NAVTEQ Network for Developers™ (NN4D) Launches 3D Developer Toolkit from Visioglobe®

Sample SDK with advanced 3D content data gives developers opportunity to differentiate their LBS apps

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Dec 02, 2010, 09:05 ET

CHICAGO, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world, today announced a co-marketing agreement with Visioglobe®, granting NN4D the rights to distribute Visioglobe's 3D rendering software development kit (SDK), VisioDevKit. The VisioDevKit allows developers globally to easily create or enhance existing applications with sample data of NAVTEQ's Enhanced 3D City Models product.

The VisioDevKit integrates Munich sample data of NAVTEQ's Enhanced 3D City Models to help application developers make the most of the opportunities in 3D mapping and differentiate their app from current market offerings. The SDK is currently available to iPhone® developers and will be available on the Linux, Symbian and Android platforms in 2011. The SDK is now available to all NN4D members for a ninety day free evaluation period at NN4D.com.

With Visioglobe's offering, application developers can control the 3D camera handling position and connect it to existing routing solutions and a compass to personalize their solution. Also, with the advanced image quality in the SDK (more than one million triangles per second) and fluidity (more than 20 images per second), developers can make the most of hardware-accelerated graphics on mobile devices. Additionally, the VisioDevKit allows developers to easily integrate additional content offerings into their app, such as routing, NAVTEQ's LocationPoint™ advertising, traffic, or other services from NAVTEQ or other content providers.

"With a growing portfolio of 3D visual content from NAVTEQ for vehicle and pedestrian navigation experiences, application developers will need the right tools to prepare themselves for a graphics-intense LBS future," said Marc Naddell, vice president, partner and developer programs, NAVTEQ. "With VisioDevKit, developers will be able to more effectively render 3D map data and location content offerings from NAVTEQ. We look forward to seeing a host of new 3D-enhanced apps created by the LBS community."

Visioglobe's technology is comprised of two parts. The first includes pre-processing tools for incorporating large amounts of data for on-board and off-board usage, and the other is the VisioDevKit with a real-time immersive, 3D geographical and urban visualization engine, thus enabling developers to create content rich 3D location-based applications.

"Visioglobe is pleased to be working with NAVTEQ to offer VisioDevKit to developers, thus enabling LBS developers to smoothly render the market's best 3D content from NAVTEQ and deliver flexibility in mobile applications," said Eric Bernard, chief executive officer, Visioglobe. "App developers are given the opportunity to use NAVTEQ's advanced content such as Enhanced 3D City Models and 3D Landmarks to create richer mapping and navigation experiences for the mobile user."

Visioglobe® won the Grand Prize for the 2010 NAVTEQ Global LBS Challenge® Asia-Pacific region, as well as the "Most Innovative Use of Graphics" special recognition award from Imagination Technologies for its application VisioStreet, developed using VisioDevKit. VisioStreet is a navigation software solution for major cities, powered by NAVTEQ® map data and NAVTEQ's Enhanced 3D City Models. Social networking features allow users to find points of interest, friends' photos, events and more in real time. More information about Visioglobe is available at www.visioglobe.com.

For a free 90-day evaluation license to VisioDevKit, visit www.NN4D.com/visiodevkit.

About NAVTEQ

NAVTEQ is the leading global provider of maps, traffic and location data (digital location content) enabling navigation, location-based services and mobile advertising around the world. NAVTEQ was founded in 1985 and now supplies comprehensive digital location content to power automotive navigation systems, portable and wireless devices, Internet-based mapping applications and government and business solutions. The Chicago-based company is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2010, proudly supported by approximately 5,100 employees located in 212 offices in 48 countries.

About NAVTEQ Network for Developers™

NAVTEQ Network for Developers (NN4D) is a dynamic web portal and global 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. NN4D includes resources such as mapping APIs, LBS content, point of interest data and routing information as well as geospatial platforms and tools from NAVTEQ and its partners. Members can rely on NN4D when creating GPS-based applications for the web, mobile phones, GIS and portable navigation devices that employ traffic, navigation, location content and location-based advertising for enterprise and consumer use. Connect with the people, tools and resources you need to build and market your location-enabled products by joining today at www.NN4D.com/joindevelopers.

About Visioglobe

Following an incubation path in partnership with the INRIA laboratory (National Institute of Computing and Automatic Control Engineering) and twice winner of the National competition of French R&D, Visioglobe was created at the end of 2007 by Philippe Poutignat (ENSTA Engineer, 16 years in Thales training), and Eric Bernard (EM Lyon MBA, 12 years in IT, Oracle, Fi-System, SQLI). Visioglobe® is an editor whose ambition is to revolutionize 3D visualization in the world biggest cities using real photographic data and real-time information. Visioglobe® greatest challenge is to bring the best ideas to life and contribute to the constant evolution of the 3D real world in order to provide to final users with what is best in terms of navigation experience and interactive 3D environments.

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SOURCE NAVTEQ