RIM predicts the death of sat-nav devices and TomTom

Posted by Rhiain Morgan on Wed 22 Oct 2008

Turn right into Death Valley

Peering into its tech crystal ball, Blackberry creators RIM placed its bet that the likes of TomTom and Navman devices will become tech Dodos within a couple of years.

In an exclusive interview with T3, a RIM spokesperson commented that sat-nav devices will be replaced with software solutions on mobile phones. Garmin has already confirmed a dabble into the mobile phone market with its muchly anticipated Nuvifone, but the smartphone super power believes that mobiles will become your sat-nav saviors.

Highlighting the importance of convergence, the RIM spokesperson told us that "maps on mobile phones are continuously improving, with GPS or assisted GPS coming as standard now on most smart phones, there's no need for specific devices for navigation, your mobile can do it for you. GPS is the next big thing on your mobile and the likes of TomTom and Navman are perfectly placed to make great map apps"

So that's ta-ta to TomTom devices, but keep them in a box though, as they could be worth a mint on Antiques Roadshow in a few years' time.

Link: BlackBerry