Nokia Acquires Mapping Software Company gate5

location based services

Nokia and gate5 AG have announced an agreement for Nokia to acquire gate5. The company supplies mapping, routing and navigation software and services. By acquiring gate5, Nokia says it be able to offer consumers maps, routing, navigation and other location based applications on its mobile devices.gate5 was founded in 1999, is privately owned, has its headquarters in Berlin, Germany and has approximately 70 employees. gate5 provides software to personal navigation device manufacturers around the world. Nokia will continue to support gate5's PND (personal navigation device) customers. It will also continue to support gate5's multi-platform strategy for mobile devices, including Symbian, Linux, Windows Mobile, Palm and Java platforms. Large display personal devices such as the Nokia 770 Internet Tablet are perfect for maps and navigation purposes and by integrating the gate5 platform into these devices, Nokia can build the industry leading location experience for consumers.The acquisition of gate5 is an important step in developing the new product category of multimedia mobile devices (called Multimedia Computers by Nokia) that offer people multiple ways to connect to information, entertainment and other people.