Premier LBS Event Extends to Asia-Pacific with Prize Pool Worth $3 Million USD
CHICAGO, Nov. 1 /Xinhua-PRNewswire/ --
NAVTEQ (NYSE: NVT), a leading global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions (LBS), announced that the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge, the premier event for wireless LBS innovation, has officially launched in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region with registration opening October 29, 2007.
"APAC represents the largest market for smart mobile devices globally," said Rafay Khan, vice president, sales and business development, APAC, NAVTEQ. "Bringing the Global LBS Challenge here is reflective of NAVTEQ's expanded coverage of the Asia-Pacific region, which continues to provide more opportunities for developers to create unique location-based applications."
The Global LBS Challenge invites developers around the world to enter their innovative, non-commercialized LBS applications that work with mobile phones and/or wireless handheld devices using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ(R) map data. Participants compete for a global prize pool 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.
Global Sponsors of this year's program are Autodesk and Nokia. Nokia is returning as a three-time Global Sponsor of the event, with the Nokia N95 serving as an Official Device for the 2008 Global LBS Challenge. Autodesk also returns as a multi-year sponsor but as a Global Sponsor for the first time.
Global LBS Challenge participants can submit their entries 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 APAC Grand Prize Winner and runners up will be announced at the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony during CommunicAsia in Singapore on June 18, 2008.
Interest in LBS has continued to surge in APAC as digital map coverage and the number of wireless developers in the area have significantly increased. According to an Evans Data Corporation study in the fall of 2007, nearly 42% of the world's wireless developers reside in the Asia-Pacific region. The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge has been extended to APAC to further engage this growing number of LBS developers.
"The LBS space has unequivocally evolved into a global movement, as is evidenced by the increasing interest in LBS development that we've seen in the Asia-Pacific region," said Marc Naddell, vice president, partner and developer programs, NAVTEQ. "NAVTEQ is excited to bring the Global LBS Challenge to APAC, and we look forward to seeing the innovations of the many talented developers and entrepreneurs."
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 Global 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 3,100 employees located in 168 offices in 31 countries.
NAVTEQ and Global LBS Challenge are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. (C) 2007 NAVTEQ. All rights reserved.
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