Nokia-owned (NYSE:NOK) navigation and location-based solutions provider Navteq introduced a new remote testing service promising to cut the time and resources necessary to develop, trial, monitor and deploy location-enabled mobile applications. Powered by application testing firm DeviceAnywhere, the Navteq Virtual Developer Lab supports LBS application testing on any location-aware smartphone or feature phone, promising instant remote access to real handsets in live carrier networks. Developers can conduct pre-certification testing or testing of LBS apps on specific operator variants; members of the Navteq Network for Developers program can participate in a free trial and sign up at discounted testing rates. For more, click here.
In related news, Navteq has acquired crowdsourced traffic alert solutions developer Trapster. Financial details were not disclosed; a Navteq spokesperson told Reuters "It's a small deal, even by Navteq standards." The Trapster mobile application supplies motorists information on police speed traps and other roadway hazards; close to 9.5 million drivers use the service, submitting and information on current travel conditions in their immediate vicinity. Trapster is optimized for smartphone platforms including iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Symbian as well as GPS services like Garmin and TomTom; users have reported more than 3.5 million traps to date. Last month, Navteq snapped up 3D technology firm PixelActive, which develops urban modeling software for video games, simulation, navigation and urban planning.
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