Google has launched the UK-specific version of its popular Java mobile app – Google (NSDQ: GOOG) Maps mobile. Users in Britain can now see Tube stations, and use the local search. If you have a Java-enabled handset (almost all new phones support Java), you can download the UK version of Google Maps mobile from google.co.uk/gmm.

In the other news, Google finally added support for GPS to the latest version (v1.5.1) of Google Maps mobile. In the application press “0″ to quickly pin-point your location with a blue dot. Originally, Google promoted this feature as being exclusive for the Helio Drift. Now they’ve quietly released an update that should work on all major platforms. (via: Crave, WebWorkerDaily)

Mexens Technology announced the availability of Navizon on Blackberry (NSDQ: RIMM) devices. Users that are not familiar with Navizon should know that this software allows them to:

• see where they are on a map and easily find their way to their next destination
• see the whereabouts of their friends or coworkers right from their mobile device
• search for bars or restaurants right around where they are

Navizon’s main strength is that it doesn’t require a GPS to provide location based services. Read the full article »

Disney Mobile subscribers should expect to see more services hitting their carrier of choice this summer. Among the announced improvements are the addition of the location based service Scout and a photo upload service. The first mentioned will display points of interests near the user’s location. On the other hand, introduction of the photo upload service will give subscribers ability to instantly upload and send photos from their camera phones.

Disney will of course go further — the MVNO carrier will also launch a unique online calendaring service later this year that will allow parents to manage the family calendar from a website with updates being pushed as alerts to family phones. (via: PhoneScoop)

The Finish giant always wants to go step further. Apparently, they are planning to make all their devices location aware in the future.

According to the popular navigation software developer and one of Nokia (NYSE: NOK)’s partners, Route 66, sooner rather than later “we’ll see GPS in everyday mobile phones – even pay as you go cheapies.” It will be another selling point for the handset manufacturers. Still, the battery issue remains, as GPS is draining the power of the phone.

I like the idea. Just hope that we’ll also see more powerful batteries along with this. We’ll watch this space carefully… (via: Navigadget)

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) today announced that it is making its smart2go mapping and navigation platform, available for free download, enabling millions of people to use the most comprehensive map coverage offered on a mobile device. The platform allows for mapping and routing in over 150 countries and has support for full turn-by-turn satellite navigation in over 30 countries. The application allows people to view where they are on a map, search for points-of-interests (POI) around them and create routes to get them there free of charge. Nokia plans to start offering the smart2go application for free, on Saturday, February 10th, for selected Nokia S60 and Windows Mobile 5.0 devices initially and has plans to roll out support for most of the major mobile OS platforms including Nokia S60, Series 40, PocketPC, Linux and other Windows Mobile devices.

Read the full article »

MobiMate recently released the new WorldMate 2007. The most interesting feature of the new version of “Swiss army knife of travel” is the global weather coverage – Weathercaster, which gives users automatic, visual and vocal weather reports. The new version also brings better S60-like UI with tabbed interface.

To sum up, Worldmate 2007 features include: real-time flight status updates, world clocks, global weather forecasts, currency converter and exchange rate service, and world day/night map.

You can read more about Worldmate 2007 on E-Series blog. The application costs 29.95 EUR with one-year subscription. You can download it over-the-air from mobile.mobimate.com or via the PC from here.

Tele Atlas, a leading global geographic content provider, today announced a partnership with Symbian to generate joint support actions for application developers using Tele Atlas data with the Symbian OS.

Read the full article »

Cingular Wireless became the first wireless carrier in the U.S. to introduce a wireless navigation system with 3D maps and “fuzzy search” when it launched an enhanced version of TeleNav GPS Navigator on the Nokia E62 device.

Using TeleNav GPS Navigator on the Nokia (NYSE: NOK) E62 device, customers will receive turn-by-turn directions while driving and view colorful 3D moving maps on the device’s large, high-resolution screen. Just like an in-car navigation system, the 3D maps turn, move and stop as the driver does the same, while also displaying a realistic image of the streets the driver is approaching and streets they are passing. Users can also pan and zoom the map to view surrounding streets. Read the full article »

It’s official – Nokia (NYSE: NOK) 330 Auto Navigation, the company’s first dedicated personal navigation device, has just been announced. It includes Europe-wide maps, with clear spoken and 2D/3D visual directions on the large 3.5″ color touchscreen.

The Nokia 330 Auto Navigation comes with an integrated GPS receiver and a 2GB memory card with the preinstalled ROUTE 66 Navigate 7 application and NAVTEQ map data. As I’ve already posted, the Nokia 330 can also play music, video and view photos.

At the moment, we don’t know which OS Nokia uses for this device. Is it Symbian, Linux? I guess we’ll know in the upcoming days. In the meantime, you should know that the Nokia 330 Auto Navigation will soon be available (Q4 2006) in select channels in Europe, at an estimated retail price of EUR 360 without taxes.

During the Smartphone Show, Navicore (recent Symbian Platinum Partner) introduced the world’s smallest Bluetooth GPS receiver to accompany the latest version of its award-winning GPS navigation product, Navicore Personal 2007.

The design of the device is marked by its size (only 64 x 22 x 15 mm) and its weight (just 30g). Nevertheless, it doesn’t compromise on quality of the receiver or the performance of it.

The Navicore Bluetooth GPS receiver is powered by the SiRF Star III GPS chipset and offers users up to 8 hours of battery life in continuous use. The built-in battery can be charged easily by connecting the USB cable included in the package to a laptop, PC, or a cigarette lighter outlet.

The Navicore Bluetooth GPS receiver is compatible with all Navicore Personal products supporting the following platforms: Symbian S60, Series 80, UIQ 3 and Linux Internet Tablet OS 2006 Edition. Availability: November 2006.