TomTom says no plans to launch own-brand handsets

TomTom has no plans to launch its own-brand handsets, and instead, the company will continue to focus on the development of core software and further strengthen its content and services for in-car PNDs, according to a top executive of TomTom Asia.

While still concentrating on the PND market, the handset segment is a potential market for the personal navigation applications, said the executive, who also noted that TomTom will expand its cooperation with handset makers by providing needed solutions.

In Taiwan, TomTom is currently cooperating with High Tech Computer (HTC) and Asustek Computer for handset navigation solutions, the executive indicated.

For the manufacture of PND devices, TomTom is contracting the production evenly to Inventec Appliances and Quanta Computer, with nearly all parts and components coming from Taiwan vendors, said the executive.

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