NAVTEQ Announced Winners of the Global LBS Challenge The Americas

Developers from around the world have entered LBS applications that work on portable devices using wireless technology and NAVTEQ map data to compete for a global prize pool valued up to $2 million. Sixteen semifinalist companies were selected to advance to the final judging where they were evaluated by a panel of industry experts based on each competitors commercial viability, unique functionality and features, and ease of use.

During the Global LBS Challenge Awards Ceremony, three Category winners and a Grand Prize winner were named in the following four categories: Business, Entertainment & Leisure, Navigation and Social Networking.

The grand-prize winner and Business Application Category Winner, ComVu Media Inc., received $50,000 in cash and $100,000 worth of NAVTEQ map data licenses for up to one year. ComVu Medias application, ComVu PocketCaster GPS, leverages cameraphones with integrated GPS receiver to create an easy one-button mobile Webcasting. It automatically embeds date, time and GPS data in a live video stream, and archives it. Location data can be viewed dynamically on maps, while the video is streaming. The ComVu PocketCaster GPS is powered by OPENWAVE.

Each category winner, excluding the Grand Prize Winner, received $10,000 in cash and $75,000 worth of NAVTEQ map data licenses for up to one year.

The Category Winners are:

Entertainment & Leisure Application
TikGames GeoChief is a social networking game in which individual players interface by way of a blog. The application allows users on the go to create blogs, track routes, and navigate anywhere with multiple tools such as compass and altimeter. TikGames was also a category winner in last years LBS Challenge in Europe. GeoChief is powered by Autodesk.

Navigation Application
ParkWhiz Inc.s Mobile Parking Information Search helps consumers find parking information about their surrounding area. While on the go, users have access to available parking information including prices, distance away, and hours of operation drivers even have the ability to reserve a parking space. The ParkWhiz application is powered by Autodesk.

Social Networking Application
Jentro Technologies GmbHs activepilot offers local search, car and pedestrian off board navigation with traffic avoidance and spoken street names, traffic information on commute routes, public transportation and flight information, personal security and community services information. Jentro won the Grand Prize for the European LBS Challenge just this past February. Activepilot is powered by PTV.


Nokia globally sponsored the Global LBS Challenge for the second consecutive year and provided LBS contestants from both Europe and The Americas with access to resources from Forum Nokia - Nokias global developer program. Sponsors for the Global LBS Challenge - The Americas included Autodesk, deCarta, ESRI, KnowledgeWhere, Garmin, LOC-AID, Motodev, Networks in Motion, OPENWAVE, and SiRF Technology. Sponsors offered free access to tools, platforms and support to Global LBS Challenge developers in the Americas region.

The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge, along with its industry-leading sponsors, combines critical developmental support and business opportunities to create a world-class environment that leverages the demand for location-aware applications on wireless devices, commented Winston Guillory, Senior Vice President, Consumer and Enterprise, NAVTEQ. Past winners have experienced great commercial success, and we anticipate unprecedented accomplishments from this years semifinalists. NAVTEQ congratulates the winners of the Global LBS Challenge the Americas, and expresses our gratitude to the judges and sponsors that continue to help drive innovation and growth in this vital market.

Nokia is pleased to again be the global sponsor of this important program, and commends NAVTEQ for its commitment to encourage the development and emergence of inventive location-aware solutions, stated Nasser Iravani, Director, Forum Nokia - Americas.

The Global LBS Challenge creates an outlet for the developer community to gain unique industry access and exposure, and its success can be seen in the prevalence of wireless location and navigation services available today. The innovation seen in the applications demonstrated today is truly exciting congratulations to all of the winners.

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.

NAVTEQ digital map data facilitates the timely evolution of the next wave LBS using wireless position technology (GPS).
European Global LBS Challenge winners were named in February at 3GSM World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.

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 approximately 2,200 employees located in 144 offices in 27 countries.