GPS market at turning point with sliding prices, demand off

By TOBY STERLING, Associated Press Writer, Technology / Other

A woman using a cell phone walks past tourists looking at a city map in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Wednesday, April 23, 2008. Some analysts believe that as stand-alone GPS devices are overtaken by cell phones and other devices with navigation technology built in, GPS devices will become low-margin commodity products, like pocket calculators. (AP Photo/Peter DeJong)

(AP) -- Consumer navigation devices have gone from expensive gadgets to mainstream gear in just three years, but Europe's largest maker is struggling. The experience of Netherlands-based TomTom NV - which saw earnings fall 83 percent in the first quarter - suggests the market for stand-alone global-positioning systems is at a turning point.

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