NAVTEQ Powers Loopt Social Mapping Application for Mobile Phones
26 August 2008 - 5:20PM
PR Newswire (US)
Former NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge Semifinalist Launches
Application Powered by NAVTEQ(R) Map Data CHICAGO, Aug. 26
/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- NAVTEQ, a leading global provider of
digital map data for location-based solutions and vehicle
navigation, today announced that Loopt is teaming up with NAVTEQ to
bring its interoperable social-mapping application to a new network
of consumers. The social networking solution uses NAVTEQ data for
North America and is commercially available on select carriers. As
a semifinalist in the 2007 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge(R) -
Americas, Loopt is part of the growing number of participants in
the premier developer competition that have successfully brought
their application to market. An application that is based in the
thriving social networking category, Loopt allows friends to
connect on-the-go, helping to navigate their social lives by
orienting them to people, places and events via detailed,
interactive NAVTEQ maps. Subscribers can also share location
updates, geo-tagged photos and comments with friends on the Web.
"Loopt uses location technology to connect friends to each other
and the world around them," commented Eric Carr, vice president of
Location Technologies, Loopt. "The extensive support that NAVTEQ
provides to developers through such programs as the Global LBS
Challenge exemplifies how clearly they understand the future of LBS
and the far-reaching effect it will have on our environment."
NAVTEQ map data provides an ideal foundation for supporting
innovative wireless LBS applications that require accurate, rich
and relevant content. The NAVTEQ database contains millions of the
most-valued Points of Interest including local restaurants, ATMs,
gas stations and other important destinations to enhance the
mapping and navigation experience for end-users. NAVTEQ's digital
map data provides the quality and extensive coverage that enables
more effective location tracking for consumer and enterprise
applications. "Mobile subscribers are beginning to understand the
positive impact that LBS can have on their lives -- adding
'location context' to mobile applications dramatically enhances the
user experience," said Jeff Mize, executive vice president, sales,
NAVTEQ. "With the popularity of location-aware social networking
continuing to grow rapidly, Loopt chose an opportune time to launch
its application, as it taps into the consumer desire to be 'in
touch' all of the time." Loopt is now available across multiple
wireless carriers and supported on over 80 mobile devices. Please
visit http://www.loopt.com/ for more information. About Loopt
Loopt, based in Silicon-Valley and backed by leading venture
capital firms Sequoia Capital and New Enterprise Associates, has
created a truly interoperable and accessible social-mapping service
that is available across multiple carrier networks and supported on
over 80 mobile devices. Leveraging the latest location technology,
Loopt changes the way people connect, share and explore in the real
world. Loopt was designed with privacy considerations at its core
and offers a variety of effective and easy-to-use privacy controls
for subscribers. Loopt works with leading mobile, social
networking, and online privacy and security organizations such as
the Family Online Safety Institute, Cyber Safe California,
ConnectSafely.org, Congressional Internet Caucus Advisory
Committee, Progress & Freedom Foundation's Center for Digital
Media Freedom, and the Internet Safety Task Force. Loopt is also
TRUSTe certified. For more information, please visit
http://www.loopt.com/. 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. The 2008 Global LBS Challenge
features a global prize pool valued at over $4.5 million in cash
and prizes. 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. NAVTEQ and
Global LBS Challenge are trademarks in the U.S. and other
countries. All rights reserved. (Logo:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060313/NAVTEQLOGO)
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060313/NAVTEQLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: NAVTEQ CONTACT: Jennifer
Schuh of NAVTEQ, +1-312-894-3913, ; or Bob Richter,
+1-212-802-8588, , for NAVTEQ Web site: http://www.loopt.com/
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