IDC: Portable navigation market to soar

location based services
portable navigation devices

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FRAMINGHAM, Mass.

The portable navigation device market will nearly double in 2007 as prices drop, technology improves and public interest grows, said market research company IDC on Monday.

Portable navigation devices are the most popular segment of the consumer navigation market. They represent 62 percent of the worldwide market and have grown 93 percent over last year, IDC said.

IDC expects the entire consumer navigation market to grow by 53 percent worldwide in 2007, with Western Europe by far the largest regional market, followed by the U.S.

IDC also sees growing demand for portable navigation devices in Asia, and predicts the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing will spark their popularity in China.