> it appears that they were a leader in car navigation systems. Not sure if MS considered that when doing the takeover and not sure whether they took it over.
The navigation systems business was a separate entity. Like a third pillar of the company together with communication networks and mobiles. It was amalgamated from Berlin based startup Gate5 and Chicago based NAVTEQ. As a result Nokia N95 was the first (correct me?) smartphone on the market with navigation. Later on during the MS takeover they branched out as HERE.
The navigation systems business was a separate entity. Like a third pillar of the company together with communication networks and mobiles. It was amalgamated from Berlin based startup Gate5 and Chicago based NAVTEQ. As a result Nokia N95 was the first (correct me?) smartphone on the market with navigation. Later on during the MS takeover they branched out as HERE.
source: I worked there (in here)