Nokia files patent for side-sliding mobile phone with QWERTY keyboard

Wed, 21 Nov 2007 20:50:58 +0000

Here’s an interesting tidbit from the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). We stumbled across this patent application, from none other than Nokia, that outlines a method to incorporate a “turn and slide” display that tilts upward to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard. Now, there have been numerous sliding-screen designs in an effort to combine the full-face screen (touchscreen in some cases) with a full, comfortably-sized QWERTY keyboard - there’s the inimitable Sidekick flip-display (Motorola Sidekick Slide excepted), the HTC Kaiser ’s ( AT&T Tilt ) slide-up and tilting display, and the laterally opening design on the Nokia E90 and HTC Omni . With all that competition, you would think Nokia would want to design a unique way to combine the full-face display with a QWERTY keyboard - and you’d be right. The USPTO patent application reveals Nokia’s intention to use a rotating “knob” on one end of the device that, when rotated, will slide the display to the side and tilt it upward for convenient viewing - unveiling a full QWERTY keyboard underneath. Interestingly, Nokia’s design sketches seem to hint at a full-touchscreen setup - indicated by the lack of buttons on the front-face of the device. Could this be destined to be part of Nokia’s S60 Touch lineup? A touch-based S60 device with a sliding and tilting display and a full QWERTY keyboard? Be still our beating hearts. We’re not sure if this patent application will actually materialize in the real-world, but we sure hope it will. Maybe Nokia will see fit to include some Haptikos haptic feedback as well? Fingers crossed. [Via: Unwired View ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:First Chinese-Keyboard Touchscreen SmartphoneApple sued for patent infringement - SP Technologies claims patent over iPhone's virtual keyboardRumor: Sprint to get new QWERTY slider from LG?PDA / Cell Phone Combo Patent Application - Cell Phone Tucked Inside PDAAnother Chinese phone with QWERTY keyboard; Runs Windows Mobile 5!

MapQuest announces turn-by-turn navigation for mobile phones

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 21:27:58 +0000

MapQuest has announced their new MapQuest Navigator 5.0 for anyone that finds that the pre-installed navigation software on their GPS-enabled mobile phone just doesn’t cut it. The new MapQuest Navigator 5.0 brings the convenience of turn-by-turn directions to your GPS mobile phone for $4.99 per month. MapQuest is working with Telemaps to bring the Mobile Optimized Navigation Data technology (MOND) to your cellphone. MOND allows the navigation software to re-route the directions without needing to contact the server for updates - on-the-fly re-routing ensures that you’ll never be left wondering what to do after a missed turn. With features like live traffic, text to speech (it speaks street names to you), 3D map view, gas price and station locator, and City’s Best ratings from AOL CityGuide, MapQuest Navigator 5.0 puts more than just navigation information in the palm of your hand - it’s a full-fledge city-guide. “We believe that making more local content available for the consumer through mobile navigation will increase the use of these services in day-to-day life activities,” said David Singer, Vice President and General Manager of Telmap Inc. “In partnership with MapQuest, our goal is to enhance consumer satisfaction with an application that offers much more than navigation.” Grab the new MapQuest Navigator 5.0 from MapQuest (requires a sign-up). Press release after the break. MapQuest Teams with Telmap to Make Upgraded MapQuest Navigator Available for Direct Download from MapQuest.com; New Features Include Live Traffic, Gas Prices and AOL CityGuide Integration DENVER–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MapQuest, in partnership with Telmap, today announced that the newest version of its voice-guided, GPS-enabled wireless application, MapQuest Navigator 5.0, is now widely available to consumers through a new direct-to-consumer storefront on MapQuest.com. Customers, including the 50 million monthly MapQuest.com users, who sign up for new version 5.0 at http://navigator.mapquest.com between now and December 31, 2007 can download the application directly to their handset and purchase the service for the promotional price of $4.99 per month for the life of the subscription. In addition, MapQuest Navigator 5.0 includes feature enhancements such as live traffic, gas price and station locator, and City’s Best ratings from AOL CityGuide. “Consumers now have immediate access to GPS navigation on compatible devices at a fraction of the price of competitive products,” said Alan Beiagi, Director of MapQuest Wireless. “In addition, the enhancements to MapQuest Navigator 5.0 provide consumers with enhanced local content to more confidently explore the places in which they live and visit.” Recent research has shown the high value that consumers place on Location Based Services, particularly personal navigation. According to a recent J.D. Power and Associates survey, 40% of smart phone users want their phone to have GPS. New features in the latest version of MapQuest Navigator 5.0 include:

Live Traffic – Powered by INRIX, the leading provider of traffic flow information in the U.S., MapQuest Navigator lets users see the latest traffic flow along their route, get traffic alerts, and even be rerouted according to live traffic conditions in more than 106 markets across the United States.
AOL CityGuide Content including City’s Best Ratings – AOL CityGuide provides MapQuest Navigator users with local listings and ratings of restaurants and nightlife information for nearly 40 of the top cities nationwide.
Gas Prices – Find the lowest fuel prices nearest to your location, and search by station brand, distance or fuel type, including diesel and alternative fuels.
Text to Speech (TTS) Technology - Street names and navigation instructions are voice-announced along the route in advance of turns; while each maneuver and cross-streets are conveniently labeled on the display. The voice interface will even specify the destination as “on the left” or “on the right” upon arrival.
3D Map View – Full-color 3D moving maps, allowing users to gain an above-view and forward-looking perspective as they travel.

Coming soon, users will be able to leverage a new “Send to Navigator” feature, enabling them to research and plan their trips on MapQuest.com and send locations from the site to MapQuest Navigator. “We believe that making more local content available for the consumer through mobile navigation will increase the use of these services in day-to-day life activities,” said David Singer, Vice President and General Manager of Telmap Inc. “In partnership with MapQuest, our goal is to enhance consumer satisfaction with an application that offers much more than navigation.” MapQuest Navigator 5.0 is based on the next generation technology Mobile Optimized Navigation Data, (”MOND”) from Telmap, a world-leading provider of mobile mapping and navigation solutions. MOND enables users to be re-routed in the event of a missed turn without the need to contact the mapping server when the user is located within the downloaded route corridor, resulting in more rapid and reliable re-routing. More information, including a list of compatible mobile devices and supporting carriers, is available at http://navigator.mapquest.com . About Telmap Telmap is a developer of award-winning, location-based mobile mapping and navigation solutions; its server-based technology offers enhanced navigation experience, comprehensive global geographic coverage, premium content, traffic information and traffic-aware routing, and exclusive cross-platform support for Java, BREW, BlackBerry Windows Mobile and Symbian devices. The company’s flagship product, Telmap Navigator, is the most widely deployed navigation service with implementations by leading wireless operators and handset manufacturers around the world, including Vodafone (D2, UK and ES), Vodacom, Boost Mobile and IUSACELL. For more information, visit www.telmap.com . About MapQuest, Inc. MapQuest offers Internet, wireless and business solutions that help people find places. MapQuest.com is one of the most recognized and trusted brands on the Internet, and offers the leading consumer Web site for maps and directions, serving more than 50 million users in September 2007, according to comScore Media Metrix. MapQuest, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AOL LLC, is based in Denver, Colorado. About AOL AOL is a global Web services company that operates some of the most popular Web destinations, offers a comprehensive suite of free software and services, runs one of the largest Internet access businesses in the U.S., and provides a full set of advertising solutions. A majority-owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc., AOL LLC and its subsidiaries have operations in the U.S., Europe, Canada and Asia. Learn more at AOL.com. [Via: Mobile Burn ] ---Related Articles at IntoMobile:AAA Mobile bundles GPS navigation with more location-based servicesMapquest To Offer Free Services For MobilesCingular Unveils PDA-Based Wireless GPS Navigation System With 3D Moving MapsU-Turn concept phoneALK's CoPilot Live gives Nokia N95 some built-in GPS maps

Mobiles reviews - turn

Nokia files patent for side-sliding mobile phone with QWERTY keyboard

MapQuest announces turn-by-turn navigation for mobile phones