Free GPS phones 'coming soon'

Gear news

13 December 2007 09:30

Those clever Swedes say they've designed new outdoors GPS software which can be added to any basic mobile phone.

Wayfinder Active was launched in Sweden this week. The basic package is free, and includes a compass and maps, as well as statistics of walking speed, distance and altitude. There’s also a handy feature that not only tells you your location, but allows you to text this information to a chosen friend or emergency service.

Of course, there is a catch. While you’ll get street maps and a world base map for free, it’ll cost you extra to load national and local outdoor maps. Plus, it may be a while before the software is launched here.

Wayfinder’s Marketing Director Dan Haneklint says, “Europe and North America will follow next year. The software is ready, but we need to reach agreements with mapping companies before we launch. The cost for Terrain maps is yet to be decided, depending on the contract and which vendor we use.”

Meanwhile, you can test out the software today (though using world street maps only) by visiting www.activeoutdoors.com