The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has published an Open Positioning Framework (OPF) which is a set of standards and protocols which will help reduce the time and costs involved in developing and deploying Mobile Positioning and Analytics Services (MPAS) and enable more businesses in various sectors to reap the benefits of location-based services.

ORBCOMM Inc has completed the acquisition of Comtech Mobile Datacom Corporation’s (Comtech) Sensor Enabled Notification System (SENS) operation, which includes satellite hardware, network technology and web platforms. SENS is a market leader in providing one-way satellite products and services to more than 20,000 subscribers worldwide. www.orbcomm.com

Microsoft and Nokia have decided to enter into a transaction whereby Microsoft will purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business, license Nokia’s patents, and license and use Nokia’s mapping services. Microsoft will pay EUR 3.79 billion to purchase substantially all of Nokia’s Devices & Services business…

NNG and Ayana Navigation Solutions (ANS) have jointly introduced a new Personal Navigation Device (PND) called the ANS Navigator A-501. This new offering has been designed to find a way over the problems faced by commuters in India due to our rather ‘unique’ infrastructure. The device has a 5-inch screen that runs on NNG’s iGO primo software. It is pre-loaded with the latest India maps and a total of over 7 million Points of Interest (POIs). The unit comes with a 1-year map update guarantee from NNG’s update portal Naviextras. www.zigwheels.com

Mercedes-Benz Research & Development North America (MBRDNA) is working on a way to take advantage of the Google’s newest GPS-equipped device: Google Glass.

Nokia has announced some details on the HERE Venue Maps available for Nokia Lumia devices and Bing Maps. It now features 49,000 buildings in 45 countries. This doesn’t only include shopping malls, but also stadiums, theme parks, historic streets, or other outdoor spaces, such as Carnaby Village and golf clubs. Nokia claims to create precise Venue…

ST-Ericsson has sold its GPS mobile business to Intel.ST-Ericsson, which focuses on mobile and wireless chips, announced the sale without naming the buyer. An Intel spokesman later said the US chipmaker bought the assets. http:// articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/

Handheld Group has started shipping its new Algiz 10X rugged tablet PC for  eld professionals. It is a rugged tablet computer that is lightweight and built to withstand the harsh conditions that come with all kinds of industry  eldwork, and that can display detailed maps and other visuals even in bright sunlight. It has also started shipping the new version Algiz XRW rugged notebook. www.handheldgroup.com

Tokyo-headquartered Kaga Electronics has integrated u-blox’ high-speed UMTS modem technology into their U130-KG wireless 3G air-interface card. The card is designed for machines, PoS terminals, meters, signage and security systems used throughout Japan. It integrates u-blox’ LISA-U130 UMTS/HSPA module to deliver lightning-fast wireless performance: 7.2 Mb/s download and 5.76 Mb/s upload speeds. www.u-blox.com

Fujitsu exhibited a prototype of its GPS-enabled walking stick at Mobile World Congress recently in Barcelona. The futuristic stick is aimed at getting older people out of the house, but would be equally at home slung over the arm of an Apple hipster while their iPod Nikes are in the wash. The user can configure their route on a PC before downloading it to the stick via Bluetooth. As you tap along the street, a display on the top of the stick shows you when to turn – removing the need to muck about with smartphone maps while you’re trying to pay attention to your surroundings. www.theregister.co.uk