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TomTom, which makes navigation devices for cars and mapping software for handheld computers, says its users will be able to search for business addresses on Google Maps and transfer them to their TomTom device.

"This cooperation represents a major step for TomTom in meeting the growing demands of our customers for personalised content for their TomTom devices," says Eric Pite, vice president for product management at TomTom.

TomTom says users can transfer information to their devices when they are connected to the internet with a single mouse click and then view the location on their TomTom. The company says it will continue to explore partnerships with third parties to expand the personalisation options it offers.

The

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tie-up will allow, for example, TomTom users to plan a city trip by searching for accommodation, restaurants or museums using GoogleMaps on their computer and then transfer the places they want to visit to their TomTom device.

TomTom's devices include "points of interest" - such as restaurants, petrol stations and parking garages - but if a user has not regularly bought map upgrades, such data can become out of date.

Industry experts have also argued that consumers usually do not sit in their cars using a navigation system to plan trips, and are much more likely to use their computers at home, where they have full internet access.

TomTom expects a substantial number of devices sold next year to be online and receiving real-time traffic information and eventually other services over wireless networks.

These services could help TomTom fend off a challenge from handset makers such as Nokia, which are increasingly building global positioning technology into phones.

Nokia, the world's largest handset maker, signaled in October this month it was serious about GPS by offering to pay $8.1 billion to take over digital map maker Navteq.