting years." Thankfully, Motorola has posted up a handy guide that spells out exactly what kind of pre-loaded software comes with the CLIQ, and we've got to say -- the list is fairly impressive. For starters, users will get access to LastFM, an array of Google features, Yahoo! Mail (funny, real funny), Digg, Mint, Facebook, Twitter, Travel Channel, MTV and Amazon's MP3 Store. On top of all that, Moto's throwing in QuickOffice -- a piece that demands $9.99 on the iPhone -- as well as TeleNav Navigator, which has also found itself on a few other Android-based smartphones over the centuries. Hit the read link for the full list, but only if you don't mind the tease.[Via Phandroid]
TeleNav GPS Navigator comes to T-Mobile's myTouch 3G
TeleNav has already launched its subscription turn-by-turn navigation service for the G1, so it stands to reason that official myTouch 3G support would be close behind -- and sure enough, the company has announced that its GPS Navigator app will be available for download to T-Mobile's second Android device starting tomorrow, August 5. The app features all of the goodies that TeleNav users have come to know and love, including traffic and incident monitoring with automatic rerouting, gas prices, business information, and a choice between 2D and 3D maps; additionally, you've got automatic day / night coloration, carpool lane and tollroad avoidance, and speech recognition for destination input -- a big plus when you're on the road and you need to keep distractions to a minimum. We've been playing with a cut of GPS Navigator on our myTouch recently, and it delivers a totally usable car navigation experience -- a perfect complement to the comprehensive pedestrian capabilities of Google Maps. Most of the warnings from our G1-based review of the application carry over here -- you need true GPS reception, not merely cellular triangulation, so your phone will need a view of the sky to have a shot at picking up satellites (this also means that getting a location lock is a more time-consuming process, though it typically didn't take longer than a few seconds to do its thing). We're not digging how the colored lines that convey traffic information on highways flash; we'd rather they just stayed a solid color, the way most GPS systems handle it. We also found that the menus are a little wonky -- bringing your finger in contact with a menu item and swiping up or down to scroll would occasionally trigger the first item you touched, which ends up being a fairly annoying bug in practice. All told, though, if you can justify the expense, your $10 a month is going to net you a genuinely reasonable way to consolidate all of your help-me-I'm-lost needs -- whether by foot or by car -- into a single device.
Pre Sprint Navigation app demoed on video
It's not quite a flood, but there's been a steady trickle of Pre news out of CTIA this week, and the latest is this video demo of the Sprint Navigation app. It's pretty familiar stuff if you've ever used the carrier's TeleNav-powered navigation on a device like the Samsung Instinct, but does have a nice coat of webOS interface sheen to it, and let's face it -- we'll take all the Pre demos we can get. Video after the break.
Engadget's recession antidote: win TeleNav GPS software for your G1 with one free year of service!
This whole global economic crisis, and its resulting massive loss of jobs got us thinking. We here at Engadget didn't want to stand helplessly by, announcing every new round of misery without giving anything back -- so we decided to take the opportunity to spread a little positivity. We'll be handing out a new gadget every day (except for weekends) to lucky readers until we run out of stuff / companies stop sending things. Today we've got TeleNav's GPS software for the G1 bundled with one year of free service on offer. Statement of the obvious: this software will be useless to you if you do not own or plan on buying a G1. Read the rules below (no skimming -- we're omniscient and can tell when you've skimmed) and get commenting!Special thanks to TeleNav for providing the gear!The rules: Leave a comment below. Any comment will do, but if you want to share your proposal for "fixing" the world economy, that'd be sweet too. You may only enter this specific giveaway once. If you enter this giveaway more than once you'll be automatically disqualified, etc. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) If you enter more than once, only activate one comment. This is pretty self explanatory. Just be careful and you'll be fine. Contest is open to anyone in the 50 States, 18 or older! Sorry, we don't make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so be mad at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad. Winner will be chosen randomly. The winner will receive the TeleNav GPS software for the G1 and one year of service. Approximate value is $110. If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of the end of the contest. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Entries can be submitted until Wednesday, March 25th, 11:59PM ET. Good luck! Full rules can be found here.
An Engadget adventure with TeleNav's G1 GPS software: hands-on, impressions, and video
After learning that TeleNav would be releasing dedicated turn-by-turn GPS navigation for one of our favorite devices -- the G1 -- we got more than a little excited. Thankfully, we've had a chance to take the software for a spin before its February 24th release date, and these are our findings. The software is really snappy, snappier than a lot of dedicated GPS units we've used. Finding satellites can be a major pain sometimes, and the signal can drop while you're driving (see video), which could be a major headache if you're on a trip and you really don't know where you're going. The app doesn't seem to eat up much space (it occupies 4MB on the device), so it appears to be pulling map data OTA. That's a good thing if you're worried about filling up your G1, but bad if you need info quickly or you're not in a data-gettin' spot. We experienced a crash while it was fetching satellites. The software is still being tweaked from what TeleNav tells us, so we're going to assume that won't be an issue once it's on the market. The traffic, restaurant, and gas station services are top notch and pretty speedy (once it figures out where you are). Since a lot of GPS units aren't pulling live data on surrounding businesses or traffic / weather info, this is a nice touch. The speaker volume on the G1 is probably a bit quiet if you're cranking on a highway -- that could be an issue if you're really relying on what Stephen King calls "the GPS voice." As expected, it's a power hog, so plan on having an adapter in the car if you're going to get any use out of this. %Gallery-44658%
TeleNav launches GPS navigation for the G1
They finally, really did it. Have you been lugging around that G1 and a GPS unit, grunting disdainfully every time you have to bust the latter out? Well it looks like TeleNav has heard your cries of disgust. The company is officially launching its turn-by-turn GPS navigation for the Android-powered device come February 24th. The software will feature full color 3D graphics, speech recognition, one-click rerouting, and traffic alerts, as well as weather updates, gas prices, and restaurant reviews (the PR claims over 10 million business and services). The service will launch with a 30-day free trial, after which it'll run you $9.99 a month. While we can't say we're too stoked on the price, it's still not too terrible of a fee to pay to actually put that GPS chip to use (and save some room in your glove compartment). Convergence: we're almost there. %Gallery-44496%
TeleNav's GPS Vehicle Tracker comes to AT&T's enterprise services
Vehicle tracking is an old trick at this point, but that's not to say there's no demand out there in the enterprise space. Announced today, the TeleNav Vehicle Tracker has been added to the carrier's portfolio of enterprise mobility services. Said GPS-enabled device can be hard-wired or embedded onto a vehicle to provide "companies of all sizes with a hassle-free method for monitoring and managing fleet operations." Specifically, it can log and report via email or SMS (on AT&T's network, obviously) when an employee violates an established policy (speed, stop time, mileage, etc.) and provide "detailed information about vehicle activity, including whether the engine is turned on or doors are open." The tracker will run customers a whopping $399, with a monthly service fee of around $34 (yes, for each device). In other words, you better be really suspicious before diving into this.[Via RCRWireless]
Switched On: Riding Shotgun in a traffic jam
Each week Ross Rubin contributes Switched On, a column about consumer technology. Often, a shotgun is used at the beginning of a dash, but not so in the world of connected GPS devices, where Telenav launched its Shotgun portable navigation device days after Dash decided to exit the hardware business with its pioneering Dash Express. Unlike Dash, Telenav was no newcomer to the guided navigation space, being a leading provider of turn-by-turn navigation services to cell phones. Its customers include Sprint and AT&T, and consumers can subscribe to the service directly through Telenav -- even if their carrier doesn't support it -- as long as their smartphone does. The product is free to download, but carriers charge a subscription fee for unlimited use, or offer it on a per-diem price. Because it is designed for an inherently wireless device, Telenav software includes features such as traffic notification, which is a premium feature in portable navigation devices. In addition to physical advantages such as the large screen, the Shotgun has at least one important advantage over Telenav's cell phone services. Since its maps are local, the device continues to route even when you drive outside of cellular coverage areas. But there's at least one holdover from its cellular heritage that Telenav needs to shed on the Shotgun -- an unceasing, bright blue LED signaling wireless connectivity, which is hugely distracting to the driver, especially at night. Perhaps a bundled strip of black duct tape will do in the meantime.
Telenav Shotgun connected GPS launched, reviewed
It doesn't seem like the connected GPS market is the best place to be at the moment -- Dash just dropped hardware sales in a radical restructuring and Magellan's halted development of the 5340 -- but Telenav isn't shying away, throwing its hat into the ring with the $300 Shotgun. A $12/month GPRS subscription gets you the usual slew of web-enabled features like real-time traffic and weather, live POI searches, gas pricing, and online trip planning, all wrapped in the usual Telenav PND UI and bolstered by 11 million preloaded POIs. Sounds like an interesting piece of kit, and it's apparently well done -- GPS Review took an early look at the 4.3-inch touchscreen PND and found it to be a "good start," albeit with some minor annoyances that will hopefully be remedied in a future software update. Still, we're just not all that convinced that another subscription fee is going to appeal to many in this economic climate -- we'll see if the Shotgun manages to fire. Peep tons more pics in the gallery.%Gallery-36523%
AT&T to follow Verizon's footsteps, self-brand navigation service?
Love it or hate it, AT&T's been offering TeleNav navigation services on a number of devices for a while now -- but it looks like the carrier's trying to up its clout just a smidge by rechristening the service with its own name. We've been hearing that TeleNav will become AT&T Navigator tomorrow -- on AT&T, anyway -- and to commemorate the occasion, the Motorola Z9 slider will be launched as the inaugural device to use the rebranded service. We should be able to validate or debunk this in just a few hours now, so stay tuned.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in, with special thanks to Rick for the image]
Sprint bundles TeleNav with data
For some data subscribers, Sprint's TeleNav-sourced navigation service just got a little more accessible. The Power Vision "Ultimate Pack" and "Business Pack" bundled data packages now include unlimited nav use -- great for folks prone to getting hopelessly lost on a regular basis -- instead of paying for it a la carte. An entirely new package, Power Vision "Navigation Pack," also includes unlimited use plus the usual suspects (unlimited on-device data, mobile email, and so on, but don't even think about tethering) for $20 / month. Not worried about losing your bearings daily? Subscribers to any other Sprint data pack can now get their nav on for $2.99 per 24-hour period, too.
TeleNav coming to Telecom Italia and Rogers Wireless soon
Telecom Italia -- aka TIM -- is going to have TeleNav's mobile GPS navigation solution inside some of its handsets soon, according to an announcement that TeleNav, Softec and Telecom Italia at 3GSM today. First off will be TeleNav's solution on RIM Blackberry handsets, which will receive TeleNav's GPS Navigator software. It's all nice to have, say, turn-by-turn voice and on-screen driving directions and addresses -- because the roads and streets of Italy are beautiful but scary to the uninitiated. Canada's Rogers Wireless gets the TeleNav love also, which is good for those up North from where we are at the moment. As soon as it is humanly possible, dealers of TIM (no, that's not an indie movie) and will begin the all-out effort to promote TeleNav GPS Navigator. Softec will provide in-the-field sales support and will ensure anyone who have those pesky in-depth navigation questions sits down to get load of answers from TeleNav's solution. TIM customers using the Blackberry 8707, 8700, 7130 and the Pearl can download the TeleNav software as of now according to TIM, and Rogers customers can get the app directly from Rogers starting March 6th. One caveat -- a Bluetooth GPS receiver will be a requirement for non-GPS enabled RIM handsets, though.Read - Telecom ItaliaRead - Rogers
RIM's new Blackberry 8800 gets worked over
The nasty details on the newer Blackberry 8800 are in the form of a review. Is it a sports car or a gussied-up luxury SUV, though? LAPTOP Review sides with the latter, as RIM's latest offering sports onboard GPS (we knew that) and TeleNav software built right in for an extra $10 per month charge. While you won't mistake this for a Motorola Q or even a Blackberry Pearl, the 8800's 2.4 inch screen, large-capacity battery and looks-to-be-quite-useful QWERTY keyboard are the highlights according to the review -- all of which make the 8800 rather wide -- but still holdable. Just like most of you, we're kinda partial to wider screens instead of taller screens -- that is, unless you read your emails in "portrait" fashion. One downer? The voice quality was a little fuzzy on the incoming side according to the review. Price? $299 from Cingular for this EDGE (but not HSDPA) beauty with a 2 year contract for one of RIM's newest with a feature list as long as your arm.
Sprint debuts TeleNav Traffic with intelligent rerouting
Sure, you can get all fancy and download your traffic reports via MSN Direct straight to an appropriately equipped Garmin, but Sprint and TeleNav have a slightly older-school idea (if you can really call EV-DO old-school) in mind. TeleNav Traffic supplements the company's phone-based GPS navigation software with traffic data updated every five minutes; problematic situations on your route can be delivered both via voice and on-screen prompt. Best of all, it'll route around jams, fiery wrecks, and other disasters automatically at the user's whim. Right now, availability is limited to Sprint's RAZR, KRZR, and Katana -- that's the bad news -- but the good news is that it's free for folks who pick up the basic GPS Navigator between now and June 30. After that, $3.99 / month is the magic number.
Cingular's Pearl launches tomorrow, TeleNav offered
Not only should you be able to stroll into a Cingular store in the next few days and pick up a Blackberry Pearl (ahead of schedule, no less), but now we're finding out there's no way you'll get lost getting back home. Cingular's variant of the Pearl -- a device already launched to much fanfare on T-Mobile -- will be the first carrier-launched device in the US to feature TeleNav Maps, providing users with static maps (that is, no GPS link) and driving directions free of charge. Of course, folks ponying up the cash for an external GPS receiver will also be able to use the dynamic TeleNav navigation services already offered on several other Cingular devices. Other than this Pearl's push-to-talk capability, the spec sheet reads very much like its T-Mobile predecessor -- 260 x 240 display, 1.3 megapixel cam, SureType, crappy keys -- and it can be yours starting tomorrow for $200 on a two-year contract.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
TeleNav expands to Nokia E62, Treo 680
After initially announcing availability on a handful of devices last month, Cingular and TeleNav are expanding their partnership by bringing navigation to the recently-launched Nokia E62 (and, oh yeah, the Treo 680, too -- though there's no specific mention of Big Orange involvement on that one). The software package rings in at $6/month for 10 trips and $10/month for unlimited use, offering all the same navigational features that you'd find on TeleNav's previous Cingular offerings -- the 8125 / 8525, Treo 650, and HP hw6925 -- with a couple of added bonuses on the E62: the new "fuzzy search" feature, as the name implies, completes user entries based on predictive logic and previous searches, while 3D maps also make an appearance for the first time. Sorry, 680 users... maybe next version.[Via Slashgear]Read - Nokia E62Read - Treo 680
Cingular hooks up with TeleNav for LBS
Following its CDMA and iDEN competitors headlong into the hot location-based services game, Cingular is finally poised mark their first wide-scale LBS deployment by hooking up with TeleNav to offer turn-by-turn navigation to its customers. Though the service will be marketed mainly toward the carrier's business users, pretty much anyone with a lousy sense of direction stands to benefit, with both auto and pedestrian modes included in the box. It'll be offered starting at $5.99 a month for 10 uses or $9.99 for unlimited use on the HP hw6920, Treo 650, Cingular 8125, and the just-'round-the-corner 8525, though handsets without GPS receivers (that is, pretty much anything but the HP) will need to hook up to an external Bluetooth unit to make it all happen.
