RIM acquiring Dash?

Dash Navigation has been acquired, without fanfare, by BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, according to GPS Business News. The site claims to have learned the information from a trusted source, who also comments that negotiations are essentially finished. Neither RIM nor Dash have spoken up to confirm or deny any talk of acquisition.

Absorption could be mutually beneficial for both companies, however. While RIM has integrated GPS into several BlackBerries, the company is not known for its navigation technology, which has generally been eclipsed by offerings from Nokia. Dash has meanwhile been suffering financially, having been forced to lay off workers and abandon hardware in favor of selling its software platform. Dash products have been heavily based on Internet connectivity, with options for live search and uploading customized maps. Future BlackBerries could as a result gain extra navigation functions.

By Electronista Staff