Nokia and German automobile companies Audi, BMW, and Daimler could sign the billion deal in the following days, several reports have said. The tech firm's digital mapping and cloud technology, Nokia Here, is reportedly being purchased, jointly, by the three auto companies.
The service will be incorporated in the automobiles. According to reports, Audi is encouraging other car companies to have a stab at the joint purchase and Nokia Here, as well. The car company and Nokia have yet to comment on the issue. Daimler and BMW have both declined to say something regarding the deal.
PC World has indicated that German publication, Manager Magazin, and other separate published information regarding the deal have one anonymous source. Uber has been rumored to drop out of the joint deal when it was at its bidding stage weeks ago.
Nokia Here has announced on Monday that it will make its maps available on sections of public roads in some countries, so that the technology can be used for car testing, for self-driving vehicles. The service can also help motorists. Here combines digital mapping and cloud technologies, with the service making high definition maps, and allowing storage for easy access and navigation.
Nokia has purchased Navteq, a navigation service, in 2007. It reportedly cost the company billion. The technology has since been integrated in Nokia Here. Nokia is said to be expecting to get billion from the deal with the three automobile makers.
The billion may not cover the entire development process of Here, but the deal secures the service's transition to wireless equipment manufacturing, said Greg Sterling, vice president for strategy and insights at Local Search Association.
The three automobile companies are set to go against each other with the integration of the jointly purchased technology. How they will differentiate their cars, above the service they all use, leaves much to be seen.
