TomTom and HTC have done a deal that'll put navigation and location solutions on HTC smartphones. The new HTC Locations mapping application – preinstalled on the new HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z smartphones, with other devices expected to be added in the future – will come preloaded with TomTom’s maps. The option of turn-by-turn navigation can be purchased through HTC Locations or on HTCSense.com
Maarten van Gool, Managing Director of TomTom Licensing, said "I am very pleased to be providing HTC customers with TomTom’s accurate location and navigation content on their phones wherever they are. The beauty of it is that the maps are preloaded and instantly available at users’ fingertips. For the first time, this makes the power of TomTom navigation content available ‘in-pocket’ for HTC smartphone users."
In other location-based news, mobile location service Telmap says it's moving into profit for the first time this quarter.
Oren Nissim, Telmap’s CEO, said "Despite the fact that the mobile LBS industry is facing fierce competitive pressures, especially from industry giants such as Google and Nokia, Telmap has been able to grow and hit profitability due to its strong relationships with its customers, the mobile operators, combined with a winning solution and a strong commitment to bringing long-term, sustainable value to consumers."