Tele Atlas maps and content have been chosen to power TeleNav Shotgun, the company’s newly announced first two-way, Internet-connected GPS personal navigation device (PND).

 

Designed to help users navigate with ease in unfamiliar environments, TeleNav (News - Alert) Shotgun leverages the wireless network to provide real-time, connected features for business travelers.

 

Available immediately via TeleNav’s Web site, the latest PND device is preloaded with Tele Atlas (News - Alert) maps of the United States as well as Puerto Rico, and Canada. Tele Atlas has also been contracted to provide content for the TeleNav Shotgun business directory, said the company’s officials.

 

“Using TeleNav Connected Service, TeleNav Shotgun users will not have to worry about downloading new maps or business listings,” said Sal Dhanani, co-founder and senior director of marketing for TeleNav. With it, he said, business travelers can confidently drive in new cities thanks to the up-to-date maps and POIs from Tele Atlas.

 

Customers have more connected options via wireless GPS navigation services and personal navigation devices, explained Jude McColgan, vice president of consumer markets, Tele Atlas. A combination of Tele Atlas’ ability to deliver the most up to date maps and relevant content with TeleNav’s innovative products will deliver a powerful connected navigation experience for the drivers.

 

TeleNav is already leveraging Tele Atlas digital maps and content for its products and applications. TeleNav GPS Navigator applications featuring Tele Atlas maps are currently available for mobile devices users through multiple wireless carriers in the U.S.

 

Although portable navigation devices (PND) are quite popular, they are soon going to be obsolete according to experts. This should not scare navigation device makers such as Garmin and TomTom who are forecasted to sustain for several more years if they innovate to avoid "dramatic slowdown" in PND sales.

 

Jeff Evanson, an analyst at Dougherty & Co. attributes this slowdown to a saturated market, lack of innovation and competition for consumer spending. More details on the future of PND devices can be read here.