The company itself announced some impressive numbers at their event today: between 2009 and 2011, their revenue grew from $12.5 million to $35 million. A portion of that came from Android users who either don’t have or don’t want Google’s solution, perhaps helped along by feature additions like voice control, live traffic, multiple route options and a database of locations in the US and abroad. Currently the “Generic” app is sitting at somewhere between one and five million downloads.

Elsewhere there are exciting things happening with TeleNav’s Scout app, but unfortunately this premium service still isn’t available for Android. Company representatives didn’t say when or if the more roboust navigation suite (including integration with some in-dash units) would be coming to Android, but we live in hope. For now it remains one of the better non-Google alternatives out there.

TeleNav launched Scout.Me for iOS earlier in the year, and detailed their HTML 5 services back in December, but are going to take things to an entirely new level in the coming months. What they’ve designed is the worlds first web-based HTML 5 powered navigation system that can easily be accessed and used by developers of both web sites, and smartphone apps. Using a single line of code a developer for a shopping app for Android can add TeleNav’s renowned turn-by-turn and voice-guided navigation to their application.

Instead of users having to leave their current application and open a navigation app, or Google Maps, or something else to consume battery instead Scout for Apps by TeleNav will be integrated right into the application. Instead of leaving the app you just get a web-based popup for navigation or directions, and it closes once you’re done — leaving the end user in the exact same place and application as before they started.

Not only is that easy, fast, convenient, and will help save battery but this will be completely free for the end users. Developers can now integrate free directions and navigation options into their applications to make them better than the competition, and offer more features. This is ideal for social, travel and shopping apps, or any other app or website that includes points of interest, places or addresses.

If you are a developer and want to add something this awesome to your application or website you’ll want to look into Scout.Me and Scout for Apps by TeleNav. I can’t wait to see this feature get integrated into Android games and applications. We can expect to see it arrive later this year and developers can learn more at developer.telenav.com and get started today.

TeleNav’s new HTML 5 browser-based system will allow anyone to use their services. Developers will be able to add one simple line of code into their Android app or website to offer customers and users free turn-by-turn navigation, which will then be available to anyone who has a smartphone or tablet. This same feature will be available for websites. Simply add the code to your site and users can instantly get turn-by-turn navigation without leaving your site.

This is an enormous amount of added value for any mobile, location-based website or app focused on travel, shopping, local search, deals and more. 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.”

This could potentially take navigation to a completely new level. No more need for an additional application to launch or download for directions, taking up device resources and battery life — everything will be in the browser and quickly closed with a single click. TeleNav has told us users will not be required to be a TeleNav customer and everything will be completely free (for the end user). This creates an awesome opportunity for developers to make directions and more extremely easy — adding value to their site or application.

TeleNav HTML 5 web-based navigation is currently being opened to developers for testing and will be available early next year. Developers can get started right here.

TeleNav GPS Navigator 7.1 will bring many new changes and one of the biggest is the new feature and homescreen called “My Dashboard,” for quick and easy access to what on-the-go people need every single day. It will feature real-time traffic overlays with dedicated home or work buttons for easy and quick toggling, as well as give full drive times based on live traffic. TeleNav has also developed three new Android homescreen widgets for the 7.1 update, and drivers now have the option to use fun, custom car icons such as a sports car, hot rod, tank, space ship, motorcycle and more. I think I’ll take the Tank icon please.

We also have local voice search, stay safe and keep your hands on the wheel while using your voice to search over 22 million places and even get user-generated ratings and reviews to quickly decide where to go. You can use voice search to get up-to-date gas prices and even have TeleNav re-route you around a traffic jam, some of these updates sure sound great right? With improved maps and rendering the new version 7.1 should be faster and better than ever. Here is a live demo of the latest from TeleNav.

Here is a list of some key features we can expect to see coming shortly from the folks at TeleNav.

- Multi Route: Recommends up to three routes to your destination with distance and estimated drive times based on traffic conditions
- Favorite and Recent Destinations: Drive to your favorite and recent destinations more quickly and easily with one-touch access on My Dashboard
- Daily Commute: Current drive times based on live traffic right on the home screen
- Live Traffic: Save time with live traffic updates that automatically reroutes you around traffic jams or road congestion
- Local Search: Search 22 million Places and get user-generated ratings and reviews to quickly decide where to go
- Local Reviews: Rate and review your favorite Place all from your phone
- Gas Prices: Search up-to-date gas prices by location and price to save money
- Voice Search: Stay safe and keep your hands on the wheel with voice-activated commands
- Local Weather: Get real-time weather and seven day forecasts for your current location
- Voice Guidance: Clear, easy-to-understand driving directions spoken by a real human voice

We can expect to see the latest version of TeleNav GPS Navigator 7.1 coming shortly and will launch pre-installed and be offered free on many Android devices, with optional premium features such as lane assist, speed trap, red light camera, speed limit notification and commute reports available for an additional $4.99 per month. For more details and to give TeleNav a run head down to the Android Market and give it a try by clicking here.

This update will improve your Waypoint app in the following ways: multi-routs will be added, speech recognition will be improved, and Quick Search will be available to you. The screenshots you see above are all from this update. You’ll notice some big beautiful buttons, easy to read routes, weather updates, and the microphone which shall from this point out be listening to you all the better.

To grab this update, you’ll have to head out to Telenav section of the Android Market and update your app. It’s that simple. Telenav has several applications in the market that you might want to take a look at, including the one you’ll want to update. Last time we spoke about this version of Telenav, by the way, was back this January. Should be out to everyone by now, correct? Hopefully to everyone soon.

This phone has dual 3.5-inch WVGA displays with a pivot hinge that allows them four modes of view: single-screen mode, simul-task mode (two different apps running at the same time, one per screen,) optimized mode (such as a keyboard on one half and email on the other, and tablet mode, which of course gives you what they’re calling a 4.7-inch diagonal 800 x 960 pixel screen. But there’s a big line in the middle!

As for the everyday specifications, there’s a 5-megapixel camera on the back that can record with 720p HD video camcorder and a single flash, Android 2.2 Froyo inside, and a mobile hotspot with up to 5 connections to devices for some sweet 3G data speeds. It’s got a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, Bluetooth 2.1, Telenav GPS, Flash 10.1, and an extra battery included – so that you don’t have to go out and purchase a big fat battery to power this double dose of display.

First, here’s the video of TeleNav working on the ATRIX. If you’d like more info on how to update your phone to the newest version of AT&T Navigator, head over to the original TeleNav Blog Post.

Then, down to business. Do the following and you are INSTANTLY entered:

1. Go to TeleNav’s Facebook Page and click the LIKE button.
2. Go to Android Community Official on Facebook and click the LIKE button.
3. TWEET the following: I wanna win the @androids #telenavcontest http://tinyurl.com/4jmdacs !

*If you already follow and “like” us, we love you! No need to double-hit!
*Winners chosen by random pick out of our magic hat.
*One entry per person.
*Android Community reserves the right to refuse any entry or winner for any reason whatsoever, not limited to items such as the entry being submitted by someone who isn’t eligible because of in-family connections.
*Following devices compatible with TeleNav: http://www.telenav.com/products/tn/devices/ *NOTE: Verizon is not eligible for this contest, sorry!

Now get out there and start entering! Tell all your friends! Get TeleNav and freak out because it’s super amazing and helps you get around!

Speech Recognition is here and expanded, working at a tap from the home page and including many commands such as “How’s the weather?” or “How’s traffic?” We’re hoping it also recognizes “how’s about a milkshake?” Map Overlays are sort of what I just spoke about above with the multiple route suggestions, only there’s one more thing – each of these overlays has information available at a tap. Information like traffic flow, time to get a place, and the locations of traffic cameras. Expanded Points of Interest now include more than 22 million US business locations including airports, historical landmarks, businesses, and basically everywhere else you can dream of.

Have yourself a look-see at a demo here:

And see an overview of TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 here:

And have yourself a look at a gallery of screenshots here! Then if you’re in the mood for reading, grab a bowl of popcorn and head down below the gallery for the full press release!

TeleNav Enhances Driving Experience with New Version of TeleNav GPS Navigator™
Expanded Speech Recognition, Quick Search, and Multiple Route Suggestions features make it easier and faster to find and navigate to destinations

Sunnyvale, Calif. – Jan. 14, 2011 – TeleNav, Inc. (NASDAQ: TNAV), one of the largest global wireless location-based services providers with more than 18 million paying subscribers, today launched TeleNav GPS Navigator version 6.2 for select Android devices. The latest version of TeleNav GPS Navigator is designed to deliver a faster and more reliable way to navigate, search, and view maps on a mobile device. TeleNav has added new features such as expanded Speech Recognition, Quick Search, Multiple Route Suggestions, enhanced local search content with more listings, and overall improved application speed.

“With this release, we’ve made Navigator easier and faster to use, and also added new capabilities that allow the user to personalize their navigation experience,” said Sal Dhanani, co-founder and vice president of products for TeleNav. “We’re confident that when our users try this version, they’ll immediately benefit from the enhancements we’ve made and enjoy the faster, simpler, more personalized experience.”

A Personalized Experience: Multiple Route Suggestions and Commute Alerts
TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 now offers Multiple Route Suggestions and allows users to choose which route they prefer to take. Once a destination is entered, users are presented with up to three route suggestions overlaid on a map with route distance and estimated drive times. Users can review information for each route and select the option that best fits their personal driving needs.

TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 also includes a new user interface for the existing Commute Alert feature, making it easier for users to set and receive automatic alerts at a pre-selected time to show current traffic conditions along their daily commute. Users can choose to have these alerts sent via e-mail, SMS, or within the TeleNav GPS Navigator application to receive their personal daily commute information before hitting the road.

Search Made Simple
TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 includes Quick Search, a new feature designed to make finding local places quick and easy. Located on the application’s home page, users can simply touch the Quick Search box and type an address, landmark, category (i.e. Italian Food), or a business name. TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 uses predictive search technology to suggest results as the user types their desired location. Quick Search eliminates the need to navigate menus in order to find and drive to a location.

TeleNav has included an expanded Speech Recognition feature, allowing users to press a single button on the home page and speak a command. In addition to the Speech Recognition commands available in previous versions of TeleNav GPS Navigator used for finding addresses (“1130 Kifer Road”) or businesses (“Find gas stations”), TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 provides voice access to more information, for questions such as “How’s the weather” or “How’s traffic.”

TeleNav has also made its local search functionality easier, faster and more comprehensive, adding millions of new Points of Interest (POIs) to its search database, giving TeleNav users access to more than 22 million U.S. business locations, historical landmarks, airports and more.

“There’s nothing more frustrating when using a GPS product than to search for a location and not get a result. If a user can’t find the destination they’re looking for, the quality of the navigation features doesn’t matter,” said Dhanani. “We’ve put a lot of effort into ensuring that our users are able to find the destinations they’re searching for.”

Additional Features and Enhancements
In addition to multiple route options and search enhancements, TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 includes enhanced map performance and design, allowing for faster panning and page refreshes when users view the map screen within the application. The map view also includes one-click options to layer information on the map screen, such as traffic flow information and the locations of traffic cameras.

TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 also features a new POI search screen interface designed to make searching for business categories more simple. When viewing the POI category page, users are presented with an easy to read view of popular business categories and can access those listings with one-click.

Availability

TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 is available immediately on the Android Marketplace to AT&T customers (as AT&T Navigator 2.2) using the Samsung Captivate™, HTC Aria, Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X10, or Motorola BACKFLIP™ devices running Android OS version 2.1 or above. The application will be available soon on additional Android devices through other wireless carriers.

Images of TeleNav GPS Navigator 6.2 are available at http://www.flickr.com/photos/23382466@N03/sets/72157625684926753/ and a demonstration video of new features is available at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NocouhAMzA.

About TeleNav, Inc.
TeleNav, Inc. is a leading provider of consumer location-based services (LBS), enterprise LBS and automotive LBS with more than 18 million paying subscribers as of September 30, 2010. TeleNav’s solutions provide consumers, wireless service providers, enterprises and automakers with location-specific, real-time, personalized services such as GPS navigation, local search, mobile advertising, mobile commerce, location tracking and workflow automation. TeleNav’s technology is available across more than 500 types of mobile phones, all major mobile phone operating systems and a broad range of wireless network protocols. TeleNav’s service providers and partners include AT&T, Bell Mobility, Boost Mobile, China Mobile, Cincinnati Bell, Ford Motor Company, NII Holdings, Rogers, Sprint Nextel, Telcel, T-Mobile UK, T-Mobile USA, U.S. Cellular, Verizon Wireless and Vivo Brazil.

For more information on TeleNav, please visit www.telenav.com. Follow TeleNav on Twitter at www.twitter.com/telenav or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/telenav.
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Copyright 2011 TeleNav, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

“TeleNav,” the TeleNav logo, and “telenav.com” are registered and unregistered trademarks and/or service marks of TeleNav, Inc., unless otherwise noted, all other trademarks, service marks, and logos used in this press release are the trademarks, service marks or logos of their respective owners.

If you normally drive around using the TeleNav on your Android smartphone, then this one might be for you. Because who doesn’t get tired of the same voice giving you GPS directions every single time. That’s why TeleNav has come to the rescue with Santa’s Voice, to give you directions. But you have to hurry, you can only download it throughout the month of December. TeleNav will donate ALL proceeds to Toys for Tots. So now you can get Santa to help guide you around this season and help children in need at the same time.

To download via your phone you just launch TeleNav GPS Navigator and select “Share and More”, then select “Preferences”, go to “Navigation Audio” and select “Guide Tones”, there you need to select “Santa Claus” and voila! You ready to go. Or you can also visit TeleNav’s website to download. Go to TeleNav.com and select “My TeleNav” on the top right (you’ll need your PIN number to login), go to “My Settings”, select “Device Settings” and then choose “Santa Claus”.

The Santa Clause voice is only compatible with TeleNav GPS Navigator v. 5.5 and 5.8. So, if you need to find out which phones support these versions, click here.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypjH1ExWSRQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

The ArcherMind SatNav was demoed at the Embedded Technology tradeshow in Japan, and quickly caught the attention of many. Who wouldn’t like to have an Android on the dash of his/her car, right? Unfortunately, it appears there’s no plans to release this gadget in America any time soon.

This device runs on a Marvell processor, it also has a hard drive and SD slot, is capable of playing your music, and it can even send SMS messages. The Android SatNav will be able to provide carmakers an advanced system for next generation car infotainment device, according to ArcherMind. And apparently, one unnamed Chinese auto maker is considering this device to be available in Q1 2010 in their cars.

[Via SlashGear]

While the G1 comes preloaded with Google Maps, that app certainly falls short if you’re looking for the full PND experience on your phone.  Street View and directions are useful, but they’re no substitute for spoken instructions and dynamically-tracking maps.

The GPS Navigator displays directions in full color 2D and 3D maps with voice and on-screen turn-by turn directions in both landscape and portrait orientations.  I decided to literally take the program on a test-drive.  The database has a large, easy to search listing of businesses, restaurants, gas stations (which you can sort by price), shopping, entertainment, lodging, hospitals, services, etc.  You can do your search by entering a specific address, by voice or by text.  I found the voice recognition to be a bit buggy, so I opted to use the text entry method.

I decided to do a search for local restaurants.  It immediately brought up a list of nearby restaurants, indicating their distance from my current position and rating.  Once I chose one, I had the option to call the restaurant, rate it, drive to it, map it or save it to favorites.  I chose to drive to it and within a matter of seconds I had on screen directions to get me where I was going.  I found the GPS to be accurate to within about thirty to forty feet.  At one point, I purposefully made a wrong turn, and the program quickly recalculated my route for me.

One of my favorite aspects is the ability to go into the “My Stuff” file and create commute alerts.  You can enter specific routes, indicate the days and times during which you travel them and it will send you a traffic alert via email to warn you of congestion.  If you are already in route, and a traffic situation occurs, you will receive both a verbal and on-screen notification, with an option to find another route.

TeleNav offers current weather conditions and a five-day forecast for your present location, or any other location that you choose.  Another nice feature is the ability to sync your phone with your online account at www.telenav.com.  There you can add contacts, addresses and even spots to share with friends.  You can also pre-plan your trip online and then send it to your phone, bypassing the on-device text or voice entry altogether.  There are additional plug-ins available for download, including a TeleNav button with which you can highlight an address on the web, click the button and have it send that address to your phone.

Overall, I found the program to be very responsive, accurate and useful.  It is one that I can see myself using frequently, being a commuter in a large city, as well as a frequent traveler.  It can provide users with traffic information, maps, where to dine and lodge, movies, weather reports, and more all in one package with a very friendly user interface.

TeleNav is available for a free 30-day trial at http://www.telenav.com/gps-navigator/t-mobile-g1-phone.  After the trial period is over, you can continue the service for a subscription fee of $9.99 per month.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36V_e0U3x-A[/youtube]