GPS Tuner, a Budapest, Hungary based developer of off-road navigation software has just announced a new version of its navigation package now called GPS Tuner Atlas. It includes innovations such as real Global satellite imagery by DigitalGlobe, 3D Digital Elevation, custom map calibration and street level map data by Tele Atlas.

We took the opportunity of this launch to ask a few questions to Tamas Frigyes, CEO at GPS Tuner.

GPS Business New: you have just launched a new version of GPS Tuner, what does differentiate your application on the market today?
Tamas Frigyes: GPS Tuner Atlas offers global Satellite Imagery from DigitalGlobe within the combination of multiple content layers optimized for outdoor usage all independent from cellular network coverage. The application is operating completely on-board at present. Various off-road content in conjunction with our smoothly performing 3D engine and a robust set of dedicated tools elevates outdoor navigation experience to a next level which we see as setting new standards in this specific market segment.

GPS BN: local, precise topo maps are important for this kind of applications, what do you offer at that level?
TF: We have just launched a 1:50,000 scale topographic add-on coverage of Full Germany. We are in advanced phase of finalizing agreements for similar products for France, UK and Austria. Over the next few months our aim is to broaden our content portfolio to a real global selection of Detailed Maps. Along this process we will soon be able to offer topographic content for North America and hopefully places like New Zealand and Australia as well.

GPS BN: You are launching the application on Windows Mobile, although it seems this operating system is not gaining much traction these days, do you have plan to port your software to other platforms?
TF: Windows Mobile is the first step on our journey of a thousand miles. We are already able to offer GPS Tuner on Windows CE platform which is not a surprise after Windows Mobile. Our team is currently in the process of setting priorities for porting to various other platforms and adopting the business models that power their ecosystems. We are definitely interested to present our solution for iPhones, Android devices and possibly some other mobile operating systems. I certainly hope we can provide a more definite roll-out plan within a month or two.

GPS BN: What about distribution: app stores, wireless operators?
TF: At the moment we rely on our on-line distributors. The biggest challenge has always been delivering the vast amount of content over the air. Apart from working on growing the regular on-line reseller channel we have taken steps to modularize our software and data delivery workflow. As a result we will be able to offer products OTA in mobile application stores in-line with porting the application to other platforms as mentioned earlier. We are ready to work with wireless operators and we can implement their delivery methods if needed. As we are becoming more and more recognized we are getting more interest for OEM type embedded solutions from dedicated device manufacturers and distributors too.