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WirelessDevNet.com Press Release
NAVTEQ Announces European Winners of Global LBS Challenge
BARCELONA, Spain, -- NAVTEQ (NYSE: NVT), a leading global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, announced the winners of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge, a global program that challenged application developers to build innovative location-based services (LBS) that work with mobile phones or wireless handheld devices using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ(R) maps. The challenge was created to drive growth in the LBS industry by bringing together the key players in the LBS/wireless value chain.
The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge(TM) awarded a grand-prize winner and category winners. The grand prize winner, ALK Technologies Ltd., received euro 50,000 in cash and euro 100,000 worth of NAVTEQ map licenses for up to one year. ALK Technologies developed CoPilot(R) Live FleetCenter, a
fleet-tracking, messaging, reporting and optimization application, which integrates with the CoPilot Live mobile navigation solution to enable real time asset visibility.
Each category winner received euro 10,000 in cash and euro 75,000 in NAVTEQ map licenses for up to one year. The solution category winners are:
Entertainment and Leisure
TikGames(C) developed a GeoWorld Universe which brings the phenomenon of geocaching to your GPSOne-enabled phone.
Navigation
ALK Technologies developed CoPilot Live FleetCenter, which ultimately went on to win the Grand Prize in lieu of the category award.
Social Networking
Datatronics developed Microgestel(R), designed for location, security and personal assistance applications in mobility environments. Features include permanent personal location and immediate telephone assistance.
Global LBS Challenge
First launched in North America in October 2003, the contest is focused on driving the development and visibility of innovative navigation solutions for wireless devices. From wireless business applications to sports, travel and security, integrating the accuracy and richness of NAVTEQ digital map data facilitates the timely evolution of the next wave LBS using global positioning satellite (GPS) technology. Industry validation of the Global LBS Challenge for the category overall encouraged NAVTEQ to host the judging and presentations for the first time in both Europe and North America this year.
Executives from wireless carriers, hardware and device manufacturers, venture capitalists and other influential players in the wireless industry served as the official judges and completed the judging on Monday, 13 February on site during 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. The judges based their final decisions on three criteria: commercial viability, unique functionality and features and ease of use.
The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge was sponsored globally by Nokia. Nokia provided LBS applicants with access to resources from Forum Nokia, Nokia's global developer program, which offers tools, SDKs and technical documents for the mobile developer community. Joining Nokia, additional influential sponsors include ESRI, PTV, QUALCOMM and Telcontar, offering tools, platforms and support to Global LBS Challenge developers in Europe.
"The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge has been met with extensive interest from developers, carriers, and device manufacturers and further heightened the awareness of new value-adding location-based services to the wireless industry. The success of the Challenge can be seen in the success of past winners in North America, and lies in the future of the innovative developers and applications seen today. Congratulations to the winners and all of the semi-finalists on behalf of NAVTEQ, the sponsors and the judges," commented Serge Bussat, Vice President -- European Consumer Applications, NAVTEQ. "We look forward to the continued support from the LBS industry and next year's challenge."
"Nokia strongly supports the objective of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge, to stimulate the introduction and proliferation of LBS in the wireless space, and is pleased to see the innovative solutions displayed at the awards ceremony recognizing the European developers," commented Nasser Iravani, director, Forum Nokia Americas. "We have been impressed with the quality and viability of the semi-finalist and winning applications, and wish them all success in the future."
The North American semi-finalists will be judged, and the winners announced, on 5 April, 2006 in Las Vegas, Nevada, at CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association) Wireless. More information regarding next year's Global LBS Challenge will be available in the upcoming months at http://www.LBSChallenge.com .
About NAVTEQ
NAVTEQ is a leading provider of comprehensive digital map information for automotive navigation systems, mobile navigation devices, Internet-based mapping applications, and government and business solutions. NAVTEQ creates the digital maps and map content that power navigation and location-based services solutions around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and has approximately 1,900 employees located in 131 offices in
23 countries.
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