It’s another blow to the once high-flying portable navigation device (PND) market—a new $69 Nokia phone with free turn-by-turn directions was announced by T-Mobile today.
The candybar-style Nokia 5230 Nuron is due for release in the next few weeks. It has pre-loaded maps so it essentially doubles as a PND with a 3.2 inch touch screen. Billed as “a smartphone for the masses,” the Nuron is also Nokia’s first phone with direct access to apps and games from Nokia’s Ovi Store.
As a PND, the device includes Lonely Planet Guides for restaurant and other reviews. It also lets you check the weather and post your location on Facebook. And it can be used for pedestrian navigation. Preloaded maps are for the full North America but users can access maps to additional countries, said Nokia.
If you are going to compare pricing to a PND, the $69 Nuron requires a two-year voice and data plan contract says Brighthand.com
The Nuron also has a 2 megapixel camera. For more details see Nokia.
Source: Nokia and Brighthand
