Telmap Develops "Thin-Client" Navigation Application for the iPhone

­Navigation services provider, Telmap has joined with NAVTEQ to develop a mobile search, mapping and navigation application for Apple's iPhone. The first two launches of this solution are the MapQuest Navigator that was announced on October 7, 2009, and Orange Maps in France that was announced on October 19, 2009, with more launches expected to be announced across the globe by leading tier 1 operators.

NAVTEQ is owned by Nokia.

"This solution enables mobile operators to provide operator-branded navigation solutions with global coverage, local content and real-time features to iPhone users," said Oren Nissim, CEO, Telmap. "The advanced solution brings together technology, openness and coverage to make search, mapping and navigation relevant, effective and suitable for different types of people in different parts of the world."

Telmap said that the advantages of its mobile navigation solution, as opposed to on-board solutions, centers on its ability to deliver server based information on location, points of interest, live traffic reports and more. Because Telmap's solution only requires a thin-client on the iPhone handset, all of the intensive calculations and map data can be stored server-side, meaning that the maps and information that are sent to the handset are up-to-date and the application is light, allowing simple and fast download to the iPhone.

"As the leading provider of map, traffic and location data, we are proud to be involved with Telmap and this extension to the iPhone space," said Serge Bussat, vice president, Consumer Sales, Europe NAVTEQ. "We see this as an important step in enabling turn-by-turn navigation for mobile solutions for mass adoption."

Posted to the site on 29th October 2009