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.

telenav

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.

Top Rated Comments

wwooden Avatar
184 months 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.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Böhme417 Avatar
184 months ago
It should probably read:
"has launched...for developers"
"plans to launch the service in early 2012 for everyone else"
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
eNcrypTioN Avatar
184 months ago
I'll stick with the garmin app. I like have maps stored locally on my device.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
kainjow Avatar
184 months 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
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Amadeo Avatar
184 months ago
Well hell. I'm impressed.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikefla Avatar
184 months 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
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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