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Google developing free navigation app?
We already know plenty of people who've eschewed traditional turn-by-turn GPS systems in favor of plotting it out for free on Google Maps, and now there's whispers that Mountain View is coming after the rest of the market with a free nav app. That's at least what nav services providers are saying to Forbes, who think El Goog is gearing up to release a free ad-supported navigation app after making moves to use its own US maps instead licensing data from Tele Atlas and putting ads on the iPhone Maps app. Obviously that would shake things up a ton -- and make Android devices a huge bargain -- but we'll see where this all leads over the next few months. [Via Fierce Mobile Content; thanks Elad]
Video: Tele Atlas' photorealistic city models to aid navigation, terrorism
Navigation devices are everywhere and just keep getting better and better thanks to the 3D maps provided by the likes of Tele Atlas (owned by TomTom) and NAVTEQ (owned by Nokia). Now Tele Atlas is announcing its photorealistic "Advanced City Models" destined for in-car and portable navigation systems and mobile devices. In June, Tele Atlas will release 40 maps based on BLOM arial imagery for cities across Europe -- hundreds more cities, including those in North America and Asia, will be available in 2010. Remember, Google already has laid ink to paper to give it rights to Tele Atlas maps for use in Google's mobile, desktop, and on-line offerings. And with Tele Atlas maps loaded on PSPs and navigators from Pioneer, Mio, and of course TomTom, just think of this as a hint of what's to come.
Sygic demos turn-by-turn GPS app at MWC09
One of the most elusive and desired apps for iPhone is turn-by-turn GPS navigation. Just before the iPhone 3G hit the market, we heard that TomTom was developing a GPS navigator. To date, it hasn't shipped. Recently, the focus has been on xGPS, an app that requires a jailbroken iPhone to work. Since Apple says a) jailbreaking may be illegal and b) the terms of the SDK prohibit "real time route guidance," it seems like it may be a long time before we see legal turn-by-turn on the iPhone. This week, though, there was some light at the end of the GPS tunnel. At Mobile World Congress 2009 (MWC09) in Barcelona, Spain, Sygic is demoing a version of their namesake GPS navigation software running on an iPhone 3G. According to a post on The iPhone Blog, the Sygic software uses maps from TeleAtlas, the same company that supplies map data for Google Maps. Sygic produces similar software for Windows Mobile and Symbian devices. From the screenshots in the post, the app appears to be similar to what many of us are used to with our TomTom, Garmin, and Magellan car navigation systems. Whether or not Sygic will be lucky enough to get this one into the App Store is unknown, but this app is definitely worth watching. Thanks to Topper for the tip!
Nextar intros Q4-MD navigator, throws in MSN Direct free for a year
Nextar's not only introducing a sizable duo in its SNAP line at SEMA 2008, it's also introducing a navigator with MSN Direct support. The Q4-MD will boast a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, Tele Atlas maps covering all 50 US states along with Canada, access to 1.6 million points-of-interest, 2D / 3D map viewing modes, an SD card slot, MP3 player / JPEG viewer, USB connectivity and a rechargeable Li-ion battery. Most notably, you'll receive a free year of up-to-the-minute traffic reports, current / three-day weather conditions, news headlines, stock quotes and local event listings via the aforesaid MSN Direct service. Expect to see this one in stores for $329.99 in Spring 2009. Full release is after the break.%Gallery-35552%
Nextar intros 5-inch SNAP5 / 7-inch SNAP7 GPS units
Warm on the heels of its T30 PMP, Nextar is getting official with two new GPS units in its ever-expanding SNAP family. Up first is the SNAP5 -- which predictably includes a 5-inch touch panel -- followed by the 7-inch SNAP7. Both devices check in at just 0.7-inches thick and feature stereo speakers, text-to-speech support, US / Canada Tele Atlas maps, an SD card slot, a built-in MP3 player / JPEG viewer, 2D / 3D map viewing modes, a rechargeable Li-ion battery and a magnetic docking station (hence the SNAP moniker -- get it?!). The duo is all set to debut at SEMA 2008 in early November, but they won't go on sale in the US until Spring of 2009; at that point, you can grab the SNAP of your choice for $299.99 / $349.99, respectively. Full release is after the break.%Gallery-35547%
EU approves Nokia's acquisition of NAVTEQ, Google signs with Tele Atlas
In the brave new world of GPS, Nokia and NAVTEQ are one as are TomTom and Tele Atlas. At least that will be the picture within 5 business days. With the European Commission's "unconditional approval" granted, Nokia can now close the deal on its planned, $8.1 billion acquisition of NAVTEQ. What makes the whole thing a bit more interesting is that Google signed a long term agreement with Tele Atlas on Monday which gives it access to Tele Atlas maps for use in any of Google's mobile, desktop, and on-line offerings. A move likely to put Android in even greater competition with Nokia which opted out of the Open Handset Alliance. Good times.Read -- EU approves acquisitionRead -- Google's deal with Tele Atlas
TomTom / Tele Atlas a done deal, Nokia / NAVTEQ moving in that direction
Coincidence is a funny beast, is it not? On the very same day, releases have been put out touching on both of the major navigation deals that have long since been pending. To kick things off, we've got TomTom and Tele Atlas in quite the celebratory mood, as TomTom intends for Tele Atlas' listing on Euronext Amsterdam and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange "to be terminated as soon as legally possible." Can't blame a brother for wanting what's his, right? Moving on, we're hearing that Nokia will receive clearance from EU regulators "to buy digital map supplier NAVTEQ, as no formal charges are to be levied against the deal." It's also noted that the time for sending a statement of objections has passed, so from the outside looking in, it seems the two can at least move forward with their plans.[Via Washington Post]Read - TomTom / Tele Atlas dealRead - Nokia / NAVTEQ deal
TomTom cleared to purchase Tele Atlas, Garmin shrugs
Despite issuing an early statement of objection, the EC has come around to see the merits of a TomTom / Tele Atlas deal. In fact, the two companies have received "unconditional clearance" from the European Commission for the proposed acquisition. The US already approved the deal in October. Thing is, shareholders better get a move on since the bidding-war-boosted $4.2 billion offer (plus another $300 million thanks to the weakass dollar) made in November is set to expire on May 30th. Although it could be extended. Of course, Garmin made a move for Tele Atlas early on with a $3.3 billion bid of its own. Nevertheless, with TomTom profits heading downward and Garmin's own, hotly anticipated Nuvifone on the horizon, maybe Garmin will be laughing last after all.
EU now formally opposed to TomTom / Tele Atlas deal
Reuters is reporting that the European Commission, apparently having completed is inquiry into the $4.2b acquisition offer TomTom made Tele Atlas last year, is issuing a "statement of objections." It's not a flat-out rejection / do not pass go / do not collect $200, but now TomTom supposedly has until May 5th to work on resolving the issues the EU's presented before it can get the thumbs up to make its big buy.
Motorola's DH01n -- think DH01 with GPS navigation
Motorola just announced a new Mobile TV with GPS and Tele Atlas maps. Think their DH01 (pictured) DVB-H TV with the addition of built-in navigation. Motorola is light in the details for specs, release, and price. As such, we assume everything else is the same on this personal DVR with 4.3-inch display.
EU to investigate TomTom / Tele Atlas deal
The European Commission has just opened an investigation into TomTom's proposed purchase of Tele Atlas, claiming that consumers could be hurt by a GPS hardware maker owning one of the two major digital map providers. Specifically, the so-called "in-depth inquiry," which will be concluded no later than April 17th of next year, stems from "serious doubts that the acquisition by TomTom of Tele Atlas might...lead to a significant impediment of effective competition within the EEA." With Nokia going after NAVTEQ and Garmin having given up on Tele Atlas, this investigation clearly makes sense from the free market standpoint, as the Dutch firm is not likely to slip past without at least committing to fair map licensing terms for other PND manufacturers. In response to the Commission's announcement, TomTom decided to extend its offer for shares of Tele Atlas until March 31st, 2008, with the option to issue another extension if certain conditions are not met.[Thanks, Daniel]
TomTom to make $4.2 billion bid for Tele Atlas
The predicted bidding war between Garmin and TomTom over a takeover of Tele Atlas has certainly come to fruition, with TomTom all set to go ahead with a $4.2 billion bid taking place on Monday. Garmin stepped back from the brink on Friday, after offering a measly $3.3 billion. Tele Atlas's management must certainly be happy that the company didn't jump earlier, because it was only a few months ago that TomTom's offer was $2.5 billion. Does anyone else get the feeling that these numbers are starting to lose their meaning?
Garmin withdraws $3.3 billion offer for Tele Atlas, sticks with NAVTEQ
The title pretty much says it all on this one, folks. We suppose the thought of countering TomTom's recently raised $4.22 billion offer for mapmaker Tele Atlas weighed too heavy on Garmin's soul (or just seemed too expensive), but whatever the case, its $3.3 billion offer has officially been rescinded. Also of note, the AP claims that the outfit has struck a deal with NAVTEQ (or is that Nokia?), which guarantees it access to those maps through 2015. Currently, there's been no word on whether TomTom will move forward with its apparent plans to snap up Tele Atlas, but it's safe to say the biggest obstacle has been (voluntarily) removed.
TomTom raises offer for Tele Atlas: take that Garmin
Man, we were only half kidding when we suggested that Tele Atlas hold out for more money. But sure enough, they're now looking at a sweet €30.00 per share offer as followup to TomTom's original €21.25 offer which took just a tad too long to formalize. That's a bump from $2.56 billion to $4.22 billion. So Garmin... you ready to bump your $3.3 billion bid or shall we just consider this matter closed?
Garmin challenges TomTom with $3.3 billion bid for Tele Atlas
Man, it must feel mighty fantastic to be Tele Atlas right about now. Not even a month after TomTom finalized a whopping $2.5 billion offer to take the map maker over, Garmin -- which currently relies on NAVTEQ maps -- has come out swinging with a staggering $3.3 billion bid of its own. As expected, Tele Atlas is now taking a good hard look at both offers and examining its options, and some analysts are even suggesting that a bidding war could take the figure even higher. 'Course, such a conjecture is easy to make when TomTom has already proclaimed that it would reply in some way "in the near future." Bust out the blank checks -- this one could get ugly (or very pretty, if you're a Tele Atlas shareholder).
TomTom reacts to Nokia -- formalizes offer for Tele Atlas
Just one day after Nokia offered $8 billion for NAVTEQ, TomTom is in the news with a formal offer for Tele Atlas. Of course, TomTom had already announced their intent to offer €21.25 per share (about $2.56 billion) for the map maker back in July -- the same amount tendered today. Back then the offer represented a sweet 32% premium over the average Tele Atlas share price. However, Tele Atlas is now trading above the offer price thanks to speculation caused by the Nokia deal. We say hold out for more Tele Atlas. Just hint at discussions with Nokia or Garmin and we're pretty sure TomTom will up the ante.[Thanks, SmartDust]
Mio's C620 / C620t navigation units to offer '3D maps'
As if Mio didn't have enough new kit coming down the pipeline, now we've learned that the outfit is reportedly readying another duo of portable navigation devices. The C620 and C620t seem to only differ in the traffic functionality built into the latter, as each will sport a 4.3-inch touchscreen display, the MioMap 2008 software with redesigned GUI and split-screen capabilities, an integrated media player, and a contact book for good measure. More importantly, however, are the new TeleAtlas maps, which purportedly boast "3D models of certain buildings, landmarks, and more." No news just yet on pricing or availability, but word on the street has these two showing up at this month's IFA expo.[Via NaviGadget]
TomTom offers $2.5 billion for map maker Tele Atlas
TomTom is currently the world's largest manufacturer of car navigation devices, but doesn't seem content to settle there, and has just put a $2.5 billion bid in for Tele Atlas, which provides maps for the likes of MapQuest, Google Maps, and of course navigation devices aplenty. TomTom currently accounts for around 40 percent of Tele Atlas' business, and says the deal would allow for improved maps and new features like daily map updates and better routing. TomTom would operate Tele Atlas as an independent business unit, and keep offering maps to other manufacturers -- who might take issue with their map dollars falling right into a competitor's pocket. If everything goes as planned, the two companies should be getting hitched by the end of 2007.
Cowon Q5 PMP gets priced and dated
Anytime a US-bound PMP sports wireless connectivity we're bound to sit up and take notice, so the fact that Cowon's upcoming Q5 rocks not only Bluetooth and WiFi but HSDPA as well shoots this 40GB or 60GB model right up to the top of our wish list. Besides all that 'net functionality (thanks to Windows CE Internet Explorer), the 5-inch Q5 sounds like a pretty strong performer as a standalone media device, offering an 800 x 480 resolution, DVR capabilities, hefty codec support (including DivX and XviD), built-in speakers, and an FM radio, along with optional TeleAtlas-based GPS. Definitely one that will give Archos a run for its money, and at $499 or $549 depending on capacity, there seem to be enough advantages over the similar Archos 604 WiFi to warrant the extra $50-$100 when this drops sometime by the end of this quarter.
Hatchback GD06 GPS touts integrated camera
While there's a myriad of all-in-one devices out there that can manage a turn or two of directional guidance, Group Sense PDA's forthcoming navigator makes routing its number one priority, but dons something that most standalone GPS units lack: a camera. The Hatchback GD06, as shown off in an elusive set of FCC documents, will boast a touchscreen LCD, RDS-TMS support, headphone output, a calculator function, an integrated digital camera (pictured after the break), and utilize TurboDog navigational software. Additionally, users will find MP3 playback and photo viewing functions built-in, and the SD card slot will allow your excess files to come on board. The camera can purportedly be used to "take photos and save them as a geographical location," which should perk the ears of the geo-tagging faithful at least. No word just yet on future pricing or availability, but it shouldn't be too long before this passes right on through the FCC and onto overseas shelves.[Via NaviGadget]
