Samsung intros phone with DMB-based mapping
updated 08:15 am EST, Thu December 21, 2006
Samsung B5800 With Mapping
Samsung early today revised its previously revealed B5800 slider phone. Having already established mobile TV as a core feature, the company has revealed that the new phone can use its DMB broadcast reception for navigation as well. The B5800 is the first phone to support the Transport Protocol Experts Group's (TPEG) live mapping service, which provides updates to routing and traffic conditions through a digital TV channel.
The terrestrial nature of the broadcast gives TPEG advantages over the satellite-based GPS, Samsung says: since there is no need for a preloaded map or a central server, both the map and traffic conditions can be updated every five minutes. This opens up the possibilty of quickly comparing different routes as well as having a dynamic route that changes with road congestion. Samsung reiterates that the B5800 is ready this month in Korea for $600 through KTF.
