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nokiamaps posts

Ovi Maps graduates from beta

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 2nd 2009 @ 10:20AM

Following a beta kickoff late last year, Ovi Maps -- the latest iteration of Nokia Maps -- is now final and ready for download. It's a pretty big upgrade from the product it replaces, bringing 3D landmarks, higher-resolution satellite imagery available in both 2D and 3D modes, a wider variety of point-of-interest information for destinations, integrated weather forecasts, enhanced pedestrian and automotive turn-by-turn navigation modes, and -- a biggie for yankees -- real-time traffic information for the US. It's a big, worthwhile spec bump, and by our count, it's currently compatible with 26 S60-based Nokia devices; owners of some recent phones (the E51, for example) will be disappointed to see that they're being left behind in the old Nokia Maps realm, but who knows -- maybe some sweet-talking (or fit-throwing) would help the situation.

Nokia jumps out of thin air, acquires bit-side

by Darren Murph posted Jan 29th 2009 @ 12:17AM

Can't say we saw this one coming. Out of seemingly nowhere, Nokia has up and acquired a privately held Berlin-based professional services and software company with 39 employees. As part of the agreement, Nokia will take on "substantially all assets of bit-side GmbH," and for some unexplained reason, that move will enable Nokia to "strengthen and accelerate its mobile development for Nokia Maps." According to Michael Halbherr, vice president and head of social location at Nokia: "Acquiring bit-side enables Nokia to offer consumers the world-leading mobile location applications, such as Maps, along with routing and navigation at an accelerated speed." It's stated that bit-side will be wrapped into Nokia's Services unit, but honestly, we're still left mostly in the dark as to what this all means. Dark and inscrutable, just how we like it.

[Via MobilityUpdate]

Nokia Maps gets upgraded, Messaging hits most devices

by Darren Murph posted Dec 2nd 2008 @ 8:27AM

The news is flowing hot and heavy from Barcelona, and the latest succulent tidbits to land in our laps are these. First up, a fresh version of Nokia Maps is on tap, which includes "a number of new features such as high-resolution aerial images, 3D landmarks for 216 cities and terrain maps, as well as a new route overview during routing and during Drive, the purchasable turn-by-turn car navigation guidance." Furthermore, users will find new options such as access to real time information (camera alerts, safety spots, traffic information, etc.) and Wcities event guides that give real time information for events and movies in over 450 destinations. Next is Nokia Messaging -- which is bringing popular IM services to the majority of Nokia handsets -- and Mail on Ovi, which enables PC users to "create and access Ovi email accounts as well as gain cross access to other Ovi services with just a single sign-on account." Plunge into the links below for more details on each.

Read - Nokia Maps update
Read - Mail / Messaging

Gallery: Nokia Maps gets upgraded, Messaging hits most devices

Nokia brings firmware update to North American E71

by Darren Murph posted Nov 25th 2008 @ 5:32PM

Although it's running a few days behind the European update, we suppose late always trumps never when it comes to refreshed firmware. As of now, Americans can suck down v110.07.127 for their E71-2 in order to take advantage of a smattering of bug fixes. Most notably, users should see Nokia Email updates as well as "a new update to Mail For Exchange and Nokia Maps, both of which are pre-installed." As always, we'd highly recommend backing everything up before doing the deed, but if you're feeling froggy, jump.

[Via Symbian-Guru]

Nokia brings minor firmware updates to E66 and E71

by Darren Murph posted Nov 15th 2008 @ 2:40PM

If you've got absolutely no complaints with your E66 or E71, you could just leave better off alone and forget that you ever read this. If you've got beef, however, we'd suggest hitting the read link pronto. Nokia has just unloaded a new firmware update for both of the aforementioned mobiles which includes new versions of Mail For Exchange and Nokia Maps. Additionally, the updates provide "a number of performance improvements including camera viewfinder orientation, Mail for Exchange synchronization and browsing." Thankfully, it seems as if the suits in Espoo took Oscar Rogers' advice to "JUST FIX IT," and, well, fixed it.

[Via AllAboutSymbian]

Rogers embraces N-Gage, Nokia Maps

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 16th 2008 @ 5:58PM

Rogers has gained the notable distinction of becoming just the first carrier in North America to partner with Nokia to distribute its N-Gage and Maps clients, an unprecedented move that could lead to tighter (dare we say, more Europe-like?) relationships in the future. Both products are initially available on the N95 8GB -- a phone that Rogers officially offers through its own channels -- and will presumably see wider launch as other S60 handsets are brought into the fold. What's next, Rogers, full-on Ovi support?

[Thanks, James]

Play Nokia Maps online game and win 6210 or stuffed creatures

by Sean Cooper posted Sep 14th 2008 @ 2:52PM

OK, we'll admit, we hate playing online flash games in hope of getting ourselves some dodgy prize. But look how freakin' cute Kiano is up there! To win, all you have to do is drop push pins as quickly and closely as you can on 10 random cities. We gave it our best go and sadly came up pretty short as accuracy is -- not for lack of skills -- a tough nut. Nokia's giving away weekly prizes of a full set of the three critters: Kiano, Maptor, and 2.0. The grand prize is a Nokia 6210 with a 12-month Drive and Walk license. Sounds easy, huh? It's not, as apparently the world is full of geographically-gifted push-pin ninjas.

[Via allaboutsymbian]

Maps on Ovi promises to span the phone-PC navigation bridge

by Chris Ziegler posted May 14th 2008 @ 8:30PM

Nokia's just unveiled an interesting add-on to both its Ovi suite of multimedia services and its very capable Maps navigation app called "Maps on Ovi" (naturally). Perhaps sensing the trend toward connected, social navigation devices and services, Maps on Ovi allows users of Nokia Maps to sync routes both to and from devices, ultimately sharing planned and traveled trips online with other Ovi users. Seeing how waypoint searching and routing is something you probably don't want to do exclusively on your phone, the program sounds like a pretty brilliant idea from that aspect alone, and tying in the sharing capability is just icing on the cake. The tentative plan is to have a build ready for public use this summer; S60 devices (read: Nokia Maps clients) will be the first to benefit, but it sounds like Nokia wants to expand it to other platforms in the future.

Nokia Maps 2.0 in beta

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 9th 2008 @ 12:32PM

Though the refresh late last year was a welcome bonus, Nokia's Maps app that gets bundled with many of its S60 devices still lags Google Maps for Mobile in several key areas -- real-time traffic and satellite view, just to name a couple. Great news, though: Nokia's been hard at work crafting its next-gen navigation client, and it looks like it's shaping up to be a real gem. The software has been seeded to a few key folks in the public domain (but isn't yet available for download to the masses) so we're starting to see some first impressions trickle in, and in short, it looks like everything's better than it was before. The auto navigation screen is clearer and uses translucency to prevent large swaths of the map from being concealed, there's a new pedestrian mode, and satellite views and traffic data are now both available. There's no word yet on when the beta or the final version might go public, so we'll all have to be satisfied with the previews for the time being.

Nokia refreshes Maps application

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 13th 2007 @ 9:28PM

Following its February launch alongside the original N95, Nokia has now rolled out the "next phase" of its Maps navigation software as a free download available immediately. The new version seems to center around customer-requested improvements, including a new data counter, revamped user interface, improved search capabilities, and client software capable of transferring maps ten times as quickly as the original. Nokia is also taking the remainder of 2007 to update its coverage, eventually offering over 150 countries' worth of maps with 50 of them enabled for navigation. The service isn't free, but the download'll buy ya a three-day trial -- so if you've got a device on the compatibility list, check it out.

Read - Press release
Read - Nokia Maps

Nokia gives away Smart2go mapping software starting now

by Brian White posted Feb 10th 2007 @ 8:51AM

When we first learned of Nokia's pending Smart2Go mobile mapping program, we were quite enthused. That is to say, Nokia wanted to follow the business model of giving certain mobile users a taste of mobile phone-based navigation (for free) but having available a turn-by-turn satellite navigation option (for a fee). Well, Nokia has now made its Smart2Go navigation software -- with downloadable maps from TeleNav and Navteq as well -- freely available as of tomorrow morning, and surely we'll see customers from all 150 countries that Smart2Go contains maps for start flooding Nokia's special download website to get the app right onto their phones. In the process, maybe Nokia's servers will get flooded and bring the entire system down. Ok, there's a little dramatic license there. But seriously, if you want to get this new app onto your Symbian or WM5 device -- yes, it'll eventually be available for both platforms -- get in virtual line for www.smart2go.com tomorrow and get your download on.