Berlin-based Plazes enables mobile users to "plan, record, and share their social activities using various navigation aids, including GPS location, MAC address of networks, and Wi-Fi access", according to a description in informationweek.com.

As the global leader in mobile handset sales, analysts say this move will beef up the company's strategy to provide users with "Nokia-branded entertainment options and will offer features like music, gaming, and social networking on mobile phones and smartphones" ? and of course, direct competition to the Apple iPhone and its App Store.

This Plazes deal fits neatly into Nokia's acquisition of Navteq in 2007, upon which it will be "laying its mobile navigation and social networking features", according to informationweek.com.