Garmin Signs LBS Deal With GyPSii

Personal Navigation Device (PND) maker Garmin has signed a multi-year deal with GyPSii, an Amsterdam-based provider of geo-location and mobile social networking services. The main purpose of the deal is assumed to be the inclusion of GyPSii's applications in Garmin's Nuvifone, the firms first consumer phone planned for later this year.

GyPSii's technology currently includes a range of location-specific functions such as mobile search, user generated content-sharing and social networking, sort of like Facebook for mobile phones. The firms' also plan to develop a friend finding application. The deal is non-exclusive, meaning GyPSii is free to sell its applications to other PND makers.

GyPSii currently runs on Symbian, Windows Mobile, and BlackBerry devices, as well as the Apple iPhone, along with browser-based Internet connected devices.