Oct/Nov 2007

A navigation and mapping application from Swedish developer Wayfinder is to be offered pre-installed on Nokia's N810 Internet Tablet, which is this maker's latest contribution to the mobile computing market (more details in News Update, page 11).

The N810 features integrated GPS location alongside other advanced features such as a full QWERTY keyboard. The Wayfinder software uses the GPS capability to allow users to find their location on screen maps, to browse street maps and to navigate to Wi-Fi hotspots and points of interest. They can also call up downloadable maps.

As supplied, the software offers a limited subset of the full range of Wayfinder's Navigator application, which users can buy in Western Europe for a subscription of 99 euros. They do however get the benefit of a seven-day trial of the premium version.

The full version includes voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation, the option to choose the fastest or shortest route, and the choice of car, pedestrian and bicycle routing modes. Additional online services such as real-time traffic information and safety camera updates can also be accessed, subject to local availability.

 

Ironically, the announcement of the pre-installation deal comes hot on the heels of the revelation that Nokia is planning to buy digital mapping producer Navteq (News Update, page 4). The mapping used by Wayfinder is by Tele Atlas, Navteq's main rival, which has just been acquired by another satnav specialist, TomTom.