A joint project by Nokia and the University of California in Berkeley, dubbed Mobile Millenium, is set to launch Monday. The project will utilize a java application downloadable to GPS-enabled mobile phones to paint a picture of Bay Area traffic conditions. Much like the real-time traffic data relayed by connected GPS devices like the now defunct Dash Express, Mobile Millenium’s data will eventually be used to help drivers more effectively navigate clogged and congested California roads.
“The whole concept here is that if everyone shares just a little bit of what they’re seeing … then everyone can benefit by seeing the conditions ahead of them,” said Quinn Jacobson, a research leader with Nokia in Palo Alto.
The team actually expects to have 10, 000 users by April 2009, and to ease potential privacy fears they’ve made sure that no data can actually be connected to the actual contributor. On Monday when the project officially launches, the application will be available for Nokia and Blackberry phones on GSM networks such as those of AT&T and T-Mobile. Down the road the application will be available for other types of handsets as well, likely including the iPhone. But unless you have an unlimited data plan, don’t participate. Or you’ll be paying an arm and a leg for traffic data you could get for free from newer Garmin and TomTom GPS devices!
via itworld
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