Hasta La Gadget!

Initially one of the main reasons you would get a Nokia Lumia device is because of certain exclusive apps available only for the Finnish handset manufacturer. This included apps such as Nokia Maps and Nokia Drive just to name a few. While they might now be available for other Windows Phone devices, it looks like HTC might have decided to create something similar of their own. Thanks to a report by Windows Phone Italy, word on the street has it that HTC could be looking to compete with Nokia in terms of a mapping/navigation app.

Considering that the Taiwanese company did release a similar app last year (which is no longer available for Windows Phone 8) called HTC Locations (pictured above), we are not sure if HTC is either building an entirely new app from ground up, or if they will be making major upgrades and changes to the existing app. Hopefully if HTC does release such an app, they will not be charging their users for additional features, such as offline voice prompts. After all if Nokia can do it for free, why can’t HTC, right? There’s also no word if HTC plans to make this app an exclusive to Windows Phone devices, or they will make it available across the board. Either way take this with a grain of salt for now, but what do you guys think of a HTC navigation/mapping app?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Yellow/Gold iPhone 5S In The Works?, Samsung Galaxy S3 Refresh Coming (Rumor),

iPhone users may find some relief with the recent announcement of the free Nokia HERE Maps for iPhone. This version of Nokia HERE Maps is based on HTML5, which may raise a red flag for those who prefer native applications for performance reasons, but Nokia’s live demonstration looked pretty good – better than using Google Maps in web mode, which we tried during a recent overseas trip.

This version of Nokia Maps features everything that Windows Phone users are already familiar with, including the public transportation data that is still missing from Apple Maps. The design of the maps themselves is arguably not as nice as Apple’s or Google’s, but this is a case where functionality may ultimately trump “pretty”, that’s really up to each user to decide but at the very least, it’s a nice option to have.

Nokia Maps has been submitted to the App Store and it is pending approval from Apple. It’s free, so there’s really no downside in trying it. Keep an eye on the Apple store for this one, we know that we’ll take it for a spin when it is available.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Nokia HERE Maps SDK lands on Android in Q1 2013, Nokia Maps gets Groupon deals,

While all the talk of late is about Cupertino’s newfangled Maps application, Nokia’s currently keeping busy by doing some behind-the-scenes legwork, including signing new deals with car and navigation system manufacturers. Most recently, the Finnish company announced it’s partnering with BMW to power the “next-generation” navigation system in the upcoming 7-series, which will bring features like Enhanced 3D City Models and an Eco Pro Route that chooses the most fuel-efficient way to get you to your destination. In addition to the BMW alliance, though, Nokia has also teamed up with Garmin to bring Transit and Pedestrian maps in the form of an Urban Guidance feature that will be available on iOS and Android devices. For those interested in learning more, the pressers below will fill you in on all the nitty-gritty.

Continue reading Nokia inks deals to be maps force behind BMW 7-series, bring guidance to new Garmin apps

Filed under: Transportation, Software

Nokia inks deals to be maps force behind BMW 7-series, bring guidance to new Garmin apps originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, Amazon is being pretty tight lipped about the details of its mapping service, but Nokia isn’t afraid to spill the beans. A spokesperson for the Finish company, Sebastian Kurme, told The Next Web that Amazon is indeed licensing the Nokia Location Platform for its latest Google-shunning product. We reached out as well and were fed the exact same official statement, confirming that Nokia is becoming an even bigger player in the mapping sphere. The platform is already the basis for Yahoo! Maps and a large portion of Bing’s offerings as well. Not to mention Nokia Drive, the company’s navigation software, is one of the crown jewels of the Windows Phone world. Check out the full statement from Nokia below.

Amazon is licensing the Nokia Location Platform (NLP) for maps and geocoding.

The Nokia Location Platform is the most advanced mobile location platform with a unique global footprint. It provides maps for almost 200 countries (with more than 100 of them navigable) and provides the best, automotive-grade map quality based on industry-leading technology and more than 20 years expertise in mapping.

Amongst others, it is already powering Yahoo Maps, and increasingly also powering Bing Maps as well.

Location is playing a central role in our strategy, and because of its global footprint, quality and completeness of performance (geocoding, routing, traffic) the Nokia Location Platform offers great opportunities for 3rd parties to build upon.

Amazon´s decision to choose the Nokia Location Platform is further proof point that our competence in this space is a key differentiator also for other leading players in the industry to offer great location consumer experiences.

Filed under: Software

Nokia cops to powering Amazon’s mapping service originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 13:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With just a day to go, Nokia has pushed out another brief teaser, this time pointing towards more map-based contextual functionality. It looks like whatever the company’s got up its sleeves, alongside any new Lumia hardware, should include some map-based social network chops and City Lens features — not much of a shocker given that the latter has just shed its beta status.

Update: Nokia’s throw out another video — which reveals that its good-looking star does manage to find those shoes. Phew. We’ve added it after the break.

Continue reading Nokia invites you to stay tuned, offers augmented reality teaser (updated)

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Nokia invites you to stay tuned, offers augmented reality teaser (updated) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 Sep 2012 03:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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