Cingular Rolls Out TeleNav GPS Navigator Service

Along with its shiny new HP iPAQ hw6920 it launched today, Cingular also rolled out its version of the TeleNav GPS navigation service, barking out turn-by-turn directions without requiring you to buy a separate receiver. Yep, these phones have a satellite receiver built-in.

The TeleNav service, which has been available on Sprint Nextel, Boost Mobile and SouthernLINC Wireless and others for a while now, gives you moving maps with voice and on-screen directions, and also helps you find businesses such as ATMs, restaurants and gas stations. Tell the TeleNav you're walking and it pops into a special pedestrian mode to help you find your way on foot.

Cingular will clip you $9.99 per month to use the TeleNav GPS Navigator, and it works on the HP iPAQ hw6920 as well as a few other GPS-enabled phones from Cingular. But paying that monthly tariff beats buying a dedicated GPS system, even though their steep $800-ish prices of just a few months ago have dwindled to around $300 for some highly-capable units. We're thinking/hoping it won't be long until all cellphones have GPS navi like this as standard equipment.

Product Page [Telenav]