Free
downloadable maps from Nokia
Posted on Thursday, February 8th,
2007 at 5:07 pm under Symbian, Applications, Nokia,
Services, LBS |
Nokia today announced that it is making its smart2go
mapping and navigation platform, available for free download,
enabling millions of people to use the most comprehensive
map coverage offered on a mobile device. The platform
allows for mapping and routing in over 150 countries and
has support for full turn-by-turn satellite navigation
in over 30 countries. The application allows people to
view where they are on a map, search for points-of-interests
(POI) around them and create routes to get them there
free of charge. Nokia plans to start offering the smart2go
application for free, on Saturday, February 10th, for
selected Nokia S60 and Windows Mobile 5.0 devices initially
and has plans to roll out support for most of the major
mobile OS platforms including Nokia S60, Series 40, PocketPC,
Linux and other Windows Mobile devices.
Nokia plans to pre-install the smart2go mapping and
navigation application on all future Nokia Nseries multimedia
computers under the name "Nokia Maps". Current
owners of Nokia devices may also download Nokia Maps
to their supported devices. And now, by paring your
non-GPS enabled mobile device with a Nokia Wireless
GPS Module LD-3W or other compatible GPS module, Nokia
Maps can provide the same fantastic navigation experience
for a broad range of Nokia devices.
The platform contains over 15 million POIs that help
people explore the most interesting sights, restaurants
or accommodations around them. Customers can select
their favorite locations and send them to friends by
multimedia message, Bluetooth wireless technology, infrared
or e-mail. They can also send map excerpts and routes
or save map screen shots to the gallery on the device.
Recognized brand names like McDonald's will have the
option to place branded icons across the world's digital
maps downloaded onto millions of mobile devices.
smart2go is a hybrid map solution: Map data from Tele-Atlas
and Navteq can be downloaded directly via wireless network
(e.g. GPRS/3G/WLAN) and stored on the devices memory
card as needed. If all the desired map data is stored,
no network connection is needed for mapping, routing
and navigation. For managing downloads of bigger sizes
there is an additional PC desktop tool available.
smart2go comes with the option to upgrade to full fledged
turn-by-turn navigation. With just some clicks, customers
can turn their device into a voice guided navigation
system by purchasing a navigation license. There are
various licenses available: from a one week to a three
year term. When traveling to a new country for holiday
one can download the relevant maps via PC in advance
and subscribe to the navigation service for the duration
of the holiday at affordable cost.
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