Vodafone today released Vodafone Compass, a GPS-based navigation service with integrated search via Yellow Pages.
Available today on the Blackberry Curve 8310 and the new model Blackberry pearl 8110, the service will be made available on other GPS-enabled mobiles later in the year.
Developed in conjunction with Yapp Mobile in Australia, the service is based on streaming real-time service rather than the installation of a complete set of maps via a memory card. This allows the service to be streamlined and light on data as only the route information you request is downloaded to your phone, not an entire city map. Dynamic mapping also means the map information is continuously updated to reflect any changes on the ground, like road closures etc. Maps on memory cards will, however, be offered in the near future, to avoid users falling into network black holes.
The service is live today and voice instructions including New Zealand place names are available immediately. if you buy a new Pearl of Curve today and download the software before the end of July, you can use the service for free until the end of October. After that the service will cost a flat fee of $10 per month, with no additional data charges, or can be used for a day for $2.50.
An Australian service for roamers will be up and running within months, but you will pay roaming charges if you use that service. Other countries are not contemplated at this point.
Given that it is a mobile service, the software can use cell-tower positioning when you are inside and unable to access GPS satellites. You can then search for addresses or services within a specified radius like 2km.
Another feature is that you can search for navigational instructions via an address in your Contacts folder, and integration with Calendar appointments is also coming.
Using Yellow pages information you can search via business name or business address and a number of default buttons are also provided for the likes of banks, petrol stations, parking buildings, restaurants etc.
Another great feature is that you can swap from a driving mode to a walking mode so that once you've parked your car, you can still be guided on foot to your final destination.
If you don't feel like coughing up for a new mobile handset, the service will also be offered via a Bluetooth dongle that can sit on your car dashboard. A date for that has not yet been set.
Depending on how you feel, there is one potentially major drawback in that the service opens the way for mobile advertising. You know, "come into our gas station and we'll give you 4c off every litre of petrol".
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