Mapquest Navigation on Mobile Phones | GPS Lodge.com

location based services


AOL unit MapQuest on Monday unveiled a mobile map service that customers can use on their cellular phones, complete with voice directions, text and maps in a bid to expand on the popularity of its Internet maps. The MapQuest Navigator will be marketed as a cheaper alternative to navigation systems built into cars.

Interestingly enough this follows their agreement to work with TomTom to sell the MapQuest PND - a modified TomTom GO 300 - see related story. Clearly Mapquest is trying to leverage their mapping and directions equity into this new growing and lucrative space.

In order to get the software for the service to consumers' phones, MapQuest is working on agreements with cellphone operators. The service could work in cellphones sold by Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel Corp., the company said. "A big part of our future is mobile ... We have users of mapquest.com that already trust us. This is just a better way for us to guide our users to their destinations," said Alan Beiagi, MapQuest's general manager of wireless.

MapQuest, which has about 40 million monthly users of its Internet driving directions and mapping services, hopes its online popularity and features such as turn-by-turn voice prompts give it an edge over offers from rivals such as Google Inc. and InfoSpace.

No word on pricing or availability.

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Posted by Scott Martin at April 3, 2006 07:57 AM

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