Research In Motion acquires Dash Navigation

BlackBerry manufacturer Research In Motion confirmed it will acquire digital mapping solutions developer Dash Navigation. Financial terms were not disclosed. Dash Navigation shifted from the direct-to-consumer GPS hardware market to a software licensing model in late 2008--prior to the RIM acquisition, Dash secured $70 million in venture capital from investors including Crescendo Ventures, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers and Sequoia Capital.

While RIM has historically relied on operator partners and third-party software providers like Google to power its BlackBerry navigation services, the Dash acquisition could signal the device maker will begin developing its own location solutions, following a precedent established in late 2007 when rival Nokia acquired navigation software developer Navteq for $8.1 billion.

For more on the RIM/Dash Navigation deal:
- read this Red Herring article

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