CHICAGO, Oct. 8 -- NAVTEQ , a leading global provider of digital map
data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions (LBS), today
announced Autodesk and Nokia as Global Sponsors of the fifth annual
NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge. The Global LBS Challenge invites
developers around the world to build innovative LBS applications that
work with mobile phones and/or wireless handheld devices using dynamic
positioning technology and NAVTEQ(R) map data. Participants have the
chance to compete for a global prize pool of cash and data licenses
worth $3 million USD, as well as gain priceless exposure for their
applications.
Several key companies in the LBS developer community are working with
NAVTEQ to sponsor this year's Global LBS Challenge, bringing with them
invaluable resources and opportunities.
deCarta, PTV and Movilforum
Nokia returns as a three-time Global Sponsor of the Global LBS
Challenge, with the Nokia N95 serving as an Official Device for the
2008 LBS Challenge. Autodesk also returns as a multi-year sponsor of
the Global LBS Challenge but as a Global Sponsor for the first time.
Global LBS Challenge participants compete for a sizeable global prize
pool consisting of cash, licenses and services from NAVTEQ and sponsors
of the event, with this year's prize pool the largest to date, valued
at nearly $3 million USD.
The Global LBS Challenge has now expanded into three regions: The
Americas, Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA) and Asia-Pacific (APAC). The
registration deadline for EMEA has been extended to 19 October 2007.
Registration for The Americas is currently open and will be closing 7
December 2007. Registration for the APAC region opens on 29 October
2007 and closes 29 February 2008.
Entries can be submitted in five categories-Content,
Enterprise, Entertainment, Navigation and Social Networking. Winners
are chosen by an elite panel of judges comprised of major wireless
carriers, industry experts and venture capitalists.
The Grand Prize Winner and runners up will be announced at the NAVTEQ
Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony conducted in each region. Winners
of the EMEA region will be announced during 3GSM in Barcelona on 12
February 2008; winners of The Americas region will be announced during
CTIA WIRELESS in Las Vegas on 2 April 2008; and winners of the APAC
region will be announced during CommunicAsia in Singapore on 18 June
2008.
"We are delighted that the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge, now in its
fifth year, continues to be a proven catalyst for growth and innovation
in the LBS industry," commented Winston Guillory, senior vice
president, global consumer and enterprise, NAVTEQ. "We are extremely
pleased to be joined by such a dynamic lineup of sponsors, all of whom
are recognized for their leadership and support for developers in the
wireless LBS space."
For more information about the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge, visit http://www.lbschallenge.com.
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. The 2008 LBS Challenge features a global prize pool valued
at almost $3 million in cash and prizes.
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 over 3,000 employees
located in 168 offices in 30 countries.