In case you didn't hear Nokia made Nokia Maps 2.0 available for the masses. Before anybody was free to try out the beta version which was for testing purposes.
Downloaded over 240,000 times since announced in February, Nokia Maps 2.0 has improved its optional Car Navigation, enhanced its pedestrian navigation, added multimedia city guides, now offers satellite images, and is sporting a redesigned user interface. Nokia's mapping and navigation solutions give people navigation features, local content and world maps directly on their mobile device, in a way that only connected devices can.
A partial list of the updated features in Nokia Maps 2.0 includes:
DRIVE:
- Improved optional Car Navigation equals PND-level car navigation experience with faster routing.
- Easy-to-use, updated User Interface features including a new navigation carousel with pre-defined navigation views - i.e. navigation, arrow, bird-eye.
- Top-of-the-line navigation features: signposts, multi-stop route planner
WALK:
- Optional pedestrian navigation efficiently walks you from A to B with visual guidance. It helps you to locate yourself by giving information about the surrounding buildings, streets and parks and, if the device supports it, notifies the direction you are walking.
- Nokia Maps 2.0 includes public transportation information (station entrances) data in 17 cities with localized icons for stops.
- Advanced multi-sensor positioning using A-GPS, and pedestrian orientation using the compass feature (Nokia 6210 Navigator needed for built-in compass usage)
DISCOVER:
- Satellite images with hybrid rendering overlays for selected cities worldwide provide real aerial views on your mobile.
- Signature "one-box search" allows you to search through places, addresses, restaurants, nightlife, outdoor, accommodation.
- New premium multi-media city guides including features photos, video, audio streams.
Nokia Maps 2.0 uses vector maps provided by Navteq and TeleAtlas, Nokia Maps now has maps covering over 200 countries, with over 70 of them navigable. Maps can be downloaded over the air directly to selected devices or by using the Nokia Map Loader on a PC. A new beta version of the Nokia Map Loader is available on the Nokia Beta labs web site.
Like I mentioned over at Symbian Addict the other day I am more a fan of Google Maps, but I can understand why people would like Nokia Maps better. The turn by turn directions are much better along with the option for voice navigation, which is subscription based. Plus you can preload Nokia Maps onto your memory card and use the application anytime without having to use data. Great for those without a good data plan.
When you install this new version you don't need to delete the old one, it will just be overwritten. You might run into problems trying first delete the old version. Just allow the installer to replace the old version.
Also for people that have a free voice nav trial with their new N82, the license will be automatically carried over so you don't have to worry about losing it.
Which do you prefer? Nokia Maps or Google Maps. Personally I think it's good to have both installed on the phone. Both are good for various situations.
Visit http://www.maps.nokia.com/ to download the new Nokia Maps 2.0, and check out the Maps Loader while your at it.
3 comments:
I find the user interface/menu system on the Maps still confusing and complex. The search box returned "no results found" when I typed in an address without any commas. You cannot start typing with number "1" it appears.
Also, how do I get turn by turn directions _without voice navigation_? Or is a simple list of turns to take also a subsciption service? I did manage to get a route displayed on the map (after figuring out how to add route points.. why not just have "directions" with two address to put in like Google Maps does) and then go back and fort in it with d-pad up and down, but I'd like a list view as well (as in Google Maps).
Btw, I got my N82 on Friday (LOVE IT) and the box says 3 months free navigation.. how the hell do I activate it? When I go to the subsciption menu (the instructions on the flyer in the box refer to menu options that do not exist.. phhh...) it says its checking for free licences but returns nothing.. ARRGGG!!!
I've used other navigation software on the N82 called Nav4All which is 100% free with voice guides. Not the prettiest software around but it work.
@ Viipottaja,
I also don't like the interface of Nokia Maps. It's not good for on the fly navigation. Did you find how to activate the navigation yet?
@ James,
I tried that application. I just don't like java applications, they don't run smooth. But your right that does do the job for being free.
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