Nokia plans to release new version of OVI maps for smart phones as well as it includes free turn-by-turn walk and drive satellite navigation, currently Nokia plans to release this for phones running on Symbian series 60 mobile phones. According to Nokia, this new version supports in 74 countries with turn-by-turn voice guidance, support for 46 languages, detailed maps of more than 180 countries, and traffic information for 10 countries.
The main features includes,
- Free Drive navigation
- Free Walk navigation
- Free maps and map updates
- Free Events guides
- Free Lonely Planet guides
- Free Michelin guides
Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia explained, “Why have multiple devices that work that work in only one country or region? Put it all together, make it free, make it global and you almost double the potential size of the mobile navigation market ” he also added, “Nokia is the only company with a mobile navigation service for both drivers and pedestrians that works across the world. Unlike the legacy car navigation manufacturers, we don’t make you buy maps for different countries or regions even if you’re only visiting for a few days. We offer both navigation and maps free of charge, with all the high-end functionality and features that people now expect.”
At the end of 2009, approximately 27 million Nokia phone owners using GPS navigation on their mobile phones worldwide. With this announcement, Nokia expect to grow user base to about 50 million. Nokia will further grow this base as it quickly adds more smart phones to the compatible devices list.
Nokia acquired Navteq navigation service and maps in 2007 and now it is available to download on Nokia OVI application store. This new version also added access to Lonely Planet guide over 1000 destinations and Michelin travel guide for restaurants, hotels, and nightlife.
“This is a game changing move. By leveraging our NAVTEQ acquisition, and our context sensitive service offering, we can now put a complete navigation system in the palm of your hand, wherever in the world you are, whenever you need it – and at no extra cost,” continued Anssi Vanjoki. “By adding cameras at no extra cost to our phones we quickly became the biggest camera manufacturer in the world. The aim of the new Ovi Maps is to enable us to do the same for navigation.”
Currently Nokia N97 mini, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition, Nokia E52, Nokia E55, Nokia E72, Nokia 5230, Nokia 6710 Navigator, Nokia 6730 classic and Nokia X6 supports Ovi maps. For more information visit, http://www.nokia.com/maps
