The personal navigation device (PND) was one of the most popular consumer electronic products in 2006. PNDs provide driving directions, maps, and data relating to local points of interest. According to a recent In-Stat survey, 77% of respondents (n = 1,003) are interested in purchasing a PND, 19% of which are interested in purchasing a PND in the next 12 months. As a result of falling price points, increased promotion, and a growing demand for navigation, In-Stat expects 2007 to be yet another strong year for PND manufacturers.
However, PNDs, which range in price from US$200 to over $US1,000, are significantly more expensive than most mobile phones available today. This fact is important because 2007 is the year in which mapping and navigation applications truly arrive on mobile handsets. For approximately US$10 per month, handset navigation offers similar, if not superior, functionality as PNDs, yet at a lower price. If wireless service providers are able to effectively educate consumers about the benefits of handset navigation over PNDs, the mobile handset market will become the most viable threat to the dedicated PND market.
For more in-depth information regarding the overall PND market, refer to In-Stat's recent research titled Personal Navigation Devices: Worldwide Shipment Growth to Slow as Handset Navigation Arrives (#IN0703431ID). This report was recently published in In-Stat's Portable and Emerging Consumer Products (PECP) service.
For more in-depth information regarding the Handset Navigation Market, refer to In-Stat's recent research titled Mobile Handset Navigation Apps May Threaten Nav Device Market (#IN0703583MCM). This report was recently published in In-Stat's Mobile Consumer service.

These reports are available online at: http://www.instat.com/abstract.asp?id=27&SKU=IN0703431ID  and http://www.instat.com/abstract.asp?id=231&SKU=IN0703583MCM