Nokia last week kicked off its plan to build GPS-based satellite navigation technology onto its N-series "multimedia computer" handsets with the acquisition of German route-planning software developer Gate5.

Gate5 has produced route-planning software since the late 1990s and has developed software for several platforms including in-car solutions for Volkswagen and Daimler-Chrysler. However, it's the smart2go software for Symbian smart phones that sparked Nokia's interest in the company.

Nokia multimedia chief Anssi Vanjoki said the smart phone-based satellite navigation market hasn't developed as quickly as Nokia had hoped. Interestingly, Nokia pledge to continue developing solutions for other platforms besides its own Symbian-based operating systems.

Nokia said it will release a Gate5-produced navigation software update for the Nokia 770 internet tablet, although this will require the puraches of a separate GPS unit. ®