What you need to know about the new direct marketing guidance note
Nadine Mather and Chloë Loubser
High tech mobile navigation system coming to SA
Route 66, a provider of smartphone navigation solutions based in the Netherlands, will officially launch its Mobile 7 - an onboard navigation system for cellphones - at 3 GSM Africa, the Pan-African communications event in Cape Town on 19 and 20 October 2006. The concept of using the smartphone as a navigation tool will allow South African mobile geographic technology to be brought in line with Europe, North America and Asia, where smartphone navigation is already widely accepted by users.
"ROUTE 66 Mobile 7 determines its position using an advanced highly sensitive wireless GPS receiver, effortlessly guiding the user to the required destination with verbal turn-by-turn driving instructions, complemented by visual 3D directions on the smartphone screen," explains Harry Klein, retail and distribution sales manager, EMEA Route 66.
Full navigation
Users of Windows or Symbian smartphones (such as the Nokia N80) will be able to add full navigation functionality to their handsets.
"As billions of consumers rely on their cell phone as their primary means of communication, it makes sense to use this tool for personal navigational purposes," adds Klein. "Most of us have our mobile phones with us all day and using them to find out where we are and need to go just makes life easier."
According to recent reports, by 2010 the dominant communications device will no longer be the PC, but will in fact be the 3G (or most recent technology) smartphone, and all Internet content will be formatted for the cellphone.
Safety aspect
A key benefit to South African users is the safety aspect that this product provides. "With Route 66 Mobile 7, the user does not need to stop to consult a passer-by or look at a map for directions, both of which are potentially dangerous situations," says Klein. "He or she will not get lost, but arrive safely, on time at the destination."
Distributor Bossers & Cnossen (B&C), one of the largest HP providers in the northern parts of the Netherlands, established BNC Trading & Representation early this year. "Together with its subsidiary in South Africa, BNC T&R SA (Pty) Ltd, B&C will bring the hugely successful mobile navigation products from Route 66 to the South African market," says Alice Schindeh?tte, commercial manager B&C, South Africa.
Easy to use
Route 66 Mobile 7 is specially developed for ease of use on cellphones, with data supplied by Navteq. There is no installation required to start the navigation: one inserts the memory card provided in the Route 66 package into the smartphone and switches on the wireless GPS receiver. The product automatically connects the GPS to the phone and one types in the first three letters of the street and city in order to find the destination.
A new navigation display has been developed, providing the user with vital travel information on a single well-arranged screen, including 3D map display, full exit and turn information, and full route statistics. In addition, the map includes a point of interest database, with restaurants, hotels, petrol stations and other useful destinations. The user can dial directly from the map interface to a point of interest to make inquiries or a reservation.
The system also directs the user to a specific house or location number within the street.
The system will retail in South Africa for R2999.00 for the complete kit.
Compatibility
Mobile 7 and Navigate 7 are compatible with all smartphones and pocket PCs that use the Symbian Series 60 or the Windows Mobile 2003 or higher operating system. Users can go to www.66.com to check which smartphones are compatible.
