After an
April launch, AT&T's significantly extending the reach of its AT&T Navigator service with the announcement today that a new Global Edition of the software will provide nav capabilities in 20 countries. That's probably welcome news to globetrotting businessfolk that happen to carry one of AT&T's GPS-capable worldphones -- and businessfolk seem to be
exactly the demographic they're targeting with a healthy $19.98 monthly charge for the pleasure of not getting lost worldwide. Much of western Europe, the Caribbean, and six Chinese cities are on the roster, and the carrier is quick to point out that those cities will all be hosting Olympic events -- so, you know, if you need to make it from dressage to the 100-meter dash as quickly as possible, those might be the best 20 bucks you ever spent.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RC @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:01PM
This is a good idea. And it's less than getting a GPS in a rental car.
Roger Alford @ Jul 22nd 2008 8:39PM
Most rental cars have GPS INCLUDED -
Most cellphones also rely on A-GPS to work with Navigation - unfortunately they rely on the cell network MORE then the satellites - making it worthless if the network doesnt support it.
Remember E-911 is in the USA and Canada but NOT Europe by mandate. This is how they were able to capitalize on A-GPS (Ill note that Helio phones DO NOT disclose your location to 911 operators, one reason I left them)
At $19 per month - I think Ill stick to my Canada, Mexico, USA version included in my service data plan.
PeterF @ Jul 22nd 2008 9:07PM
Actually, most of the phones support A-GPS but it is not required. A-GPS just makes getting a signal faster. If the network doesn't support A-GPS, it would just take a little more time to get a signal.
The thing I am wondering about is data usage. Since data costs a lot overseas (and the plans are limited to the amount of MB you can use) wouldn't this thing cost a fortune?
Dave @ Jul 22nd 2008 11:02PM
orrrrr just use TomTom on my Tilt for free...
Captain_Eric @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:34PM
I tested AT&T Navigator US service vs TomTom Navigator 6 for PDA/Smartphones. TomTom is better in every way, except a few minor areas. A few big reasons: a) remember you need to pay additonal for a (unlimited) data link, b) you need to have access to a data link c) features a far better on TomTom which works without a data link.
For my money, it's crystal clear, TomTom Navigator is better than these Telenav services. (Or if you want to go get TomTom version 7 on xda-developers, whose members extracted the newer version 7 from the HTC Touch Diamond. I understand it's better yet.).
Michael S @ Jul 22nd 2008 10:42PM
PeterF,
I was thinking the same thing. Wouldn't you end up paying through the nose for the data?
firesign @ Jul 23rd 2008 9:34AM
i'll stick with my garmin nuvi, thanks.
Mary Beth - TeleNav @ Jul 24th 2008 7:17PM
Interested in a behind the scenes look at how TeleNav managed the localization of language and culture for AT&T Navigator Global Edition? Check out this blog post here from one of our audio engineers: http://blog.telenav.com/blog/2008/07/author—karen.html