Navigation Technologies, a provider of digital maps for vehicle navigation, Internet/wireless applications and business solutions, has joined the Symbian Platinum Program to support the emerging market for Symbian OS(TM) advanced mobile phones. As a Platinum Partner, Navigation Technologies is extending its navigable database to the Symbian ecosystem. Symbian develops and licenses Symbian OS(TM), the global industry standard operating system for advanced mobile phones, to handset manufacturers. "The industry continues to increase its support for Symbian OS and drive demand for advanced mobile phone features which will dramatically improve consumer appeal. We believe mapping and routing will undoubtedly play a major role in developing richer and fresher content and hence more dynamic services," commented John MacLeod, executive vice president - Global Marketing & Strategy for Navigation Technologies. "This relationship reflects our commitment to the market and our intention to work closely with Symbian OS developers who are planning location sensitive applications." According to the company, location awareness will bring increased utility to the millions of portable devices expected to ship throughout the world in the next few years. Through its NAVTECH(R) map database, Navigation Technologies says it plays an integral role in creating location-based solutions and services that will enhance consumer experience and safety. The NAVTECH digital map database serves as the foundation for a variety of navigation and location-based services solutions in the Vehicle, Internet/Wireless, Enterprise/Fleet and Government industries. Nine out of ten navigation-enabled vehicles in Europe -- and all in North America -- use NAVTECH data. As a Symbian Platinum Partner, the company says it is ensuring close integration of its content with Symbian OS advanced mobile phones. "Mapping is becoming a fundamental requirement for today's mobile devices," said Martin Coul, Technology Partner Program director, Symbian. "We are pleased to have Navigation Technologies join the Symbian Platinum Program and bring its mapping and delivery technology to the Symbian ecosystem." About Navigation Technologies
Navigation Technologies creates the digital maps that power navigation and location-based services around the world. The Chicago-based company was founded in 1985 and is privately held. The company's approximately 1,300 employees are in over 100 offices in 17 countries. For more information, visit www.navtech.com. NAVTECH is a registered trademark or trademark of Navigation Technologies Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries. About Symbian
Symbian is a software licensing company that develops and licenses Symbian OS, the global open industry standard operating system for advanced, data-enabled mobile phones. Symbian has licensed Symbian OS to mobile phone manufacturers including Motorola, Nokia, Samsung, Siemens and Sony Ericsson. Publicly announced products based on Symbian OS include the BenQ P30, Samsung SGH-D700, Siemens SX-1, NTT DoCoMo FOMA F2051 built by Fujitsu, Sony Ericsson P800 Smartphone, Nokia 9200 Communicator range as well as the 7650, 3650 and N-Gage. Symbian has its global headquarters in London, United Kingdom with development sites in Europe and Asia. Symbian's shareholders are Ericsson, Panasonic, Motorola, Nokia, Psion, Samsung, Siemens and Sony Ericsson. For further information about Symbian, please see www.symbian.com.