Intel, NAVTEQ join hands for LBS developers

CHICAGO, US: NAVTEQ, a global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, on Wednesday announced that Intel  has joined the partner zone program on the NAVTEQ Network for Developers web portal(NN4D).

Intel's micro-site on NN4D (www.nn4d.com/intel) is an online destination designed for LBS developers to learn more about the application development opportunities available in the fast-growing Mobile Internet Devices (MID) arena, said a press release.

"Working with Intel enables us to strengthen our support for the global Linux developer community while at the same time supporting the growing trend of convergence in the wireless marketplace. Location-based services are a natural fit for the new class of devices made possible through the Intel Atom processor and Linux-based Moblin software, and this is something existing LBS developers can take advantage of to reach a broader audience," said Marc Naddell, vice president, partner and developer programs, NAVTEQ.

He added that developers already familiar with Intel can now also tap into LBS. NN4D provides the technical and business development support needed for the growing software developer community to innovate and create unique and useful location aware applications.

MIDs represent a new category of devices targeted to deliver the best Internet experience in pocketable form factors.

Intel is driving the MID category with the Intel Atom processor.

In addition to the Atom processor, Intel is working with the open source community to enable the Linux-based Moblin software stack, which plays a critical role in delivering a compelling Internet experience, said the release.

A number of Intel Atom processor and Moblin based MID models are shipping in the marketplace around the world including ones targeting the navigation segment based on the NAVTEQ maps database, it added.

NN4D members will be able to gain access to technical support, software development kits, source code for all major components of the Moblin platform, documentation, and sample code.

"Mobile Internet Devices represent an exciting growth category in the industry today. The combination of Intel Atom processor and Linux-based Moblin software make it possible to bring next generation navigation and location based services across a broad range of MIDs over the next few years," said Pankaj Kedia, director of global ecosystem programs in Intel's Ultra Mobility Group.

"We welcome NAVTEQ's developer community to take advantage of the opportunities in the MID market segment and look forward to making it easy for them by providing a range of resources through the NN4D partner zone program, " he added.