Microsoft has extended its current contract with mapping data specialist Navteq in a deal that provides the company with two sources of traffic and routing data: Inrix and Navteq. According to Navteq, they are the preferred provider of traffic information, with Inrix adding redundancy to Microsoft's mapping services, ensuring seamless mapping data for all of Microsoft's location-based services.

Navteq currently supply mapping data to Garmin, which Microsoft are rumoured to be thinking about buying. Although this latest announcement doesn't shed any further light on this rumour, it at least signals Microsoft's commitment to the navigation market.

However, Microsoft are remaining tight-lipped about their plans for future GPS devices, commenting only on their plans for mapping applications on the Web.

"NAVTEQ brings a commitment to traffic data innovation that Microsoft shares," said Erik Jorgensen, General Manager for Virtual Earth and Live Search Maps at Microsoft. "Its traffic information brings the most accurate real-time and historical data and, when combined with our own proprietary content, represents some of the most compelling traffic offerings on the Web."

Yes, but what use is Web-based traffic info when you're hurtling along the M25 at 70mph?!

[Source: GPSLodge]