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Although we Palm Addicts and Treonauts get excited over our MP3 apps, BT headsets and Video players, these are still mobile accessories; and, don’t deliver on the tantalizing promise of wireless applications.
With wireless applications, our handhelds become terminals: we’ll wirelessly access powerful enterprise servers, with their huge databases and powerful processors. Gone are the stripped-down ‘pocket’ versions of desktop applications. Wireless apps (in theory) will give us true, enterprise computing power on a handheld device. The only problem is that almost every wireless ‘solution’ has yet to solve its own issues. They aren’t capable of providing the bullet-proof, dependable consistent performance that a true wireless solution demands. Cases-in-point, streaming video and audio: the image quality can be very lacking, and ‘caching’ stops are commonplace.
That’s why I am very excited to write about a useful wireless app/service that truly delivers on the promise of wireless computing: TeleNav GPS Navigator.
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TeleNav Overview
Those who use their handhelds for GPS know what an asset it is. Portable GPS is not only a convenience…it can be vital. The trade off for handheld GPS is that they require large chunks of our devices’ memory, they require the use of our SD slot (for the Maps), they require a sizable investment, and the maps (and points of interest) are out of date as soon as we load them. In order to update the maps, we have to wait for the vendor to produce an update, and often pay a lot of money to get them.
TeleNav has taken a different angle: all of the maps, points of interest, etc. reside on TeleNav’s servers…not on your device. All you require is a small application to provide graphic representation of the data that TeleNav is sending to you via cellphone towers.
TeleNav is sending you all the map information ‘on-the’fly’; and, what you are receiving is always the latest updated maps from their servers. Meanwhile, your position and directions are being updated via a very robust BT GPS receiver.
More importantly, TeleNav also provides its subscribers with a web-based interface to manage trip plans, and destinations. This provides three huge advantages over device-based GPS:
1) The convenience of creating/managing custom lists of trips and destinations with a PC/Mac, instead of via your handheld
2) There is no memory impact on your handheld. The custom data you create is accessed wirelessly, along with the ‘standard’ TeleNav data
3) The maps, points-of-interest and other data that you access is always the latest and most current version
During the 6 weeks of my test, I used TeleNav countless times for local and regional trips around NJ. I also used it as my sole navigation tool on two extended round-trips:
1) NJ-to-New Haven, CT (115 miles, each way)
2) NJ-to-Baltimore, MD (210 miles, each way)
The TeleNav Experience
TeleNav has worked closely with Palm to customize the experience for the full line of Treo smartphones (Windows and Palm OS), from the 650 to the 680. Sprint and other Treo wireless providers are offering the service on a monthly subscription basis.
First, I downloaded the TeleNav app to my Treo (790 KB), and activated the service.
Next, I went to the TeleNav web client, and pre-entered a list of addresses that I wanted to have the service navigate to. The web-client is a great idea, and one of the unique differences that make TeleNav a fully realized wireless app/service. All of the heavy lifting is done at the PC and server, leaving the handheld to deliver the finished data.
Then, I mated the TeleNav GPS BT receiver to my Treo 700p. I had tried to use my personal Mobile Crossing BT GPS receiver; but, apparently, it doesn’t support fast enough data speeds for TeleNav. Mating the receiver to my Treo was simple, and went without a hitch. Even better, it immediately got a GPS lock, from inside my house. Although I have a clear view of the southern sky, I live in a river valley, and getting a GPS lock is sometimes tricky. Not so with the TeleNav receiver. The receiver is about the size of an iPOD Nano, with a low center of gravity. This helps the units four rubber pads do a good job of sticking to the dashboard. I put it on a StickyPad, and it never moved…even when in my 1991 Mustang (it rides like a buckboard on potholes).
The unit delivered extremely precise tracking of my position on the map at all times, and was incredibly fast at delivering the data into TeleNav.
Truth be told, I will probably be looking to buy one of these receivers for my own use. In comparison, the data throughput from my old receiver is like comparing Seabiscuit to a Clydesdale. It gets the job done, but its no racehorse.
Next, I launched the TeleNav app on my Treo. The main screen has clearly marked icons, and is representative of the entire TeleNav user interface: easy to understand, simple to use and extremely powerful in the background. With this similarity to the ‘Zen of Palm’ philosophy, it is easy to understand why Palm was attracted to working with TeleNav.
I chose ‘Navigation, and brought up the ‘Drive To’ screen, with choices that include:
· Recent address (all addresses that you keyed into the web client or the Treo)
· Recent cities (same as above)
· Key in address (enter a new address in the Treo)
· Call in address
This last one is very cool, and another good example of what a true wireless app can provide. Just call TeleNav at their ‘800’ number, and tell the nice computer what address you want to get to. Immediately, that address will be displayed on your Treo, and TeleNav will begin to guide you there.
One other choice that I want to highlight is TeleNav’s Biz Finder. This option provides you with a wealth of pre-defined categories (ATM, Hotel, Restaurant, etc.), and one that is a real stand-out: Biz Finder will fetch the current per-gallon prices from the local gas stations. Choose your price, and TeleNav will guide your thirsty battle wagon straight to the pumps. Again, this is only possible because of the constantly renewed data on TeleNav’s servers; and, is the advantage of a fully-realized wireless app/service
For my test, I chose ‘Recent address’ which brought up the list of addresses I had earlier entered into the TeleNav web client. I chose the destination I wanted, and TeleNav brought up a confirmation screen. At this point, you have 10 seconds to cancel or change your destination. After that guidance will begin.
The actual GPS guidance screen is where TeleNav begins to really strut its stuff. The screen displays:
· Current location, compass direction and GPS signal strength
· The road you are currently traveling on; along with cross-street names
· The name of the road you will make your next turn on
· The distance to the next turn, and the direction of the turn
· The distance to your final destination
If anything, TeleNav displays too much information on the screen; and, this is where I have my first issue with their solution. In providing a driver with the information they require, there is a fine balance between being able to take it all in at a glance, or having to focus on it. In my opinion, TeleNav provides too much on the screen, and forces the driver to give the screen their full attention (if only for a moment), and take it off the road.
The best I have seen is TomTom: they don’t provide redundant buttons on the screen, where they can utilize existing Treo buttons. The saved real estate is given over to the map screen, making it just big enough to see at a glance; while still providing enough screen space for widgets with additional information.
The navigation is fast and precise, with plenty of notice given for upcoming turns. The voice commands are clearly pronounced in a warm, female voice.
Performance is praiseworthy
I have licenses for both TomTom and Mapopolis; so I have been able to give TeleNav a very strong comparative test against these two leading Treo GPS solutions.
I have been traveling NJ’s roads for over 30 years, and know more then one way to get to most places. That tends to drive my GPS units crazy, as I am always taking a shortcut or alternative route (depending on the traffic). Suffice to say that, not only did TeleNav keep up with all of my maneuvers, but it made the adjustments faster then TomTom or Mapopolis. This is not a deficiency with the other two solutions…just an advantage of having large servers doing the computing, instead of your handheld. The rendering of maps is excellent, the directions crystal clear and the speed of the maps is really incredible. After all this time, I still find it very hard to believe that all the data is coming into my Treo in real-time from remote servers. This is the kind of potential I have been expecting out of a handheld for years…but, the first time I have experienced the reality.
Pricing and Specs
TeleNav is available from Cingular, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, Alltel, Boost Mobile and SouthernLINC in the USA (there are a growing number of international providers, as well). For those who require the BT GPS receiver, the initial cost is $139 (USD), which includes unlimited trips for the first 3 months of service. For those who already own compatible receivers, there are service-only plans. Average cost is $10 per month for unlimited trips, if you have a data plan with your carrier. For those who don’t have a data plan (is there such a Treo owner out there?) the same $10 gets you 10 trips per month. A breakdown of the costs (by carrier) can be found here.
Why ‘rent’ instead of buy? For a lot of people, especially smartphone newbies, there are a plenty of good reasons to do so:
· Simplicity
A small app on the device, with very little impact on memory or processor (and, on other apps). The easier it is for someone to own and operate, the more likely that more people will embrace it
· Lack of up-front investment
Compared to the cost of a TomTom or Mapopolis package for the Treo, $139 (including 3 months service) is a low initial nut. In comparison, Palm is offering a sale of TomTom Navigator 6 for $249
· Cost of ownership
TeleNav keeps the maps, points-of-interest and all data current on a daily basis. The cost for this is included in your monthly service charge. With ‘on-board’ solutions, your data is only as current as the release you have loaded on your handheld. Most GPS solutions providers only update once a year; and, the average cost for updated maps is $100 (USD).
TeleNav BT GPS Receiver: Technical Specs
· SiRFstarIII™ high performance and low power consumption chipset
· 20 channel GPS receiver
· Operation time: 11 hours in continuous mode
· Bluetooth operation range: 10 meters (32 feet)
· LEDs show receiver operating state
· NMEA 0183 protocol via Bluetooth SPP
· Dimensions: 3.23X1.68X0.53 inches
Bottom Line:
Is this a perfect GPS solution for all people? No…for those Road Warriors who regularly travel into areas of low (or non-existent) wireless reception, TeleNav would be a poor choice; and, an ‘on-board’ GPS solution the only way to go. However, wireless apps are supposed to be for the largest possible market…not the extreme exceptions. In that context, TeleNav is a brilliant solution: low-cost, accurate, fast, easy to understand and simple to use. For the ‘average person’ getting into smartphones and GPS for the first time, there is a great deal to love about TeleNav. I would still like to see TeleNav reduce the clutter on the navigation screen, and provide more display options. However, this is the first, fully-realized consumer wireless app/service that I have seen. For that reason, above all else...making the dream of wireless personal services a reality…I am delighted to make TeleNav GPS Navigator my 2006 Treo Product of the Year.