Personal navigation systems could become even more of a commodity item with the planned launch by Orange France of a mobile phone-based navigation system. It is expected to be ready by the end of this year.

Interestingly, despite the recent rapid growth in tracking technology that uses mobile phone signals to fix positions, especially in the UK, the Orange system will use conventional GPS satellite technology to do the actual positioning.

The navigation kit will comprise the phone-based computer application, a Bluetooth GPS receiver module, a cigarette-lighter DC adapter and a car cradle. There will also be a 12-month full-service subscription.

Webraska, the leading provider of wireless navigation, location-based services, is responsible for the software component.

 

The software is stored in a memory card that can be installed in the handset in moments. The kit is said to be compatible with Orange Microsoft Windows Mobile powered SPV handsets, as well as with major handsets running on the Symbian operating system, such as Nokia's 6600 and 3650.