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Customize Ovi Maps With Your Own Voice

Mark Guim — Tue, 04 May 2010 14:50:23 +0000

Customized ringtones are cool, but customized voice navigation is even cooler! Nokia just launched Own Voice for Ovi Maps allowing their users to record and share their own navigation instructions from their device. Just record 53 commands, and then you’ll have your own voice pack.

The app will also let you browse other voice packs created by others by popularity or recommendation. Own Voice for Ovi Maps is available in English and supports the latest version that offers free lifetime walk and drive navigation.

I’d really like to see some celebrity voices in there. How about a T-Pain autotune voice navigator?

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Sygic Mobile Maps Now Available on Nokia N900 for Europe & USA

Mark Guim — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:01:53 +0000

Initially launched for Europe a few days ago, I noticed Sygic Mobile Maps for the Nokia N900 now support the US as well. It is the first turn-by-turn voice guided navigation application on Maemo. I’m a little surprised that Sygic was able to deliver their app before Nokia implemented voice navigation to their built-in Ovi Maps.

Here’s a video demo from Sygic:

So far, only the US and Europe are supported, and it appears you have to purchase them separately if you want both. It costs EUR 50 and 60 for US and Europe respectively. Sygic says on their website that further regions will be added and announced gradually.

I think it is a little expensive considering that Ovi maps for Symbian provides free worldwide navigation as well as Android offering free navigation in the US.

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Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition Firmware Updated to v40 – Feels Incomplete

Mark Guim — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:46:52 +0000

The Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition got a firmware update to software version 40.2.005, but it feels incomplete. Kinetic scrolling is not applied everywhere like in the Nokia N97 mini and the original N97. The new Ovi maps with free navigation isn’t included within the new firmware either, so you have another download to take care of if you haven’t installed it previously.

Heres a quick video of the firmware on the Nokia 5800 Nav edition. Some areas in the interface have kinetic scrolling like the phone settings. It could be confusing how to scroll through lists.

You can also watch this video in HD on Youtube. Subscribe to the channel to preview the latest videos before they get published on the blog.

The Nokia 5800 Nav is just like the regular version I reviewed previously, with the addition of a car mount and car charger. It initially came out with a lifetime license for navigation, but the newer version of Ovi Maps gave all supported models free navigation. You can watch the unboxing to see the contents.

I haven’t found any changelogs yet, but I’ll assume the new firmware also fixed some bugs and improved stability.

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Review: ProClip Car Mounts for Nokia N97 & N97 Mini Allow Typing With Keyboard

Mark Guim — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:05:38 +0000

If you know anyone else who makes better car mounts, let us know, because ProClip is definitely up there. The latest device holders they sent for me to review are for the Nokia N97 and N97 mini. Not only are the fit and build quality top-notch, but they also allow you to slide the devices open to use the keyboard if needed.

If you haven’t heard about ProClip yet, there are two parts to their solutions. The mounts are made specific to your vehicle and the holders are made specific to your devices. This ensures a perfect fit.

ProClip provides different types of holders depending on your need. For example, the holder for the Nokia N97 they sent already includes a car charger while the one for the N97 mini doesn’t. The ones with the charger cost more. What makes these holders stand out for me is that they secure the devices and also let me use the hardware keyboards. Nokia’s mounts do not allow you to open the sliders at all.

Since Nokia just gave away turn-by-turn voice navigation for free on their phones, you’re probably going to be using car navigation more frequently. You’ll need a mount thats dependable and won’t fall off your windshield after time or hitting bumps on the streets. ProClip provides a great product, but it comes with a hefty price, too. For example, the mount for my car and the holder for the Nokia N97 mini, plus shipping add up to at least $70.

More Photos

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Nokia Ovi Maps Downloaded More Than 1 Million Times After Free Navigation Announcement

Mark Guim — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:38:52 +0000

Nokia just announced that their new Ovi Maps with free walk and drive navigation have been downloaded 1.4 million times since it was launched on January 21st, 2010. “We’re averaging a download a second, 24 hours a day,” said Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia.

The top five countries downloading the new version of Ovi Maps were: China, Italy, UK, Germany and Spain. The top five most popular Nokia devices installing the download were: Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia N97 mini, Nokia N97, Nokia 5230 and Nokia E72. Ovi Maps covers more than 180 countries with car and pedestrian navigation for 74 countries, in 46 languages, and traffic information for more than 10 countries.

If you haven’t done it yet, the new Ovi Maps with free navigation can be downloaded from nokia.com/maps. Starting March, new smartphones from Nokia will have it pre-installed.

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Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition Unboxing Video

Mark Guim — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 20:10:30 +0000

I’ll have more impressions and write a review in the near future, but for now, feast your eyes on the Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition and my unboxing. There are a lot of things inside the box, but I managed to keep this video short and to the point. Take a look.

You can also watch this video in HD on Youtube. Subscribe to the channel to preview our latest videos before they get published on the blog.

The Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition did not include the new Ovi Maps with free worldwide navigation recently announced, so I’ll have to install it myself. The car holder looks sturdy, but I haven’t tried it on the road yet. More to come soon.

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Nokia Gives Away Free Worldwide Walk & Drive Navigation For New Ovi Maps

Mark Guim — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 08:00:30 +0000

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.