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Navigon’s MobileNavigator app for the iPhone has been out for a while now, however, today marks the first time it will be updated.  Navigon just received confirmation from Apple that their update will be available in the app store and all pre-existing customers can download it for free.  While it isn’t a groundbreaking update, it does allow for users to call the POI number and with the route planning upgrade, users can find multiple ways to different destinations.

For route planning, Navigon is “enabling users to plan a route with different destinations ahead of time.”  This way, they would probably save quite a bit of time.  The other update is quite interesting and will probably help a lot of folks who take advantage of MobileNavigator’s database of POIs.  Let’s say you are looking up how to get to a nearby restaurant in another town.  Rather than having to look up their number in the phonebook or online, the POI database will display the number and you can call it right away by simply pressing it.  Also, all numbers can be saved as a contact for future use.  For added convenience, the app only displays POIs in map view they think is needed.  Lastly, the update makes sure when playing music, the MobileNavigator takes precedence in volume. 

Now, if you already own this app, simply go to the App Store to download the update.  If you look to purchase this app, the App Store will already contain the update so you do not need to worry about updating after buying the app for your first time.  Normally, it costs $99.99, but from now to until August 31, Navigon will have the app on sale for $69.99.

Full Press Release below.

NAVIGON Provides Free Update for its iPhone Navigation App

Update adds new features such as route planning and a function that allows to directly call points of interest (POIs)

Hamburg/Germany, August 14, 2009 — NAVIGON AG, the leading innovator in the navigation market, today announced the availability of a free update for its North American version of the MobileNavigator for the iPhone.

The free update adds a couple of new features and enhancements to the MobileNavigator. NAVIGON’s route planning function known from the companies PND line enables users to plan a route with different destinations ahead of time. Taking advantage of the iPhone’s own functionalities, a call POI function allows to directly call the number of a POI such as a restaurant or hotel by simply clicking on the number.  It is even possible to save the number to the user’s contacts. Furthermore, the update provides an optimized volume control when navigating and using the integrated iPod function of the iPhone at the same time. It also allows to decide which POIs should be displayed in the map view.

All current users of the NAVIGON MobileNavigator will get notified by the App Store and can download the update for free. New customers who buy the software in the iPhone App Store will from now on automatically receive an updated version. “NAVIGON is committed to providing the best navigation solution for the iPhone and is constantly working on new features,” said Gerhard Mayr, Vice President World-Wide Mobile Phone & New Markets of NAVIGON AG. “Our customers can expect a lot more functions to come, and spoken street names (text-to-speech) is one of the next additions that will follow soon. Of course we are also looking into offering a powerful real-time-traffic service.”

The MobileNavigator transforms any iPhone 3G, equipped with the new Apple OS 3.0 operating system, and any iPhone 3G S into a complete navigation device. The software includes many of NAVIGON’s hallmark navigation functions such as Reality View™ Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode.

The NAVIGON solution sells for $99.99 and is equipped with maps of North America from NAVTEQ®. It will be available for a promotional price of $69.99 until August 31.

For more information and FAQs, please visit: www.navigon.com/iphone. Images of the update can be found here: http://flickr.twi.bz/ab

You will also find NAVIGON on the following platforms:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/NAVIGON_.
YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/NAVIGONcom
Facebook: http://facebook.twi.bz/Ob

About NAVIGON:
NAVIGON AG is a world-leading manufacturer of navigation systems. With its own portable navigation systems, and thanks to its partnership with reputable consumer electronics manufacturers, NAVIGON stands for high-quality GPS navigation on pocket PCs, PNDs and mobile phones. NAVIGON also provides professional navigation solutions such as driver-assistance features for the automotive OEM market. NAVIGON was founded in 1991, and employs over 400 workers in locations in Asia, Europe and North America. – NAVIGON. And the world is yours.