AA launches Smart TravelGuides for 3G mobiles

AA Smart TravelGuide, unveiled by the AA, delivers rich travel guide information designed to help tourists and travellers make the most of their trip.

AA Smart TravelGuide provides the user with detailed full-colour street mapping and a wealth of useful travel information compiled by the AA's travel experts. It includes "must see" sights, easy-to-follow walking tours, what to do, restaurants, entertainment, and places to stay, plus colour photos, and live phone and web links to featured sights. AA hotel and restaurant ratings are included to keep the traveller fully informed.

AA Smart TravelGuide comes pre-installed on a memory card for quick and simple insertion into a compatible mobile phone. Compatible phones include S60 smartphones from Nokia, Samsung, LG and Panasonic - such as Nokia's market-leading N-series handsets.

GPS-ready - via a Bluetooth GPS receiver or via handsets such as the Nokia N95 that include an integrated GPS receiver - AA Smart TravelGuide can be used to automatically locate the user's position on the map, navigate scenic walking routes, and even track pace and distance when jogging or cycling.

For the ultimate travel memento you can even create your own personal travel guide/diary by uploading your trip record and any photographs over-the-air to an online server. To enhance the Smart Travel Guide further, additional traveller information and photographs are available via internet download.

AA Smart TravelGuide is based on Augmentra's DataRanger mapping, navigation and information mobile technology platform. Using the same technical platform, ViewRanger, Augmentra's smartphone-based off-road sat-nav application for outdoor activity enthusiasts, was selected as Best Location-Aware Service & Application by Nokia in their S60 Global Challenge to find the best smartphone applications.

Craig Wareham, Director at Augmentra, said, "We are delighted to be working with the AA. This exciting project opens up new ways for travellers to benefit from the rich quality and large quantity of tourist and travel information held by the AA."

Simon Davies, General Manager, AA Publishing, commented "AA Publishing is very pleased to be moving into the realm of electronic publishing with the launch of Smart TravelGuide, and we believe Augmentra are the perfect partner to work with us on such an exciting new project".