As mentioned right here in March, a new GPS service for members of the AAA automobile club is now available on a cell phone. This merges maps and audible directions with AAA reviews and points of interest.

The technical stuff was developed by Aliso Veijo’s Networks in Motion, which is also powering Verizon’s VZ Navigator service. I tested NIM’s service last year on a Verizon phone and loved it.

What AAA members need to know:

• Initially available on Sprint phones, but the service will work with all the cell phone companies.

• It’s $9.99 a month, plus data charges from your phone company (Sprint charges 3-cents per kilobyte).

• If you’re stranded, one touch of a button sends AAA your geographical location and connects you to roadside assistance.

• Instead of carrying that AAA travel book around, users can get access to AAA guides on the phone — as long as you can get phone service. The usual info — hotels reviews, restaurants summaries, etc. — are searchable. Plus, the phone will direct you to the closest gas station, ATM and movie theater if you don’t know exactly where you are going.

Lots of details plus a demo of the product is available at AAA’s special mobile site: aaa.com/aaamobile

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