Posts Tagged ‘Maps’

Nokia Drive and Nokia Maps might come to other non-Nokia Windows Phones as a paid app

A tweet by Nokia India’s official Twitter account indicates Nokia could officially launch Nokia Drive/Maps in the Windows Phone Marketplace as a paid app

Hot on the heels of yesterday’s report that Nokia Drive had been leaked, WPCentral reports that Nokia Drive and Nokia Maps could be made officially available for other non-Windows Phone handsets as a paid app. As mentioned previously, Nokia Drive was said to be exclusive to Nokia’s own handsets, but it appears the Finnish handset maker has now reconsidered.

The information comes by way of a tweet from Nokia India’s official Twitter account stating that Drive would be arriving at some point in the Windows Phone Marketplace. The official Twitter account also re-tweeted a message later in the day indicating Nokia Maps would be coming along for the ride as well. Nokia also apparently officially confirmed the news at the Lumia 710 and Lumia 800 launch event today in India, reports MyPortableWorld.

As quick refresh, Nokia Maps is the Bing Maps alternative used for finding places and getting directions near your location. Nokia Drive is part of the application and has a navigation functionality similar to what is found on Android devices with Google Maps navigation.

While some might yet be surprised, the move to sell Nokia Drive and Nokia Maps makes sense for Nokia as the app was pirated a few days ago via a leaked XAP file. I can think of no better way to stem the tide of piracy than to sell the application in the Windows Phone Marketplace, so I truly hope that is their plan.

Right now though, it remains to be seen how much the app will cost or when Nokia will sell the application. As we all know, things like these take time and planning, so I don’t expect to see it soon, which is unfortunate.

The move though is sort of heartening for Windows Phone users as Nokia Drive and Nokia Maps are far superior to Bing Maps and Navigation. Hopefully, with the eventual release of the app, they find a way to make navigation and mapping on Windows Phone better for everyone and truly make the Windows Phone ecosystem better.

All said and done, is Nokia Drive and Nokia Maps something you would pay for? Or are you a Bing Maps fanboy all the way?

Image Credit: CNET

Know Your Cell

Apple acquires C3 Technologies: could Google Maps get the boot on iOS?

Apple’s acquisition of 3D mapping company C3 Technologies could mean that the clock is ticking for Google Maps on iOS

Apple has been outed as the buyer of Swedish 3D mapping company C3 Technologies in an aquisition that took place this past August.

C3 creates stunning 3D maps using technology developed by the military to target missles. The official explanation of what its software is capable of can be summed up thusly:

C3 Technologies is the leading provider of 3D mapping solutions, offering photo-realistic models of the world for search, navigation and geographic information systems. Since 2007 when it was spun out of the aerospace and defense company Saab AB, venture-backed C3 has redefined mapping by applying previously classified image processing technology to the development of 3D maps as a platform for new social and commercial applications. The Sweden-based company’s automated software and advanced algorithms enable C3 to rapidly assemble extremely precise 3D models, and seamlessly integrate them with traditional 2D maps, satellite images, street level photography and user generated images, that together are forever changing how people use maps and explore the world.

The news comes from 9to5Mac who note that this is the third mapping company purchase from Apple behind a software development company called Placebase and another 3D mapping firm called Poly9.

According to VentureBeat, the deal was worth $ 240 million.

Clearly, it seems that Apple is preparing to cut ties with Google for its mapping services and bring the entire project in house with a powerful 3D upgrade. We imagine it will be something similar and as significant as what Apple did with Siri.

Fingers crossed that we might see the fruits of these aquisitions by iOS 6.

Know Your Cell

Ovi Maps grows photo-realistic 3D buildings (Demo)

Nokia has given Ovi Maps a major boost in the eye-candy department of Ovi Maps. We have seen 3D buildings before, but Nokia and C3 Technologies collaborated to scan entire cities down to the last detail and produce “photo-realistic” models.

[...]

View full post on Blogs on YouMobile

Google Maps 5.3 for Android comes out

The Google Maps application for Android has just been updated to version 5.3. It now brings some previously computer-exclusive stuff like location history or in other words, where you have been to and how much time you have spent there.

The [...]

View full post on Blogs on YouMobile

Google Maps 5.3 for Android Update Brings Along Google Location History [Blip]

Wish you could join your chums in “checking in” at various bars and restaurants, but don’t actually leave the house? Google Maps 5.3 for Android now lets you check in at home—plus see your Location History on the new dashboard in your Latitude profile. [Google Blog] More »

View full post on Gizmodo