AU KDDI will offer its EZ Navi walk service for pedestrians GPS-assisted city navigation from next month when it releases its new A55xx series.

Previous AU BREW mobile phones (keitai) had a similar service that would show you the way to the closest subway station for instance or car navigation assistance. However, screen update were done every 5 mins (or when requested) and every time incurred a communication charge of about 10 seconds.

The new service will help you navigate from one point to another, like going back home (for instance) from anywhere in Japan. It will only charge the first location request (server based) and from then on will communicate directly with the satellite (decrypting its broadcast) without using relay antennas (no more charges apart from new map sections' downloads). The refresh rate of your position on the map will be real-time with auto-scroll & rotation (thanks to the on-board electronic compass). AU adds voice guidance and vibration when closing in on a direction change marker. In addition the service has a re-route function in case a user takes a wrong turn outside the scope of the searched route. The new devices' screens are QVGA (240x320 pixels for 2.2in). The service will be offered at 200 yen a month.

Will SO get me one of these to replace my current GPS phone.