Autodesk Location Services will be providing all Americas region participants of the Global LBS Challenge with access to Autodesk LocationLogic(TM), the on-demand location-based services platform, free of charge. LocationLogic manages the complexities of network integration, content management, and application integration so developers can focus on creating compelling applications, not on interfacing with map data or wireless network elements.
"Autodesk Location Services is now a four-time sponsor of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge, which reflects our on-going commitment to foster innovation in the LBS market. We are dedicated to providing the most advanced, standards-based platform and tools to leading-edge developers, so this program aligns squarely with that commitment," said Joe Astroth, vice president and general manager, Autodesk Location Services.
Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world's leading telecommunications operators. France Telecom serves more than 177 million customers in five continents. Its Orange Partner program assists with the development, sourcing and distribution of mobile and broadband solutions to Orange customers.
"Orange Partner is a returning sponsor of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge as we find it to be a great opportunity to engage with NAVTEQ to source new and innovative LBS applications. Many of these leading applications can then be made available to our channels and onto some of our 177 million global consumers," said Steve Glagow, vice president, Orange Partner.
The NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge invites developers to build and submit original, pre-commercialized applications using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ maps. Since its inception six years ago, the Global LBS Challenge has become the premier event in the LBS industry, shining a spotlight on the industry's most creative location-aware solutions for wireless devices. Semifinalists have benefited greatly from the resulting industry exposure and networking opportunities, with over 30% receiving funding or commercial contracts following their participation in the competition. The prize pool for this year's competition is valued at over $5.25 million dollars in cash, tool and data licenses, and handsets, making the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge one of the industry's most rewarding developer competitions.
"Having two leading players such as Autodesk Location Services and Orange Partner return as regional sponsors of the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge is a huge positive for this program," commented Marc Naddell, vice president, partner and developer programs, NAVTEQ. "Both of them bring a wealth of resources and industry perspective to the program that will help developers raise the level of their LBS application development and bring their solutions one step closer to market-readiness."
Key Dates:
-- Winners for EMEA region will be announced February 17, 2009 during Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.
-- Winners for the Americas region will be announced April 2, 2009 during CTIA in Las Vegas.
-- Registration is currently open for the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region until February 13, 2009 and winners will be announced June 17, 2009 during CommunicAsia in Singapore.
Contestants may register for any region regardless of place of residence. 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 Autodesk Location Services
Autodesk Location Services, a division of Autodesk, Inc., is a leading provider of location-based services for mobile and wireless customers. With a complete range of solutions including platform software, application frameworks and professional services, Autodesk Location Services delivers market-proven technology and expertise to empower application developers and wireless network operators with scalable and cost effective location-smart services.
About the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge(R)
First launched in 2003, the NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge is a developer competition daring application developers around the world to build innovative location-based services (LBS) for mobile phones using dynamic positioning technology and NAVTEQ(R) maps. The Global LBS Challenge has become the premier event in the LBS industry and a global symbol of LBS innovation and opportunity. 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. For more information or to register for this year's competition, go to http://www.LBSChallenge.com.
About NAVTEQ Network for Developers(TM)
NAVTEQ Network for Developers (NN4D) is a dynamic online web portal and community that provides developers and business partners with the technical and business support needed to build, showcase and launch the most innovative location-enabled solutions. Connect with the people, tools and resources you need to grow your business by visiting 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 4,000 employees located in 194 offices and in 43 countries.
NAVTEQ, NAVTEQ Network for Developers and Global LBS Challenge are trademarks in the U.S. and other countries. All rights reserved.
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