Signs on for fourth consecutive year as Global Sponsor

    CHICAGO, Oct. 20 - NAVTEQ, a leading provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, announced that Nokia will return for the fourth-consecutive year as a Global Sponsor of the 2009 edition of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge.

    As a Global Sponsor, Nokia will provide qualifying contestants with handsets and software tools to enable the development of location-based services (LBS) applications based on multiple platforms including S60 for Symbian OS(TM), Java(TM) ME, Python as well as the WHERE platform in the Americas region.

    Nokia will also provide qualifying contestants with their choice of the Nokia E71 or Nokia N85 handset to develop their location-enabled applications for the competition.

 
    -- The Nokia E71 is the world's thinnest QWERTY handset and supports the latest Ovi services, including maps, music and media sharing. The Nokia E71 is an Official Device in the EMEA and Americas regions.

    -- The dual-slider Nokia N85 enables users to discover new places with turn-by-turn voice navigation, pedestrian navigation, city guides and 15 million points of interest.  Users can also upload geotagged pictures from the 5 Megapixel camera or videos on the internet directly from the handset. The Nokia N85 is an Official Device in the EMEA region.


    As a Global Sponsor, Nokia will serve on a judging panel that will evaluate semifinalist applications on the basis of commercial appeal, indispensability, innovativeness, aesthetics, and effective use of NAVTEQ maps.  Nokia will be involved in the judging process for all three regions of the competition which includes Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA), the Americas, and Asia-Pacific (APAC).

    "From the beginning, Nokia has been a staunch supporter of the development of mobile location-based services through our Forum Nokia program as well as through sponsorship of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge," said Tom Libretto, Vice President, Forum Nokia. "We are proud of our ongoing global sponsorship and look forward to seeing many cutting-edge LBS applications developed specifically for our Nokia E71 and Nokia N85 handsets."

    The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge invites developers to build and submit original, pre-commercialized applications using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ maps.  Since its inception six years ago, the Global LBS Challenge has become the premier event in the LBS industry, shining a spotlight on the industry's most creative location-aware solutions for wireless devices.  Semifinalists have benefited greatly from the resulting industry exposure and networking opportunities, with approximately 25% receiving funding or commercial contracts following their participation in the competition.

    The prize pool for this year's competition is valued at over $5.25 million dollars in cash, tool and data licences, and handsets, making the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge one of the industry's most rewarding developer competitions.

    "Nokia's unwavering support has been a key factor in helping our program grow which in turn, has helped developers and the overall maturation of the LBS industry," commented Marc Naddell, vice president, partner and developer programs, NAVTEQ. "As wireless technology and mapping data grow in sophistication, the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge will continue to be an important program for surfacing the most innovative pre-commercial LBS applications and the creative minds behind them."

    Registration for EMEA region is open until Friday, October 31, 2008 (extended deadline); the Americas region registration is open until Friday, November 28, 2008; APAC region will begin registration on Friday, October 31, 2008. For more information on entries, eligibility, timelines in the three different regions and the official contest rules, please go to http://www.LBSChallenge.com.  


    About Nokia

    Nokia is the world leader in mobility, driving the transformation and growth of the converging Internet and communications industries. Nokia makes a wide range of mobile devices and provides people with experiences in music, navigation, video, television, imaging, games and business mobility through these devices. Nokia also provides equipment, solutions and services for communications networks.

 
    About the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge

    First launched in 2003, the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge 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 of LBS.  Complete development resources, information and technical support for creating LBS and Navigation solutions using NAVTEQ products and services is available at http://www.NN4D.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 more than 3,800 employees located in 194 offices and in 42 countries.

    NAVTEQ and Global LBS Challenge are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.

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