For the technologically challenged at the bottom of the
well:
"Europe : Orange Business Services launched a new GPS navigation
application to be downloaded on to a range of mobile devices -
including smartphones and PDAs from Nokia, Sony Ericsson,
BlackBerry and Orange - providing its business customers with a
real-time, cost effective solution.
Powered by Webraska, a leading provider of GPS navigation
solutions, Sat-Nav from Orange can be used when walking, cycling or
driving. Rather than having a specific device just for this
application, Sat-Nav from Orange works on a range of mobile devices
making it a cost effective business investment. 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 saves precious memory space and
ensures that maps and points of interest are always up to
date.
Sat-Nav allows users to save time, fuel and money by working out
the most efficient route to a destination. According to
navigational analyst Canalys "The mobile GPS navigation market is
doubling year on year in EMEA. By the end of the year 14 million
Sat Nav units will have been sold in the UK of which around 1
million will be on smartphone devices." Sat-Nav on mobile devices
means that users are free from the constraints of having a fixed
device. Users can switch modes of transports, whether it is pool,
hire or their own cars and can even get directions when
walking.
"Using Sat-Nav on your mobile means businesses can save time and
money. It 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
£55m 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 quick and easy to install on a number of mobile
devices and once installed, it is easy to download routes. 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 more up to
date than standard Sat-Nav devices for which users need to buy new
maps on an annual basis.
Once each route has been downloaded, Sat-Nav from Orange provides
GPS-triggered real-time, turn by turn voice instructions, clear
maps with road names and pictograms of turns, which provide
accurate directions, even in the most built up areas. Favourite
routes can be saved to mobile devices. The real-time road traffic
information allows routes to be optimised according to traffic
conditions and enables automatic re-routing should traffic
conditions become challenging.
Jean-Michel Durocher, Founder and EVP of Webraska, said "Working
together, Webraska and Orange have produced an application that can
help you get to wherever you need to be, by the best possible
route, whether you are in your car, walking or on a bike. It offers
all the benefits of a traditional Sat-Nav unit with real-time
access to new maps and the latest information whilst eliminating
the need for expensive and bulky hardware equipment."
Pricing & Availability
Sat Nav from Orange is priced at £150 excluding VAT. This includes
the software license, a GPS receiver with in-car charger and a car
windshield or fan grid for the mobile device. The download of
journey routes will be charged at standard pay as you use data
rates.
Real time traffic information is available for an additional annual
charge of £27.59 excluding VAT. Maps for all of Europe are also
available for an additional annual charge of £27.59 excluding
VAT.
Sat Nav from Orange is available on a wide range of devices and
five different operating systems . In terms of coverage the
application includes mapping for the UK, Ireland, Belgium,
Luxembourg and The Netherlands as standard, and easily extended to
all of Europe. Service and availability are subject to terms and
conditions. Further details can be viewed at
www.orange.co.uk/business/satnav and the application is also
available from Orange's SME applications showcase - an online
portal that delivers easy-to-use business tools for small business
customers to help them manage every element of their business - for
further details visit www.orange-applications.com."
(http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Nov2006/3983.htm)
