Toyota to Use Telenav GPS App

Toyota Motor Corp. will begin offering Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Telenav Inc.'s Scout GPS Link smartphone app on select 2016 models equipped with the carmaker's Entune Audio Plus system. The Tacoma pickup truck will be the first vehicle to get the feature.

As with new interfaces from Apple and Google, the Telenav system will enable users to access information including GPS and real-time traffic data from their smartphone from an in-vehicle display. In addition to the touchscreen, the system offers voice command functionality.

At the same time the navigation system is running, users can continue to use the Telenav interface for other multimedia functions such as to play music or take phone calls. Future upgrades will include the ability to predict a driver's destination based on past behavior Google already offers this capability.

Telenav says the free application is compatible with both iPhone and Android smartphones. Connectivity will be provided by Kirkland, Wash.-based UIEvolution Inc.