[Satellite Today – 1-28-08] Handset-based navigation devices will reach an annual sales volume of more than 96 million units by 2012, according to a new report from ABI Research.
    Navigation device sales continue to outperform the industry’s expectations and forecasts, with the 2007 holiday season illustrating that the U.S. market is catching up to Europe in its embrace of navigation, particularly personal navigation devices such as in-car navigation devices, according to “Consumer Navigation Devices and Systems.”
    The market remains characterized by a high rate of innovation, including real-time connectivity, multimedia functionality and community and social networking features along with enhanced integration into the car environment. “But consolidation and fallout is accelerating in light of recent announcements from Cobra and ViaMichelin, who intend to quit the standard [personal navigation devices] market,” Dominique Bonte, ABI Research principal analyst, said in a statement.