VZ Navigator updates to v5.1 with a whole new look and lots of new features

by Mac Jadalhack

1 February 2010 No Comment

Over the past few years or so, VZ Navigator by Verizon Wireless has been very consistent and boring if you ask me. This morning I was excited to get the word that Verizon went ahead and updated VZ Navigator to version 5.1. So I haven’t had a chance to play around with it much but I did notice Points of Interest menu get a whole lot better (also an awesome red icon instead of that ugly green). Traditionally I’d just use Garmin or Google Maps to locate lunch spots via Bold 9700, but since I downloaded this update on my Storm 2 9550, I said why not use VZ Navigator on it too. So looking for a local sub shop was easier than ever giving more specific information with store descriptions and map icons that were clearer than before. This indeed was part of the change log, so it definitely wasn’t in my head for this one. Any way, hit the jump for the full change log for VZ Navigator.

From the very start that you open up the application, you’ll be amazed. VZ Navigator has taken a full turn in becoming a very useful application other than just turn by turn direction. After using it, I kind of wish my AT&T Bold 9700 had its navigation similar. On the main screen as soon as you open, you’ll notice that the name of the town you are in (along with the nearest street name) displayed up top with local search results as well. The local results include weather, movie theaters with times, gas prices, events, and concerts. Here’s the full change log below:

Improved Customer Experience – No need to wait for the entire route to download before starting their voyage because data will now be streamed, causing display screens to populate more quickly
Enhanced Points of Interest – Access to premium places of interest with detailed descriptions, clearly branded by Map Icons
Traffic Crowd Sourcing – Opt-in to anonymously send real-time location and speed to the VZ Navigator traffic reporting service, allowing quicker notifications and improved accuracy for all VZ Navigator users
Alerts for Other Road Attributes – Graphic notifications for tunnels, U-turns, traffic circles and toll plazas
“Say it Mode” – Select BlackBerry® smartphones and Windows Mobile® handsets allow customers to verbally search for and update destinations

Have patience after downloading, as it will go through many and many “downloading data” stages upon opening it up for the very first time. If you’re like me, than you’ll really appreciate the new red colors rather than the ugly old school green.

Feel free to head over to Verizon’s VZ Navigator site for more information. If you are looking to update, and are having trouble downloading it using the update button with in the app (I had the same issue), then point your BlackBerry Browser to mobile.vzw.com or click here.

-by Mac Jadalhack