Telstra's GPS-enabled Handsets to Go Garmin

While the world is still waiting for the first-ever Garmin phone to be launched, Australian mobile users might be pleased to find out that Telstra, the largest mobile carrier in their country, has striken a deal with Garmin, via Sensis, in order to improve the capabilities of its GPS-enabled handsets.

Following the agreement, Garmin will provide turn-by-turn navigation technology for selected Telstra handsets, while Telstra's wholly owned subsidiary, Sensis, will come up with point of interest info as well as various other dynamic content for the Whereis Navigator application.

Leveraging on Garmin Mobile, Whereis Navigator is built as an intuitive and user-friendly application that provides turn-by-turn and voice navigation via users' GPS-capable mobile phones. The Navigator is capable of routing users to an indicated street address or to any of its 600,000 points of interest (including hotels, shopping locations, restaurants and so on). Furthermore, the Garmin-powered application has text to speech capabilities and it can automatically calculate correct routes when you stray off course. Also, Whereis Navigator integrates with the contacts found in your phone, letting you easily travel to any of your friends' addresses.

“Sensis, like Garmin, is an innovative company that strives to improve the everyday life of their customers. By offering Garmin's premium navigation to Telstra customers, Whereis Navigator users will save time and headaches as they'll now be able to avoid hassles related to bad directions or getting lost,” said Charles Morse, Director of Mobile and Online Marketing at Garmin.

Gregan McMahon, Sensis Mobile's Group Manager, adds, “Combining Garmin's leading satellite navigation with Sensis' comprehensive mapping points of interest and other content takes Whereis Navigator to the next level”.

Telstra says that Whereis Navigator will be embedded soon into its handsets that have GPS capabilities. The application should be available as a free trial, which can be downloaded directly on your Telstra mobile phone.