Nextel expands GPS

An application development platform and a navigation application for Blackberry units have been announced by Nextel Communications, offering fleets new options for using the network's GPS-based location features.

Intended for large fleets with internal IT development resources and third-party developers, the Nextel Wireless GPS Platform can be used to create customized applications using location data from the company's GPS-enable handsets.

GPS Navigation from TeleNav Inc. is a Java-based navigation application that runs on BlackBerry 7520 handheld units operating on the Nextel network. It provides both map and audible turn-by-turn directions that are updated automatically to correct for missed turns or changes in a route.

The TeleNav application also features an interactive voice response system that can be used to input destinations or ask for location information. It supports a number of languages including Spanish, Russian and Mandarin.

More information is available at www.nextel.com\blackberry