Verizon Wireless, builder and
operator of the nation’s most reliable wireless network, announced today
that VZ Navigator^SM (Version 4) is now available on select consumer
phones.  First announced during CTIA WIRELESS 2008, the newest version of
VZ Navigator allows customers in 75 cities from coast to coast to access
information about traffic incidents on major roadways, obtain traffic updates
and find detours around traffic congestion and accidents.  More cities are
expected to be added in the coming year.  In addition, the new version of
VZ Navigator offers a 3D perspective view of maps, a movie and events finder,
weather reports and forecasts, and gas prices at nearby gas stations.

 

Verizon Wireless’ VZ Navigator service is a location-based
service (LBS) application that utilizes location-based technology and real-time
and historical information feeds.  The new version of VZ Navigator offers
customers the following features:

• Traffic Integration –
  Customers in 75 cities can access routes that are calculated using both
  historical and real-time reported traffic information.  Historical
  information allows customers to see on average whether the traffic is
  impacted by traffic lights, heavy traffic or school zones.  Incident
  and flow information tells customers how traffic is flowing and includes
  details about reported accidents, disabled vehicles and congestion. 
  VZ Navigator’s historical data covers over 750,000 miles of roads in
  48 states.  The traffic tracking center continually monitors conditions
  along the customers’ routes, sending proactive alerts to drivers
  about conditions ahead of them on their chosen routes.  Detour
  options allow users to compare estimated times of arrival and conditions
  before selecting a new route. 
• Local Movies and Events –
  Customers can now search for show times, critics’ ratings and other
  details for movies, concerts, plays, sporting events, and other social
  events based on the physical location of their phones.
• 3D Perspective View –
  Enhances navigation by displaying maps from angles customers would see
  through car windshields, making it easier to visualize turn-by-turn
  directions.
• Gas Finder – Provides
  customers with information on the location of gas stations close to their
  physical locations and even provides gas prices as reported by many gas
  stations in the area.  Once a customer selects a station, VZ
  Navigator can also provide turn-by-turn directions to the selected gas
  station. 
• Weather – Provides
  current weather conditions and forecasts based on the physical location of
  the customer’s phone without manually inputting an address.

 

Lee Daniels, vice president of consumer product development
for Verizon Wireless, said, “With the new features of VZ Navigator,
Verizon Wireless customers now have a powerful navigation device that not only
gives them directions but also provides the latest traffic information and
more.  The expanded services on VZ Navigator are another example of how we
provide our customers with a great value for their wireless dollar – on
the most reliable wireless network in the country.”

 

Pricing and Availability

VZ Navigator (Version 4) is available today for $9.99 for
unlimited monthly access or $2.99 for one-day use on select Get It Now^®-enabled
phones in the Get Going section under Travel & Guides or Featured
Apps.  Airtime or megabyte charges and specific terms of use apply when
browsing, downloading and using the application.  Traffic integration is
only available in certain areas. 

 

Verizon Wireless customers who currently have a subscription
to VZ Navigator can upgrade on select phones by simply selecting Options from
the main screen of VZ Navigator then selecting Check for Updates.  At
launch, the following phones are able to access VZ Navigator (Version 4):
G’zOne Type-V and G’zOne Type-S; Kyocera K323; The V™,
enVâ„¢, enV2TM, Chocolate, Venusâ„¢, and Voyagerâ„¢ by LG, LG
VX5300, LG VX5400, LG VX8300, LG VX8350, LG VX8600, LG VX8700, and LG VX9400;
Nokia 6205 and Nokia 2605; MOTOKRZRâ„¢ K1m, MOTORAZRâ„¢ maxx Ve,
MOTORAZR2 V9m, MOTORAZRâ„¢ V3c, MOTORAZRTM V3m, MOTOSLVR L7c, MOTOâ„¢
Z6c world edition, and Motorola W385; and Aliasâ„¢ by Samsung, Verizon
Wireless Juke by Samsung, Samsung SCH-a930, Samsung SCH-a990, Samsung SCH-u410,
Samsung SCH-u540, and Samsung SCH-u620.   

 

For more information on VZ Navigator, visit www.verizonwireless.com/vznavigator [1]. 
For more information about Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a
Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com [2].