In the Nokia World Event at Barcelona,the N97 didn’t come empty handedly so bunch of new services were announced along with its launch.Maps 3.0 Beta is a quick update from the Maps 2.0 which was announced not long ago.But the new update has much more improvements and additions to the application itself and also there comes a big surprise too,now the Nokia Maps are integrated with OVI,bringing “Maps On OVI” to you.So now any PC user have Firefox,Internet Explorer or Safari can synchronize Landmarks created on your desktop to your Phone wirelessly using your Nokia/OVI accounts.You can access the new Maps on OVI here,but ironically I still couldn’t make it load on my browser may be things are still in work.
Anyway the all new Maps 3.0 beta has some new features that will take you by surprise for sure.
- Enhanced car navigation, Drive*, through lane assistance, speed limit warners, improved sign post design and new ‘Route overview’ mode during navigation,
- Enhanced pedestrian navigation, Walk**, through shortcuts (virtual connections) in urban areas, straight line guidance for off-road terrain and beeps and vibrations before next turn,
- Significantly improved map data quality and content,
- 3D landmarks for over 200 cities – can be displayed in 3D and 2D map modes,
- New Terrain*** map mode,
- Hi-res aerial images for Satellite*** and Hybrid*** map modes,
- Nokia Maps Updater for PC, to update your Maps application and existing map data,
- Synchronisation of Favourites and Collections with MapsBeta on Ovi and vice versa (use in online mode, enable Internet connection).
Feature requires Drive & Walk licence.
**Feature requires Walk or Drive & Walk licence.
***To load Terrain/Satellite/Hybrid maps you need to enable Internet connection.
The 3D landmarks is one nifty visual upgrade that I never expected to see on a phone,but on new devices with large screens like N97 it’s always better to visualize objects in 3D rather than seeing a 2D flat Map.The new Terrain view is also make things easy where you’ll have a rough idea of the landscape you are in.
In the Demo Video of the Maps you see it’s demonstrated on a N95 8GB but,yet the application is not available for FP1 devices,the one that is available to download is only compatible with FP2 devices.But within few weeks the compatibility will be extended.Soon after it graduates from the Beta labs a commercial version of Nokia Maps will be made available offering,
- Safety spot warners in selected countries
- Extended country coverage for Traffic info service
- Weather information
- Premium POI content for travel, selected events and cinemas
Till then,you can enjoy these features in this beta release,
- Maps in 2D, 3D, satellite and terrain views,
- 3D landmarks for over 200 cities – can be displayed in 3D and 2D map modes,
- Saving places under Favourites and creating Collections,
- Synchronisation of Favourites and Collections with Maps 3.0Beta on mobile and vice versa.
And these in the next beta before the graduation,
- Route planner for Drive, car navigation, and Walk, pedestrian navigation,
- Traffic information,
- Weather information.
Sure it will take some time to fix the bugs and to do the improvements,but it’s worth waiting for something like this.Who don’t like to have a High Tech Guide as your travel companion sitting on your hand to keep you move right and at time.Just check out this video where the future is nicely illustrated.
Anyway after all n all the OVI is gradually evolving to be the One Stop Solution and Resource centre for Nokia Users.Now it has everything maps,files,contacts,calendar events,Notes, and mail so the OVI approach of maps just made it bigger and smarter.
For more:Visit Nokia Bta Labs