Nokia Gives Away Free Worldwide Walk & Drive Navigation For New Ovi Maps
Today’s big news from Nokia is that they’re making walk and drive navigation free on their smartphones with the new version of Ovi Maps. These features used to cost extra. The new Ovi Maps is immediately available for download at nokia.com/maps for 10 Nokia handsets, including the popular Nokia N97 mini, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic and Nokia E72, with more Nokia smartphones expected to be added in the coming weeks.
Nokia devices with built-in GPS releasing after March 2010 will include the new version of Ovi Maps, pre-loaded with local country map data, with high-end walk and drive navigation and access to Lonely Planet and Michelin travel guides at no extra cost.
Screenshots
Navigation and 3D maps on Ovi Maps
Lonely Planet and Michelin guide on Ovi Maps
Nokia is aiming to make the best maps with voice guided navigation available worldwide for free. The new Ovi Maps will support turn-by-turn voice guidance for 74 countries in 46 languages, and traffic information for over 10 countries, as well as detailed maps for over 180 countries at no extra cost. I think that’s a big challenge to Android and Google who are offering free Google Maps Navigation, but only officially in the United States on phones that run Android 1.6 and higher.
“Why have a mobile phone and a separate car navigation system that works in only one country or region,” asked Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President of Nokia. “Put the two together, make it free, make it global and you have something that is truly useful and can help you get round almost any city in the world whether you’re on foot or driving.”
I was also surprised to see that some regions now support text-to-speech. This means the supported Nokia devices can tell its users the name of the exit or street. Go ahead. Try it out.
Traxex on 21 January 2010:
Nice one
I just hope its comming to my N900 fast
araavi on 21 January 2010:
This is great news. This is what is required for Nokia to attract more customers towards it's products as well as to retain existing customers.
saamimatloob on 21 January 2010:
nice..
facebook-678432941 on 21 January 2010:
This is great news, now I only have to wait for the N900 to be included in the list XD
leod_uk on 21 January 2010:
err…..where is N97 original support!!!!
Big Dave on 21 January 2010:
Brilliant news!!! Wonder how long it'll take them to do the N97 and N900 both of which I have
Sebastian on 21 January 2010:
Fantastic. I was waiting for something like that. Bought the walk license a while ago and it's great. I hope the N85 will soon be added.
thewinchesterau on 21 January 2010:
Sorry, but its another fail from Nokia. Nice idea, but they leave out the owners of their flagship handset from the initial release – and they're the one group of people who have loud voices, wide circles of influence, and are most annoyed by the company.
So yes, good one Nokia – shaft us N97 users again.
yamma on 21 January 2010:
Nokia maps are better then google maps. here i would like to recommend people to visit the site < a href=”http://www.unlock-zone.com”>UNlock-zone.com to unlock nokia phones.
Traxex on 21 January 2010:
Support for the N97 will be added soon.
But im rly not sure if they are going to release it for maemo 5 :/ Many ppl on maemo.org are very uncertain about this.
juka on 21 January 2010:
Nokia please don't leave the N900 in the cold for too long.
Antonio on 21 January 2010:
And for N97? When?!
Why N97 users, it's not a very cheap terminal, we are discriminated?
With the N97 all have been problems for me….
FireIce on 21 January 2010:
I'm surprised at the list of devices they rolled this out to first. Not N97 or N85? Are they crazy? I was just last week looking at Ovi maps 3.0 and decided it was worthless without turn-by-turn navigation which was too expensive. I'm not sold on Nokia apps and there are other, cheaper map apps out there that will work on my phone.
Justin C. on 21 January 2010:
No love for the N900 … one more reason to get a Nexus One.
Martin Luther on 22 January 2010:
Yes i believe this too
free-acai-berry-trials.com
Adrian on 22 January 2010:
we can track the direction with a mobile???? its great new for new persons who are entering into city..
Marlon on 9 March 2010:
I want it on N85
Frank on 17 March 2010:
Nothing yet for the N85. I have only had troubles with the N85, this could have been some redemption for it.
animesh on 26 May 2010:
i want it on my nokia n73
animesh on 26 May 2010:
i want it on my nokia n73
Android Game on 14 June 2010:
Oh this topic… Nokia please do not 't leave the N900 in the cold too long. Nice to visit your site. Wish you post another good topic like this. I will wait to read it.
petri on 2 July 2010:
Amazing this does not apply to my nokia E75…
Car DVD GPS on 15 August 2010:
I'm not sold on Nokia apps and there are other, cheaper map apps out there that will work on my phone.