NaviGadget

AT&T A-GPS

Sep 11, 2008 gps navigation, phones

AT&T just announced yesterday that they’re adding A-GPS capabilities to their network. What this means for you is that if you have an A-GPS capable mobile handset you use on AT&T’s network, their cell towers will help you get an initial satellite fix a lot faster. To get a position fix from a cold start can take as long as a few minutes but with A-GPS this could be as short as 20 seconds.

AT&T also announced the launch of two navigation applications: MapQuest Navigator and AAA Mobile navigator. MapQuest Navigator is powered by Telmap, and provides access to turn-by-turn, voice-guided driving and walking directions, 3-D moving maps, 16 million points of interest from MapQuest’s database. AAA Mobile navigator on the other hand is powered by Networks In Motion (NIM), and provides audible turn-by-turn directions, AAA TourBook travel guide information including Diamond Ratings for restaurants and lodgings, gas prices, movie reviews and show times, traffic alerts with alternate routes and more. AAA Mobile also allows AAA members to send their GPS location directly to a roadside assistance operator.

With the addition of A-GPS capabilities AT&T is getting closer to providing more enhanced LBS (location based services).