The annual NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge(R) invites developers to build innovative location-enabled applications that work with mobile phones and/or wireless handheld devices using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ map data. deCarta's geospatial software platform and web services gives mobile LBS application developers the ability to quickly build applications that integrate a wide variety of data sources to provide complex mapping, routing and spatial search functions.
The Grand Prize-winning application powered by deCarta was SpotJots from Ten23 Software. SpotJots is a location-based social blogging application that allows users to upload their stories, reviews, pictures, video, audio and documents to their personal SpotJots blog, where the content can be associated with relevant location information and shared with others.
Additionally, the top three runner-up applications from Mediated Spaces, HeyWhatsThat, and America's Emergency Network were built on uLocate Communications' WHERE(TM) platform. The highly popular location-based application platform offers consumers access to over 60 unique applications. The WHERE platform uses deCarta's Hosted Web Services as the underlying geospatial platform for developing mobile location-based applications.
"All of the applications in this year's competition displayed exceptional innovation and creativity," said J. Kim Fennell, President and CEO of deCarta. "Accordingly, we're very proud to be providing the enabling geospatial technology for this new generation of exciting mobile LBS applications."
"deCarta provided a complete package including outstanding functionality, well designed API's and excellent support," said Christopher Heiser, President of Ten23 Software. "We also wanted to use a platform that would be able to grow with us as we scale. deCarta is a known quantity in that area."
"The 2008 Global LBS Challenge produced innovative and sophisticated mobile LBS applications, indicating tremendous opportunities for future growth," said Jeff Mize, Executive Vice President, Sales, NAVTEQ. "deCarta's achievement as the underlying LBS platform provider to the Americas top award winners this year is a testament to the company's dedication to the location industry and the strength of its developer network."
In North America, location-based services have grown to account for 58 percent of the total downloaded application revenue according to recent market data from Nielsen Mobile, a division of The Nielsen Company. In this dynamic market, deCarta has built a leading position with 90 percent of mobile LBS revenue at these carriers running on the company's technology. deCarta's customers have location based applications running on AT&T Wireless, Sprint, Verizon, ALLTEL, Bell Mobility, Telus, Boost and over eight mobile operators in Europe.
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 almost $3 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 3,300 employees located in 174 offices and in 32 countries.
About deCarta
deCarta is the leading geospatial software platform that has enabled some of the industry's most successful Location-Based Services (LBS) applications such as those deployed by Verizon, Sprint Nextel, AT&T, Telia, Multimap and Ask.com. The company's unique, patented technology is ideal for high-volume LBS applications for use in mobile, personal navigation, connected navigation, Internet and enterprise applications where scalability, speed and reliability are vital. Its Drill Down Server geospatial software platform, Rich Map Engine, Hosted Web Service and Navigation SDK for are preferred by application developers and service providers who also want the flexibility to customize map styles, utilize unique routing capabilities and self-brand. Some of deCarta's customers and technology partners have included AND, Appello, Ask.com, ATX, AutoTrader.com, Google, Hotels.com, Local Matters, Maps.com, Motorola, Multimap, NAVTEQ, Networks In Motion, Rand McNally, Tele Atlas, TeleNav, TopTable.com, uLocate Yahoo! and Zillow. deCarta is privately held and headquartered in San Jose, California with international offices in the UK and China. http://www.decarta.com.
deCarta, the deCarta logo and Drill Down Server are trademarks or registered trademarks of deCarta, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. All other product or company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.
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