Omnia HD to have Navteq on board.

NAVTEQ, the leading global provider of digital map, traffic and location data for in-vehicle, portable, wireless and enterprise solutions, announced that it has signed an agreement to supply NAVTEQ map data and content to Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world’s second largest mobile manufacturer.

Samsung Electronics will have access to all 76 countries in the NAVTEQ map database. The agreement also allows Samsung Electronics the rights to utilize NAVTEQ content including Visual Content, Speed Limits, Extended Lanes and NAVTEQ Discover Cities™.  This robust and comprehensive portfolio is designed to enhance navigation device functionality.

• Visual Content: enabling a better end-user sense of orientation when interacting with the device through a 3D display of prominent landmarks and 3D city models;
• Speed Limits:  facilitating improved arrival times, information about maximum road speed, and warnings to users of potential speed violations;
• Extended Lanes: expanding capabilities to guide end-users to the correct lane at complex junctions;
• NAVTEQ Discover Cities: enabling pedestrian orientation and navigation by foot and via public transit systems.

Samsung Electronics will launch the Samsung I8910 HD (OmniaHD) with NAVTEQ Map and content in Europe in May. The GPS-enabled Samsung I8910 HD will offer drivers an enriched navigation experience through enhanced visual content such as 3D landmarks and 3D city models. It also offers advanced navigation with speed limits and extended lanes. More uniquely with NAVTEQ Discover Cities on Samsung I8910 HD, urban travelers will be able to take full advantage of their surroundings and help them get from place to place with a variety of routing options.  Furthermore, the Samsung I8910 HD is incorporated with a social networking functionality which utilizes NAVTEQ map data and content. It allows users to find their friends online and determine the quickest way to route or walk to them. Users can also use the local POI search capability and find places recommended by their friends.

“By providing end users with intuitive, unrivaled mobile experience based on state-of-the-art technology, Samsung has remained as one of the leaders in mobile industry. This agreement with NAVTEQ will enable us to continually provide users with the most powerful mobile experience possible.” said Wonsik Lee, vice president of research & development planning and partnership, Samsung Electronics.

“We are very pleased to be selected as the map supplier to Samsung, one of the world’s leading handset manufacturers,” said Jeff Mize, executive vice president, sales, NAVTEQ.  “Samsung is focused on delivering a superior user experience, and NAVTEQ is uniquely positioned to support Samsung through innovative map content and leading edge location-based services.”

Does this mean that Samsung’s Omnia Hd will have two maps services to choose from? During the conference in Italy, Samsung told us that the price of the device will be 500 euros without Route 66 and 600 euros with the 2 year turn by turn subscription (link).