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TeleNav Introduces Free HTML5 Browser-Based Navigation Service

Wednesday December 14, 2011 9:47 am PST by Jordan Golson
TeleNav has launched a browser-based turn-by-turn navigation service for mobile phones written in HTML5. The service will be free for consumers and developers of mobile websites and apps will be able to integrate turn-by-turn directions into their products.

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 plans to launch the service in early 2012, but is accepting applications from interested developers at telenav.com/developer/HTML5.
[ 29 comments ]

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wwooden
Posted: 23 weeks ago



Perhaps this will encourage Tomtom to drop their app fee. Although I would still prefery regular GPS. Rather than having a call screw up the directions. Not to mention eat up my data.

I wonder does the Tomtom app actually store the full map locally? That could make it more useful than this.


Yes, the TomTom app stores all the maps on the phone, the main reason why the App is 1.7gigs. I bought the TomTom for that reason; if I'm traveling, I'm more likely to have GPS signal than data.
Rating: 8 Positives / 0 Negatives
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Böhme417
Posted: 23 weeks ago
It should probably read:
"has launched...for developers"
"plans to launch the service in early 2012 for everyone else"
Rating: 4 Positives / 0 Negatives
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eNcrypTioN
Posted: 23 weeks ago
I'll stick with the garmin app. I like have maps stored locally on my device.
Rating: 3 Positives / 0 Negatives
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kainjow
Posted: 23 weeks ago



I already knew that it was possibly for it to do so, but I would still like to know how it possible that HTML5 can locate you.


Spec:
http://dev.w3.org/geo/api/spec-source.html

Demo:
http://merged.ca/iphone/html5-geolocation
Rating: 2 Positives / 0 Negatives
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Amadeo
Posted: 23 weeks ago
Well hell. I'm impressed.
Rating: 2 Positives / 0 Negatives
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mikefla
Posted: 23 weeks ago
This is great but absolutely useless if you have no Internet access because you can't use it. And i'm surprised they didn't mention traffic updates. I believe the idea here is to get lots of users on board then get lots of advertisers and flood the thing with Ads. No surprise there. No thanks, I'll stick with my TomTom iPhone app.

To the user asking, yes TomTom stores all maps locally on your phone so you don't need Internet access to use the app, you just need the app and GPS signal.

-Mike
Rating: 1 Positives / 0 Negatives
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eNcrypTioN
Posted: 23 weeks ago

I'll stick with the garmin app. I like have maps stored locally on my device.


But garmin does not store the maps locally, like tomtom or navigon, right?


I think its stored on my phone, it's shows that it's taking up 2.2gb of space.
Rating: 1 Positives / 0 Negatives
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davie18
Posted: 23 weeks ago
I already knew that it was possibly for it to do so, but I would still like to know how it possible that HTML5 can locate you.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
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Anonymous Freak
Posted: 23 weeks ago

Spec:
http://dev.w3.org/geo/api/spec-source.html

Demo:
http://merged.ca/iphone/html5-geolocation


Heck, in Google Maps, just click the "dot" button immediately above the zoom bar.
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives
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cvaldes
Posted: 23 weeks ago
Both CoPilot (a paid app) and NavFree (a freebie) also store maps locally.

CoPilot Live Premium HD for the USA is something like 1.5GB.

Navfree Live USA is 1.9GB, but I will note that there are certain individual state apps, so you don't have to download the entire country. For example, Navfree Live California is just 235MB, a more manageable download. One could add additional states when traveling (assuming Navfree offers them).
Rating: 0 Positives / 0 Negatives

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