Samsung to provide participants with handsets, tools and developer support portal 

CHICAGO, Oct. 7-- NAVTEQ, a leading provider of digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle navigation, announced that Samsung, a leading mobile phone and telecommunications equipment provider, will be a Global Sponsor of the 2009 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge. This marks Samsung's first time as a sponsor of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge. 

    As a Global Sponsor, Samsung will provide comprehensive support to participants throughout the competition:

 

    -- Qualifying contestants will receive the Samsung INNOV8 (i8510) and software tools to enable the development of location-based services (LBS) applications. The INNOV8 (i8510) features LBS and navigation capabilities that operate on the S60 on Symbian OS(TM) platform and includes the world's first eight megapixel camera phone. 

    -- All contestants can receive technical assistance through the recently launched Samsung Mobile Innovator web portal (innovator.samsungmobile.com) which provides developers a direct channel to Samsung's developer resources. 

    -- Samsung will participate in the application judging process in all three regions of the Global LBS Challenge which includes

Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA), the Americas and Asia-Pacific (APAC).

 

 

    "We see the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge as a great opportunity for Samsung Mobile Innovator and mobile developers to work more closely together. The mobile industry recognizes the huge potential and variety of LBS applications, and with new devices available like the INNOV8 (i8510), there's a big opportunity for those developers getting involved in the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge," said Sanj Matharu, Global Relations Manager at Samsung Mobile Innovator.

    The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge has become the premier event in the LBS industry, driving the development and visibility of creative location-aware solutions for wireless devices. It invites developers to build and submit original, pre-commercialized applications using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ maps. There are five categories for entries -- content, enterprise, entertainment & leisure, navigation, social networking.

    The prize pool for this year's competition is valued at over $5.25 million dollars in cash, tool and data licences, and devices, making the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge one of the industry's most rewarding developer competitions.



    Just as important as the prizes, developers also receive coveted industry exposure provided by the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge. The best entries in each region are closely reviewed by decision makers from the world's leading operators, device manufacturers and investment firms, as well as industry journalists. The judging process and the networking events drive industry success in each region, with over 25% of the participants having received funding or commercial contracts following the competition. 

    "We are thrilled to have Samsung as a first time sponsor of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge," commented Marc Naddell, vice president, partner and developer programs, NAVTEQ. "Samsung's global sponsorship demonstrates their strong commitment to the mobile developer community and through the Global LBS Challenge, our combined resources and expertise will enable participants to create some very compelling, cutting-edge solutions for the mobile LBS market."

    Registration for EMEA region is open until Friday, October 24, 2008; the Americas region registration is open until Friday, November 28, 2008; APAC region will begin registration on Friday, October 31, 2008. For more information on entries, eligibility, timelines in the three different regions and the official contest rules, please go to http://www.LBSChallenge.com.  

 

    About Samsung

    Recognised as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. Samsung Mobile Innovator (http://innovator.samsungmobile.com) is part of Samsung Telecommunication Business, and is the latest addition to the Samsung Mobile Solutions Center (MSC). MSC includes Samsung Fun Club, (http://www.samsungmobile.com), MP3, Computer Systems, and Mobile divisions.

 

    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. Complete development resources, information and technical support for creating LBS and Navigation solutions using NAVTEQ products and services is available at http://www.NN4D.com.

 

    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 more than 3,800 employees located in 194 offices and in 42 countries.