Author – Mary Beth Lowell – Communications Manager

Sprint_navigation_on_the_samsung_inIn a report published last week, market research firm Berg Insight stated that it predicts the number of active GPS navigation subscribers on cell phones to reach 30 million in North America by 2014.

Additionally, the firm forecasts subscribers in Europe to reach 40 million, actually overtaking usage in North America.

The latter is quite interesting considering Europe has been much slower than North America in offering GPS-enabled cell phones.

In the report, Berg analysts state that while personal navigation devices (PNDs) still dominate the industry, more and more cell phone owners are discovering mapping and navigation solutions on their phones.

The report also cites the availability (through the wireless connection) of real-time data like traffic, gas prices and weather as one of the reasons for increased adoption of navigation on cell phones.

That said, Berg contends that multiple types of navigation solutions and devices are likely to "co-exist" in the future – meaning there will be sufficient demand for both PNDs and cell phone-based solutions. In fact, the authors of the report say they may be complimentary – each having their own purpose depending on the consumer.

What do you think? Do you think PNDs or in-car navigation systems will continue to thrive? Do you think you might use both at some point?