Telenav updates GPS navigator, adds arrival notification

Navigation services provider Telenav has just announced an updated version of its GPS Navigator smart phone application for BlackBerry devices, along with a new app to help drivers keep family members, business contacts, and others of their choosing updated with their anticipated arrival time.

GPS Navigator 6.0 adds improved voice recognition to enable one-touch entry of addresses, popular business names, or to ask for a city map. The update also adds lane assist for major roads and intersections, alerts to warn drivers when they're exceeding the speed limit or traffic cameras may be ahead, and a Local Apps feature to provide subscribers with local movie information, weather, and commuting updates. (See our cell phone and service ratings.) 
In addition, complete directions to a destination will now be downloaded to the phone all at once, rather than downloaded en route as is often the case with cell phone-based navigation. This way, users will be able to continue to navigate even if the wireless signal is lost. 

The update launches Wednesday, March 24, on select AT&T BlackBerry devices, with more to be added in the future. Subscription cost remains the same at $10 month.
 
OnMyWay is a free download that lets users select a name or contact list from their phone before setting out for a trip, and the app will then send updates of their arrival time by text message or e-mail. This convenience negates the common need for travelers to call ahead with updates, instead allowing them to focus on driving.

Once the driver inputs a destination and scheduled appointment time, OnMyWay will send an initial notification and arrival time, and up to three updates along the way based on the user's preferences. Recipients can be notified if the sender is going to be late and when they're now expected to arrive, when the driver is a predetermined number of minutes away, and when they're one minute from their destination.

OnMyWay is available now through Blackberry App World for a variety of devices using the AT&T network. ( Check for compatible devices.) Plans call for adding more devices and networks in the future, but specifics have not been announced.

See our iPhone navigation app buying advice and reviews.

— Jim Travers