Whereis Navigator GPS for BlackBerry Gets Live Traffic Information

BESadmin · #1 (**permalink**) 24-03-2009, 11:02 PM

Whereis Navigator GPS for BlackBerry Gets Live Traffic Information
24th March 2009
www.itwire.com

Telstra launched the Whereis Navigator service back in 2005. Complete with voice guidance, it's an alternative to stand-alone GPS car navigation systems, and the subscription model means you get the latest data available without having to shell out for new maps every year or two.

Various improvements have been made to Whereis Navigator since its debut, and the latest is the incorporation of live traffic news. The service now routes drivers around trouble spots.

"Drivers are now able to keep their eyes on the road whilst Whereis Navigator automatically re-routes them around high-impact traffic incidents, providing users with a hassle-free driving experience," said product manager Layla Foord.

The traffic feed comes from the Australian Traffic Network, which also provides information to TV and radio stations.

This new feature is roughly equivalent to the TMC-based SUNA traffic update service broadcast via FM radio and usable by GPS navigation devices from several leading manufacturers. SUNA currently covers Melbourne and Geelong, Sydney, and Brisbane and parts of south-east Queensland.

The price of Whereis Navigator remains at $A15 per month or $A4 per day. A free seven-day trial is available.

Whereis Navigator - including the live traffic feature - works on various mobile phones including the BlackBerry Pearl, Curve, Huron and Bold; the HTC Diamond and Touch HD; the iMate 8502 and 9502; Nokia N85; Palm Treo Pro; and Samsung i617T (Blackjack 2).

The Nokia N95 and N96 work with Whereis Navigator but do not support the traffic information feature according to Sensis officials.

davidsop · #2 (**permalink**) 03-04-2009, 10:23 PM

I've been using Whereis Navigator successfully on my Bold. Great GPS software. Recently, our company IT dept blocked WAP usage to ensure data charges weren't incurred by any users. (Blackberry browser is still unrestricted).

Now Whereis doesn't work, so I assume it used WAP.

Is it possible to use Whereis via Blackberry browser or must WAP be enabled?

GaryCutri · #3 (**permalink**) 04-04-2009, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidsop

I've been using Whereis Navigator successfully on my Bold. Great GPS software. Recently, our company IT dept blocked WAP usage to ensure data charges weren't incurred by any users. (Blackberry browser is still unrestricted).

Now Whereis doesn't work, so I assume it used WAP.

Is it possible to use Whereis via Blackberry browser or must WAP be enabled?

Hi,

WhereIs Navigator does use WAP but you get unlimited mapping data for $15 per month. Your I.T department could make multiple I.T Policies on the BES and still allow WAP access for selected users.

Thanks,

Gary

davidsop · #4 (**permalink**) 04-04-2009, 11:31 AM

Thanks for the reponse Gary. Much appreciated.

supabrudda · #5 (**permalink**) 04-05-2009, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GaryCutri

Hi,
WhereIs Navigator does use WAP but you get unlimited mapping data for $15 per month. Your I.T department could make multiple I.T Policies on the BES and still allow WAP access for selected users.

It also means your IT department would be allowing anyone with the policy to have WAP enabled, thus occur data charges for non Where-Is data is that is used via the WAP connection. (the reason they (and we) disabled it in the first place).

You could use free & BES/MDS friendly GPS software like Google Maps, (I believe Amazegps also works via BES).

davidsop · #6 (**permalink**) 01-07-2009, 10:51 PM

Is it possible for the IT dept to set a policy for an individual user that would allow WAP for Whereis, but disallow WAP for all other applications? Then the WAP charges would be capped at the $15/month subscription for Whereis.

GaryCutri · #7 (**permalink**) 02-07-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidsop

Is it possible for the IT dept to set a policy for an individual user that would allow WAP for Whereis, but disallow WAP for all other applications? Then the WAP charges would be capped at the $15/month subscription for Whereis.

Hi,

You can only enable or disable WAP for the entire device and not only selected applications.

Thanks,

Gary

Tom McDonald · #8 (**permalink**) 15-10-2009, 09:58 AM

I have Whereis Navigator installed on my BlackBerry Bold 9000, and a Parrot v5.20C bluetooth handsfree kit in my car. The hands free works fine for calls but does not work for the turn instructions from Whereis. It has managed to connect and work a couple of times but usually will not.

Any suggestions on how to fix this would be appreciated

GaryCutri · #9 (**permalink**) 26-10-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom McDonald

I have Whereis Navigator installed on my BlackBerry Bold 9000, and a Parrot v5.20C bluetooth handsfree kit in my car. The hands free works fine for calls but does not work for the turn instructions from Whereis. It has managed to connect and work a couple of times but usually will not.

Any suggestions on how to fix this would be appreciated

Hi,

I personally haven't used your car kit model with WhereIS but ensure your Blackberry has the latest firmware (4.6.0.282), your car kit has the latest updates applied (check via the parrot website) and WhereIS is the latest version.

Thanks,

Gary

Tom McDonald · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2009, 07:26 AM

Hi Gary
I have updated my BlackBerry to the latest firmware (the IT guys at work did this) and my Parrot device is only 3 months old

A colleague has the same problem, our IT guys can't seem to fix it, they say that "there are well documented problems with BlackBerry and bluetooth"

Strange that the bluetooth works great for phone calls, it's onlt WhereIs that's the problem

So I'm still stuck with headphones as the only workable solution at this point in time