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Navicore updates Symbian smart-phone GPS navigation pack

Navicore has launched the 2006 release of its eponymous GPS-fed route planning software for Symbian Series 60-based smart phones.

In addition to updated maps from TeleAtlas - the final versions were supplied just a few weeks ago, Navicore told us - Navicore Personal 2006 adds support for full seven-digit postcode searches, along with the ability to use addresses stored the phone's contacts database. It will now plan paths for pedestrians and cyclists as well as motorists.

Navicore also pitched the software's bundling of free traffic information updates and gratis speed camera location, all downloaded via GPRS, so users pay only for the download's airtime. The software can be set to grab the information periodically, or the download can be initiated manually - or not at all, if you don't want to pay for the transfer. The software can use the information to re-route you around hazards and jams.

As before, the software comes bundled with a sensitive SiRF III-based GPS receiver which connects to the host phone by Bluetooth. The country-specific maps and the route-planner app ship on a 256MB memory card. The individual country/region packages costs £200, or there's a full Western Europe box for £280. Upgrading from one to the other costs £170. Individual country map packs cost £61 on memory card or £54 on CD. The bundled memory card has around 106MB free for extra maps.

Software-only updates are free, Navicore said. A Symbian Series 80 is due for release shortly.

Navicore Personal 2006 is available now from Navicore's website and retailers like Tesco.com, The Link, Carphone Warehouse and O2. ®

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