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. Server-based location applications developed with the new platform can be used with both Java and non-Java handsets. For more information, go to www.nextel.com.
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.
Cost for the TeleNav service is $9.99/mo. per unit. More information is available at www.nextel.com\blackberry or www.telenav.com.