TeleNav announces free HTML5-based GPS nav service

TeleNav is a large provider of GPS navigation applications for smartphones and in-car infotainment systems. Whether it's the AT&T Navigator app or Ford vehicles, TeleNav is behind the scenes. Today the company announced the upcoming availability of an HTML5-based navigation service that works on just about any smartphone platform -- including iOS5 -- and can be built into apps through an API.

The service is browser-based and provides voice-guided turn-by-turn GPS navigation services, full-color moving maps, and automatic rerouting. TeleNav says that the service will be free for both consumers and developers when it goes live in early 2012.

TeleNav wants to partner with mobile developers, stating that with one line of code, devs can add full turn-by-turn navigation to mobile websites and apps with local content. Sal Dhanani, co-founder and vice president of products for TeleNav said that, "With one line of code, you can give your customers one-click access to premium, voice-guided turn-by-turn directions to any location, including hotels, restaurants, merchants or deal locations. Customers never need to leave your app."

The company wants to partner with developers to test the service, and mobile website and app developers can apply for early access at www.telenav.com/developer/HTML5.