If you're a smartphone owner that's ever gotten lost while out and about, you're likely aware of the fact that most platforms offer a wide variety of downloadable navigation apps to find your way. TeleNav is responsible for some of those very apps, having released software for Android, BlackBerry and iOS, but today the company announced its plans for a new type of navigation service. Using HTML5, TeleNav has created a new navigation service that works entirely in a browser and provides voice-guided, turn-by-turn GPS navigation. Best of all? It's free. TeleNav says that it expects the public launch of its new HTML5-based navigation service to go down early next year, but developers can try it out right now by adding the service to a mobile app or website with one line of code.
This isn't the first time we've seen a company offer up a free navigation service, as Android folk have been enjoying free voice-guided directions for some time now, but the fact that TeleNav's new solution will work in any HTML5-capable browser is pretty neat. Considering the number of different navigation apps available and the fact that just about everyone uses navigation software from time to time, it should be interesting to see if TeleNav's HTML5 service performs well enough to serve as a replacement for stand-alone apps. More on this as we get it!
TeleNav Announces World’s First HTML5 Browser-Based, Voice-Guided, Turn-by-Turn GPS Navigation Service
Free for both developers and consumers; Access available now for select developers
Sunnyvale, California — December 14, 2011 — TeleNav, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNAV), one of the largest global wireless location-based services providers, today announced that it has created the first HTML5 browser-based, voice-guided, turn-by-turn GPS navigation service for mobile devices. By simply adding one line of code, developers of mobile websites or of apps with local content will have a free and easy way to integrate full GPS turn-by-turn directions into their services, creating a more seamless user experience and increasing user engagement and time spent within their applications.
Similar to TeleNav's award-winning GPS navigation application, the HTML5 navigation service will include full-color moving maps, audio directions, and automatic rerouting if the driver misses a turn. TeleNav's HTML5 navigation service will be free for both developers and consumers and will support all major mobile platforms.
"This is an enormous amount of added value for any mobile, location-based website or app focused on travel, shopping, local search, deals and more," said Sal Dhanani, co-founder and vice president of products for TeleNav. "With one line of code, you can give your customers one-click access to premium, voice-guided turn-by-turn directions to any location, including hotels, restaurants, merchants or deal locations. Customers never need to leave your app."
TeleNav would like to partner with select developers to test the service. Interested mobile website publishers and app developers can apply for early access by visiting TeleNav's website at www.telenav.com/developer/HTML5.
TeleNav expects to publicly launch its HTML5 service in early 2012. Consumers will not need to be current TeleNav customers but will need to have an HTML5-compatible feature phone or smartphone.
Image via Engadget
