Nokia to provide free satnav for all new smartphones

Posted: 22 January 2010

Nokia is set to launch free satellite navigation software for all new GPS mobile phones, it emerged yesterday (January 21st).

The Finnish firm's new version of OviMaps, which features voice guidance and traffic information, is currently only available to users of its ten most popular handsets.

However, it now plans to rival satellite navigation manufacturers such as Tom Tom and Garmin by offering the technology as standard on GPS-enabled smartphones from March.

"We want to make using your mobile for navigation as familiar as using it to send a text or take a picture," said Anssi Vanjoki, Nokia's executive vice-president.

The new OviMaps features maps for over 180 countries, with voice guidance provided for 76 of those, while traffic information will be available in ten nations.

Nokia has also decided to incorporate an offline mode - involving downloading and saving maps and direction - to limit the product's battery consumption.

Google currently offers a turn-by-turn satellite navigation system for users of its Android phone, although the technology is largely centred on the US.

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