Slashgeo

All Points Blog links to an article on the future of NAVTEQ. From the article: "[...] creating street-level map data is a slow, expensive, and labor-intensive but low profit margin process with high entry barrier. That is why there are only two major players. Thanks to the growing importance of Location-Based Services/Solutions [LBS], it becomes clear that if you own the data, you could control the market. [...]" The article comments on four scenarios: "1. NVT stays independent, 2. GRMN Acquiring NVT – GRMN and TomTom control GPS, digital maps and all Location-Based Services/Solutions [LBS], 3. Google or Microsoft acquiring NVT and 4. Private Equity Acquiring NVT", and in each scenario, NAVTEQ wins.

In case the news hasn't reached you guys yet, Nokia is in talks to purchase NAVTEQ. I heard it from a 3rd party source, but it seems like it's shaking things up a bit (for them at least). A quick google search reveals some news activity today about it: read more on Bloomberg and Trading Markets. Update: 10/01 20:03 GMT by S : APB discuss the impact of the deal on Garmin. Slashdot discuss the acquisition. Expect more analysis from various medias in the coming days.

Very Spatial links to a Q & A session with NAVTEQ's vice president of product management, George Filley. From the Q&A: "We have to make a make or buy decision wherever we go. We need to maintain local knowledge and quality wherever we go. We make a decision based on the time frame and what’s already there. The bottom line is there are two main requirements: quality and the specification. One of the basic benefits NAVTEQ provides is a single specification for the navigable map." The whole Q&A is interesting.

The Map Room links to a GPS Review article about a comparison of NAVTEQ and TeleAtlas, the two main rivals in road databases. The article's conclusion: "So would I now recommend Tele Atlas maps over NAVTEQ in the USA? Not necessarily. I’m keeping my prior position that the map vendor isn’t currently something that should be a big consideration when looking to purchase a GPS device in the USA. If these results are representative of the entire database the difference between them would only amount to finding less than a dozen more addresses in a year, navigating to a new address every day."

NAVTEQ announced their intentions to acquire The Map Network. From the press release: "The Map Network's content and capabilities are a natural extension of NAVTEQ's core map business and will enable NAVTEQ to augment its portfolio with rich, location-specific detail. The Map Network produces detailed, accurate maps, in both print and online form, for over 90 U.S. cities, more than 200 trade shows and events and a number of leading convention centers, stadiums and hotels. Map content includes detailed building layouts (interior and exterior), robust event listings and locally relevant community and business Points of Interest and information."

All Points Blog tells us NAVTEQ has launched their developer network website. From their website: "The NAVTEQ Network for Developers™ is the only geospatial developer program that offers a one stop shop for NAVTEQ® map data with all development fees waived, and integrated geospatial development tools from industry leaders Autodesk and deCarta." APB also offers another story on NAVIGON's acquisition of NAVTEQ navigation software.

An Anonymous Voxel writes "Chicago Tribune has a writeup on some emerging problems in Navteq's aquisition by Nokia: "European antitrust regulators have raised concerns over the acquisition of Chicago-based digital map provider Navteq by Finnish cell phone-maker Nokia, delaying an $8.1 billion deal that is poised to marry the world's largest digital navigator and handset manufacturer. [...] European Commission said it "has opened a detailed investigation" into the deal after a preliminary review prompted "serious doubts" over how competition in the region would be affected. The antitrust body has until Aug. 8 to make a decision on the matter."" Related stories copied below.