In a press release on Monday, NAVTEQ announced the availability of a new service that will allow retail merchants direct access to the NAVTEQ database to update information related to their locations. Dubbed NAVTEQ Direct Access, this service will enable companies like Starbucks, Walgreens, and other to make real time updates to the data every time they open or close a location. Now JAVA crazed people will have a chance to find a closer Starbucks to get their fix, as Starbucks opens another 2,400 stores next year.
I found this news release interesting for two reasons. 1. How will users of a PND get updates? I guess they will come loaded on the new cards/CDs that consumers will have to buy to get the updates. I wonder if NAVTEQ is considering a model to get the merchants to pay for the updates decreasing the update downside of standalone PNDs. Alas, there is probably too much profit in those razor blades...I mean update CDs. 2. Will this lead to advertising in PNDs? If merchants are granted access to update their information, could they update it with coming soon messages - a form of advertising? Will they be granted categorical advertising access? hmmm...this one could get interesting.
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