HTC is partnering with TomTom to make the navigation features on its smartphones better.
You may be asking why the company needs to do this, as many of its best-selling Android phones come with Google Maps and Google Navigation for the heavy lifting on location but the handset maker is trying to offer its own mapping programs with HTC Locations.
HTC Locations offers customized instant mapping without the need to download mapping data and the deal with TomTom will include the navigation company’s detail-rich maps.
“I am very pleased to be providing HTC customers with TomTom’s accurate location and navigation content on their phones wherever they are. The beauty of it is that the maps are preloaded and instantly available at users’ fingertips. For the first time, this makes the power of TomTom navigation content available ‘in-pocket’ for HTC smartphone users,” said Maarten van Gool, managing director of TomTom licensing, in a prepared statement.
The Locations with TomTom service will be available on the Desire HD and the Desire Z at first and it is expected to come to future HTC smartphones.
It’s interesting to watch the handset maker dive more into services, as its HTCsense.com will now offer an online way for users to store, manage and back up their handset’s content. Essentially, the company is trying to make itself and its brand stickier to the consumer and this will make it more difficult to switch.