Nokia’s Ovi Maps
Nokia has upped the stakes in the mobile navigation market by giving a range of local and international maps free with certain handsets. And they've promised that they will do so for the life of the smartphone.
You can obtain voice-guided navigation for more than 74 countries, in 46 different languages and there are maps for over 100 other countries, too. In other words, Ovi Maps takes you where you want to be and shows you what you want see with free applications, such as:
- Walk and Drive navigation
- Share your location with Facebook
- Maps and map updates
- Events guides
- Lonely Planet guides and Michelin guides.
With one click, the new Maps menu calculates the best way to walk or drive to your destination, and to find your position, find places, find local Lonely Planet and Michelin listings, entertainment, or events nearby.
Nokia also provides a number of applications including OwnVoice, which allows you to personalise your handset navigation using the voices of friends and family, which is pretty cool and makes a change from the monotonous recordings of the past. Nokia engineers have managed to develop hybrid technology whereby you can still use your mapping technology if you lose your connection.
Sure, the maps many not have as much data, but you will still be able to find your way around. Ovi Maps also has several features that are found on sat-nav dedicated devices including lane assistance, traffic information and the placement of safety cameras, as well as speed warnings. And if your'e a pedestrian, it will also give you shortcuts through parks.
Click here for more information on Ovi Maps.
