Mobile WorkHorse

By Al Sacco
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Al Sacco writes about (and drools over) anything and everything mobile or wireless as it applies to the global workforce--with a focus on BlackBerry smartphones

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Al Sacco

BlackBerry Storm Gets TeleNav GPS App: Move Over VZ Navigator

Posted December 23, 2008 to Applications |

Despite a notable lack of Wi-Fi, Research In Motion's (RIM) BlackBerry Storm packs internal GPS. But until today, pickings were slim when it came to full-fledged GPS navigation apps for the Storm; Verizon Wireless's own VZ Navigator was the only option. Thanks to GPS software vendor TeleNav and its TeleNav GPS Navigator for Storm, that's no longer the case—and the company's giving away free 30-day trials.

screen shot of TeleNav GPS Navigator on the BlackBerry Storm
TeleNav GPS Navigator on the BlackBerry Storm

The new TeleNav Storm app features multicolor, 3D motion-maps; both spoken and on-screen directions; voice recognition for destination entry; traffic alerts with estimated ETA; and a variety of local search functions. And it works in conjunction with the device's accelerometer, so the app functions in both portrait (vertical) and landscape (horizontal) modes.

TeleNav GPS Navigator is already available for a wide variety of BlackBerry devices. In fact, TeleNav powers the popular AT&T Navigator and Sprint Navigation GPS apps. And VZ Navigator and all three of the TeleNav apps all cost the same amount at $9.99 for a month's worth of unlimited trips. (For a comparison of both the Sprint and AT&T TeleNav apps and VZ Navigator, read "Smartphone GPS Showdown: AT&T v. Sprint v. Verizon.")

screen shot of TeleNav GPS Navigator route summary page on BlackBerry Storm
TeleNav GPS Route Summary Page on BlackBerry Storm

I haven't had a chance to take a ride with the Storm app yet, but I've been using AT&T Navigator for some time now and I'm a big fan. It's no full Garmin or Tom Tom GPS unit, but for a smartphone app, you can't beat it. I did, however, fire up the new Storm software just to see what it looks like—and so I could show you. The extra screen real estate the Storm's display provides really makes a difference when compared to my BlackBerry Bold's screen. But I also noticed a slight lag when switching back and forth between portrait and landscape—the word "loading" actually appears on screen for a second during the transition.

Visit the TeleNav blog for more information on TeleNav GPS Navigator for Storm or download the app over the air (OTA) via BlackBerry browser.

And for more great BlackBerry Storm apps, read "Free BlackBerry Storm Apps: Seven Essential Downloads."

AS

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