Telus launched yesterday 2 location services, Telus Navigator and Kid Find. These 2 technologies use GPS, and are avalaible in most major towns in Québec.
Telus Navigator allows a subscriber to get directions with their mobile phone, which will then provide real-time audio and visual cues. Users can also plan their route ahead, with 1.5 millions places in the database.
Kid Find allows family members to track kids. They will get to know the location of a handset, from another mobile phone or through the Telus website. For privacy concerns, the “kid” is notified each time a user requests the handset’s location, and the service can also be turned off easily.
I have to say though I didn’t test the services. As a subscriber to Telus, I have mixed feelings with the mobile operator. But those 2 additional services are innovative and a very good move. The mobile provider announced also last friday that they would invest $100 million to upgrade their EVDO network in BC, Ontario and Québec. Compare that to Bell who is outsourcing their customer support and whose executives spent their time negotiating with investors during the last 2 months.
Comments
Kleinman June 12, 2007
This looks like a mobile map interface over the information provided by the embbeded GPS in the phone. It is very exciting to see mobile operators start to put their foot in the water a but and explore this domain.
Much is left to be seen however.
Heri June 13, 2007
i only wish they opened their mobile phones to outside developers. the answer is just so simple….
Technology news in June | Montreal Tech Watch July 02, 2007
[...] Telus introduces extended local services in Québec (June 6th) [...]