Telenav launches 'Scout for Apps' browser based navigation service

Telenav is looking at changing the web app scenario with its new HTML5, browser based navigation service that offers voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions via mobile browser. The clickable link is capable of automatically launching the HTML-5 based mapping system, just like a navigation app. This all new Scout for Apps service is free and now available to developers. It lets them incorporate navigation functionality directly into existing webpages by just adding one line of code. Telenav has also integrated its browser-based navigation service on the Scout website to enable users to explore new places and events. On selecting an event or place, users can select ‘Navigate’ and then select ‘Phone’ or ‘Email’, depending upon where they want the service to send the link.

Browser based navigation service

Mobile apps featuring Scout for Apps are expected to hit markets soon. Avantar’s popular Yellow Pages app is said to be one of the first apps to feature Scout for apps.  Some other apps to include this service include AroundMe, Life360 and WedVit. For instance - AroundMe allows users to search for nearby restaurants, hotels, movie theaters and other businesses based on category and distance, Scout will now enable its users to navigate to any location they select.

“Because Scout for Apps is browser-based, we will be able to rapidly and consistently update the service moving forward,” said Sal Dhanani, co-founder and vice president of products for Telenav. “Further, these updates will roll out immediately to consumers, so developers know that their customers will continue to receive our most updated technology. We will continue to work with developers to add or update features and enhance usability based on feedback.”

Chris Hulls, CEO of Life360 said, “Scout for Apps means there’s one less thing for our customers to have to worry about when it’s time to pick their kids up – no more following a dot on a map, reading written directions, or cutting and pasting an address into a GPS device. Scout for Apps was so simple to add to our app and it offers so much value to our customers. If you have a location component to your app, I don’t know why you wouldn’t use it.”

Scout for Apps has been optimized for the iOS platform and the company plans to further optimize it on the Android platform, later this year.