I just upgraded my Blackberry 8800's TeleNav GPS software to v5.1.0.29 (an update from the the preinstalled v4.7), which was just recently released by TeleNav. It was really darn good before and  it's even better now. Included in this release is the until-now-missing-on-the-at&t-network feature of real-time traffic routing updates (dubbed "TeleNav Traffic alerts"). This added capability uses available traffic congestion and hazard feeds to update your route to the quickest available in real-time. In addition, the new version includes improved business listings in the search options and the ability to click on addresses right in the calendar and address book contacts, launching the GPS service automatically. That's something I can easily be grateful for, what with all those hotel addresses embedded in my Outlooks calendar for my travel days.

The UI is also greatly improved. The menus are much shinier and there's now a signal strength meter in the GPS software, a small but welcome addition. Note that when you install and run the first time you'll need to allow the software to set up several hardware and network access permissions, and you'll need to provide your TeleNav account password (which you used the first time you set up) as well. It appears I lost all my favorites in the upgrade process, so just be aware that something like that might happen to you as well. My recent locations list was still up to date. I had to change my map view from overhead back to the 3D birds-eye view as well. None of these things were a big deal for me.

If you have the Blackberry 8800 from at&t and use the TeleNav service, it's a free update for you. Just browse to http://ota.telenav.com/ota/at with your 8800 and download the new version. Note that the update requires a fairly long reboot after it's installed.

From the press release:

*TeleNav Traffic alerts users through voice and on-screen prompts to traffic slowdowns and incidents along their programmed travel route. With just one click, customers can choose an alternative route or can remain on the original course. TeleNav Traffic calculates and provides an ongoing estimated time of arrival based on the customer’s current route and the latest traffic information. Subscribers can also view traffic information on a map and see details of surrounding traffic situations. *

TeleNav Traffic is a feature of the latest version of TeleNav GPS Navigator™ and is offered as a free feature upgrade for TeleNav GPS Navigator subscribers. TeleNav GPS Navigator v5.1 also includes enhanced business listings, which identify more retailers and office parks. The TeleNav GPS Navigator now allows BlackBerry users to click addresses inside calendar invitations or contact lists for real-time navigation to that location.

Thanks to at&t and TeleNav for making this update happen. My $9.95 a month is going even further now. I have to say, always up to date maps, a small single device and turn-by turn instructions with Traffic is a pretty great deal. Even after say 24 months of using this service you would not have paid as much as you would to buy a GPS unit, and maps on a stand-along unit would be out of date before too long. I'm convinced.Now I just need to find a way to record video and/or make screenshots from the Blackberry 8800 screen so I can illustrate this stuff...