The recent decision by Google and Tele Atlas to team up on maps and dynamic content is a big one. The deal between the digital map giant and the Internet biggie includes such services as navigation, online and desktop, and mobile. Because the deal's financial details were not disclosed, it is not known whether TomTom, Tele Atlas' owner, is looking at the agreement to increase revenues from what many analysts say is a downturn in the portable navigation device market.

Despite unprecedented growth in portable navigation systems and GPS-enabled mobile phones, embedded telematics products will continue to be strong players in the location-based services market. Some analysts have wondered if embedded solutions would be able to keep up to PND and smart phone growth beyond the luxury automobile marketplace. However, many analysts say that automobile manufacturers are not willing to give up on the market.

LBS service providers are cheering the new iPhone: it has GPS, a lower price, and Apple's commitment to pave the way for enterprise apps.

Although a pioneer of GPS capability in mobile phones, Sprint is losing subscribers at an alarming rate. Since its merger with Nextel, also an earlier adopter of GPS in both consumer and enterprise applications, Sprint has undergone several reorganizations. Analysts say that a new deal with Google for location search and other services can be seen as a positive step for Sprint.

Portable Navigation Device company stocks have taken a pounding on Wall Street in the last two months. Is this the start of a big drop off in consumer demand for PNDs like many pundits claimed would happen? Have navigation-enabled mobile phones gained this much ground ... and so fast?

CTIA Wireless 2008 included booths from most of the major location-based systems players. While no earth-shaking mergers or acquisitions took place, the conference was important as it featured an LBS panel and saw more wireless carriers integrating GPS and location-based social networking features into handsets.

How will mergers affect the overall market? Just what will be the future revenue model for LBS delivered on mobile handsets? GPS-Wireless 2008 was rife with questions - and potential answers.

Perspectives on LBS — Early March Newsletter Consumer interest is so high in Western Europe that PNDs are second only to TVs in terms of sales right now. Mar 13, 2008

HANOVER, Germany — CeBIT, short for Centrum der Büro- und Informationstechnik, which is German for Center of Office and Information Technology, is the world's largest computer expo. This year it featured more navigation and location companies than any other conference or trade show.

LBS Insider, Late February 2008 Technology Makes Handset Navigation Market A Sure Bet To Outsell PNDs Feb 27, 2008 By: Kevin Dennehy

A number of companies have added additional technology to handsets that make them more attractive to consumers who are trying to decide whether to buy a PND or a more functional phone. While new technology may mean more 2008 GPS-based handset sales, analysts say the overall LBS market will be elusive for many companies, particularly in Europe.