Archive for September 30th, 2008

Launch Of In-car GPS Navigation & Maps For Pakistan

Published by Babar Bhatti on September 30, 2008 under GPS, Gadgets, ICT, Location Based Services, Value Added Services

naqshanuvi.pngI received this update through one of the technology mailing lists. A quick check on naqsha.net showed the google-powered interactive maps on naqsha website (map display did not work in firefox). There is limited capability for searching POIs (points of interest) as well. I tried KFC and Governor house in Lahore and it worked but the result display is so basic that it seems to be under construction. The quality of maps is decent and it covers a handful of major cities. Just don’t expect the overall experience to be comparable to google/yahoo but its a good start.

The Garmin navigation devices which are being sold with Pakistan maps preloaded are quite expensive, compared with their devices being sold in the US. Devices start at $400 and map only for $120. Anyway, at least its a start for GPS, maps and location based services. Please share your experience for this new service.

In-car GPS navigation is not available in Pakistan. Data Solutions (Pvt) Ltd in partnership with Tracking World (Pvt) Ltd have launched Garmin GPS units loaded with Pakistan map data. Currently only Garmin GPS units are available for purchase. The units range from in-car dash mounted devices to devices for motorbikes. There is also a unit which can be integrated with the vehicle’s DVD/entertainment unit and displays the navigational information on it. Existing Garmin users also have the option to buy the map for their specific unit. You may view the maps and GPS devices at naqsha.net.

The map has street level detail of major Pakistani cities and all major national highways. Streets are labeled and searchable for Islamabad, Lahore and some parts of Karachi. In addition there are close to 40,000 POIs such as fuel/CNG stations, banks, atms, hospitals, restaurants (categorised), hotels, shops, etc. Most POIs have address and phone number information available as well. Units equipped with FM transmitters and Bluetooth allow hands free dialing from the unit and are able to integrate with the vehicles’s audio system as well.