TomTom, the popular GPS Navigation hardware and software company, has just stuck a deal with HTC to include it’s services on the coming Desire Z, Desire HD, and future devices as well.
Not specifically a TomTom app, HTC will utilize TomTom maps in it’s own upcoming GPS application. Named HTC Locations, the application will not only provide maps and location services – but TomTom’s turn-by-turn navigation can be purchased through the app or HTC Sync.
This is a bold move and partnership that will bring Android users without access to Google’s Maps Navigation to have a full featured navigation app.
Press Release:
AMSTERDAM & TAOYUAN, Taiwan–(BUSINESS WIRE)–TomTom, the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions, and HTC Corporation, a global designer of smartphones, today announced they are combining strengths to deliver superb navigation and location solutions on HTC smartphones.
“HTC and TomTom have worked closely to optimize these amazing capabilities on HTC smartphones through our new HTC Locations application.”
HTC Locations, HTC’s new mapping experience, comes preloaded with TomTom’s location-rich maps, resulting in a zero-wait navigation experience. HTC Locations is initially available on the new HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z smartphones in Europe and Asia and will be extended to a wide variety of future smartphones and geographies.
“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”, says Maarten van Gool, Managing Director of TomTom Licensing.
“This partnership with TomTom underlines HTC’s commitment to giving our customers an innovative navigation experience that is natural and provides unique enhancements for common navigation needs,” said John Wang, Chief Marketing Officer, HTC Corporation. “HTC and TomTom have worked closely to optimize these amazing capabilities on HTC smartphones through our new HTC Locations application.”
Maps and location content come preloaded on HTC Locations while turn-by-turn navigation can be purchased and downloaded through HTC Locations or HTC Sync.
[Via BusinessWire]
I really hope HTC don’t decide to go down the road verizon did with samsung. what does “users without access to Google’s Maps Navigation” mean? Is HTC Sense going to come with Tom Tom as its default GPS Navigator? Will users be denied access to Google’s Maps?