Traffic Mapping For Your Mobile Phone

In late July, Google announced that it can be offering live traffic info to mobile phones in additional than thirty U.S. cities. Plans to produce the traffic feature to PCs are still in the works. The Google traffic feature will be released as an update to the free Google Maps for Mobile service, which has been obtainable for 18 months for download on the Google internet site. Google wouldn't disclose how several subscribers it has, however it says the number is growing rapidly.

The feature expands Google's mapping technology into an space where Microsoft Corp. and Yahoo already have a presence, but in numerous ways. Yahoo and Microsoft provide real-time traffic information on their Internet-based mapping services for PCs. Microsoft has chosen to maneuver into the mobile “house” by licensing traffic-monitoring technology for mobile devices to a Kirkland-based mostly startup, InRix Inc. Yahoo currently has no mobile traffic service. MapQuest, an AOL property, offers traffic reports over cell phones for $2.99 per month.

With typical bombast, Microsoft announced that when operable, the InRix mobile service can truly predict upcoming traffic issues – however currently the MSN mobile mapping technology provides no traffic info in any respect.


Within the cities where it works, the Google feature will show traffic conditions on most major highways - indicating green for clear roadways, yellow for medium congestion and red for prime congestion or stopped traffic. Google Maps will work on most Java-enabled phones offered by Cingular and Sprint and all color BlackBerry devices. The service does not currently work on phones from alternative major carriers such as Verizon or T-Mobile USA. Google Maps sends the information – obtained from an undisclosed source - each five minutes.

Although Google's free service does not determine traffic hazards or accidents, it can let drivers understand if there is a clogged road. Google additionally shows the expected drive time for a route when phone users look for driving directions. It's introduced a feature that lets users save their favorite locations and regularly used driving directions for future use.

The 3 search engines don't seem to be alone, however. In February, Rand McNally Traffic began giving a downloadable mobile application that delivers news of real-time traffic flow, accidents, weather conditions and road closures to 94 cities. Rand McNally Traffic is on the market on Sprint, Nextel, AT&T Wireless and different services for $three.99 a month.

Media large Clear Channel Communications' Total Traffic Network feeds content in 125 markets within the country to 15 services. One of them provides the data to subscribers with Sprint mobile phones for a $9.99 monthly subscription. That service is relatively new. In addition to climate and traffic information, the service conjointly provides data on gas station costs.

Cell phones are rapidly turning into GPS devices, with localized information as one more feature. It remains to be seen how many individuals can turn to their cellular phone screens for traffic news, one eye traveling and another on the phone. In some states and many local jurisdictions, it's already illegal to use a handheld cell phone whereas driving. Some of those jurisdictions allow hands free use, however that won’t help with a visible feature. It will be attention-grabbing to work out if this new functionality is limited by governmental concern over safe driving habits.