Nokia touts quicker GPS for mobiles

Nokia has created a GPS system that will pinpoint a phone user's position more quickly.

Assisted GPS works with Nokia Maps on the company's devices that have built in GPS. 

The service improves the 'time to first fix' in most geographical locations worldwide and reduces fix times overall, according to Nokia.

"By decreasing the time wasted while you wait for a first fix, we are increasing the enjoyment that Nokia Maps provides," said Ralph Eric Kunz, vice president of multimedia experiences at Nokia.

"Consumers now have the comfort of quick fix times which create a better navigation experience when using Nokia Maps."

Nokia N95 owners can add the free service to their smartphone by using the Nokia Software Updater to get the latest firmware. However, users must still pay their standard data rate to connect to the service. 

Elsewhere, LocatioNet Systems has launched a free GPS route planning and mapping service funded by advertising and sponsorship. 

The amAze service offers free mobile mapping, navigation and local searches on regular Java-enabled mobile phones in the UK.

The company said that the service has been tailored to the UK market following a successful worldwide beta test in February 2007.

A voice-guided sat-nav feature can also be used on devices with built-in GPS or using external Bluetooth GPS add-ons.

Ofer Tziperman, president of LocatioNet, claimed that the free service would be welcomed by consumers paying a monthly fee of up to £7 for similar products.

"It only requires a simple one-time software download to the mobile phone, while revenue for the service is generated via unobtrusive sponsors and advertisers," he said.

Tziperman added that the advertisements would be 'intelligently' integrated into the application, including location sensitive ads based on the user's position.