HP to launch GPS on smartphones

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Hewlett- Packard following the recent launch of its fourth smartphone device, iPAQ 512 Voice Messenger, for the India market, is now planning to launch Global Positioning System (GPS) service embedded on the mobile phone.

Speaking to CyberMedia News Ashish Gupta, product manager- handhelds, personal systems group, HP said that they are working on the modalities of the system and are planning to launch the service in the next three weeks time. “We are working with some of the mapping partners to launch this service. As a matter of business formalities we cannot divulge the name of the partner,” Gupta said.

When asked if the notebook manufacturer is shifting its focus towards mobile devices, Rajiv Grover, director consumer product, said that they see a huge potential in the handheld device segment. “We are not shifting our focus. We foresee huge growth potential in this segment,” he said.

“We are working on the modalities if the GPS system could be embedded in the device or to be retrieved from a centralised server using GPRS. This service will be available in Delhi and Bangalore in the next three weeks. The GPS navigation system will allow mobile subscribers to view the map of the location they are situated,” Gupta added

It may be recalled that state PSU Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) was planning to launch Location Based Services (LBS) for its subscribers, which is yet in the pipeline.

With the Indian industry bullish on the growth of the smartphones market, the company is aiming to bring in more embedded features on the iPAQ handheld devices.