HTC Global Sponsor for 2010 Global LBS Challenge

21 October 2009, 10:16am

Chicago - October 21, 2009 - NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions, today announced that HTC Corporation (HTC) is a global sponsor for the 2010 Global LBS Challenge. Application developers can now target two Android and Windows Mobile-based HTC phones and HTC will supply qualifying finalists from each region with an HTC Hero or HTC Touch Diamond2. In addition, HTC will present an award for the "Best Home Screen Widget Design" that includes location-based capabilities.

The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge is a world-wide competition organised annually since 2003. Conducted by NAVTEQ Network for Developers (NN4D), it challenges application developers around the world to build innovative location-based services (LBS) using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ maps. The global prize pool currently stands at $8.2 million US and is expected to grow. Open for pre-commercialised applications for any platform and any device, the competition is conducted in five different regions: Europe-Middle East-Africa (EMEA), North America, South America, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and India. Registration is already open for all five regions.

"We are very pleased to welcome HTC as a global sponsor of this year's competition. It is very encouraging to see one of the fastest growing smartphone brands supporting LBS application development globally," said Marc Naddell, vice president, partner & developer programs, NAVTEQ. "The interest and support that HTC shows by sponsoring with devices and tools is a clear sign of the widespread reputation and high standing of the annual NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge."

The HTC Hero is based on the Android operating system. It features a 3.2-inch capacitive touch display with 320x480 HVGA resolution, inbuilt GPS, G-sensor and digital compass. The HTC Touch Diamond2 is based on Windows Mobile 6.5 and features a 3.2-inch touch screen display with 480x800 WVGA resolution, inbuilt GPS and a G-sensor.

To be considered for HTC's location-based widget award, contestants must present an Android application design for the HTC Hero that brings compelling location-based capabilities to the home screen.

"Bringing location-based information to the surface of the mobile experience is key for people who want to utilise this information in their everyday lives. This is why we are acknowledging the top HTC Hero Android widgets designed for the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge," said John Wang, chief marketing officer, HTC Corporation. "We are driven by the desire to create mobile experiences that improve how people live and communicate. Personally relevant location-data is vital to a better mobile experience."

Other special recognition awards to be given out for the 2010 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge include "Best Touch UI Application" and "Best Use of Tanla License Manager". For more information about this year's competition, please visit the link below.

Registration for the first of the five regions (EMEA) closes on November 6, 2009 (extended deadline).

NAVTEQ 2010 Global LBS Challenge

HTC Corporation

Geo: International