OREANDA-NEWS. March 13, 2012. Yandex (NASDAQ: YNDX) announces the launch of Navigator, a free mobile application for drivers. This navigation app has everything a driver needs: regularly updated maps, a route planner using real-time traffic information, and a route guidance system. The application provides reliable assistance for users driving in Russia and Ukraine.

Using Navigator, drivers can reduce the travel time to their destination by taking the best route available at the time of their journey. The app calculates an optimal driving route taking into account traffic jams. Navigator obtains current traffic information from the Yandex.Traffic service used by millions of drivers. If the traffic situation changes during the trip or the driver misses the correct turning, Navigator instantly rebuilds the route. In addition, voice prompts allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road when driving in an unknown area.

The Navigator app is based on the mapping service Yandex.Maps which continually updates its content providing drivers with up-to-date maps and road grids. Currently, Navigator has detailed maps of over 500 cities in Russia and Ukraine. Drivers can plan their trips as within one single city, so across the whole country. Street navigation is available for most Russian and Ukrainian cities with a population of over 200,000 and also for smaller cities in Ukraine.

“Yandex.Navigator is especially helpful for people driving somewhere where they haven’t been before or for those with little driving experience. While our Yandex.Maps for Mobile app is indispensable for checking the current traffic situation when driving in a familiar area, the Navigator app is convenient for finding a faster way to a new destination. Although Yandex.Maps for Mobile and Yandex.Navigator are separate, standalone apps right now, we expect them to become more integrated with each other in the future,” says Tigran Khudaverdyan, head of Mobile at Yandex.