Nokia navigates the Middle East market with first ever Arabic GPS system for mobile devices from Navicore

"Navicore Personal" will work in close conjunction with the Nokia LD-3W GPS receivers which can be connected to many of Nokia's handheld devices, and will make use of NAVTEQ's mapping efforts for the GCC. Among its many unique and market leading features Navicore Personal is also the first Arabic-speaking navigator for Mobile devices. Never before has the Arabic market for handset navigation devices been so directly served.

"Our agreement with Navicore allows us to continue to be at the forefront of mobile technology as well as serve the linguistic needs of the Arabic market," said Zsolt Menesi, Director, Multimedia Experiences, Middle East Africa, Nokia.

"Navicore Personal's navigation application is compatible with over 30 Nokia phones and devices is a further demonstration of Nokia's commitment towards consumers in this region and reflects that company's understanding of consumers' needs and requirements. Now Middle East users of our GPS systems can get directions in the language they are most comfortable with, be it English or Arabic,"

added Menesi.

Besides having the ability to communicate to the user in Arabic, the new application is designed specifically to be an easy-to-use mobile navigation system. Guidance is clear and concise both vocally and visually. Navicore Personal will run on Nokia's connected devices using S60, S80 and Nokia LD-3W GPS receiver.

"The navigation application will give to people the ability to know where they are wherever they may be," added Menesi. "It's a reflection of the growing sophistication of this market and its consumers that this application is now readily available."

Navicore Personal also features extremely fast routing capabilities with either the fastest or the shortest route displayed for a user, and automatic re-routing in case the user strays from the route or the road is blocked ahead. Pedestrian, cycling and car navigation modes are also available. An extensive point-of-interest directory includes thousands of gas stations, hotels, restaurants, parking facilities and many more, together with phone numbers, web pages and direct dialing support. There is also on-line support for downloadable points-of-interest databases.

Navicore Personal and Navteq mapping is compatible with most of Nokia's devices, including N70, N73, N80 and the E61. In addition, the Nokia Multimedia Car Kit CK-20W allows the Navicore Personal with NAVTEQ mapping to have GPS continuity whether they are walking or driving. Customers who use the Nokia Multimedia Car Kit can simply connect their phone to it, and immediately have a GPS system for their car. The entire kit makes for hands free GPS navigation that can guide a traveler to any destination as he or she drives. Navicore Personal's voice instructions enable a driver to reach a destination in no time at all, without having to take their hands off the wheel.

Navicore Ltd. is one of the premier suppliers of solutions for the booming navigation industry, and is a member of the Forum Nokia PRO and PRO Enterprise Zone premium developer programs for Nokia.

NAVTEQ map coverage for the region, gives Nokia GPS systems unparalleled accuracy of the streets and highways of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman. NAVTEQ databases powered more map enabled devices than any other solution in Europe and North America, making it the leading map developer for the world's consumer GPS systems. NAVTEQ maps span 58 countries and six continents, all with the same consistent high level of support and quality, making the company's Middle East mapping efforts the logical choice for Nokia devices in the region.