Gate5 has developed a low-cost GPS-drive personal navigator software that runs on SmartPhones and PDAs such as the Treo 650, Microsoft Smartphone and Nokia 6600 and HP’s iPAQ line of PDAs. GPS location is provided via their partner, Socket via their Bluetooth GPS receiver. Maps and software are stored locally on the flash storate card in the wireless device. System provides directions and map similar to what’s provided in vehicles and self-contained portable systems. It also provides “points of interest” plus hotel and restaurant review for over 250 city guides via partnership with Wcities.
Insight: While in-dash systems provide a larger display for GPS-based navigation, such a system can’t help when you’re out of the car when walking or riding a bike say when you’re visiting another city or hiking – or when you’re in someone else’s car that doesn’t have in-dash navigation. Smart2Go brings a powerful navigation system to the palm of your hand and allows you to use it no matter what car you’re in or where you’re walking or hiking. It won’t be long before you’ll expect personal navigation to be built in to any SmartPhone or other wireless handheld device you’re using.
