Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

AFAIK, the maps are from Navteq and Nokia acquired Navteq in 2008.

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

Ovi maps on the n900, like a lot of things on the n900, feels like it's half finished and just chucked on there. Does anyone know if the maemo team in Nokia are a large group or well resourced? It feels to me like they are talented programmers and have a better grasp than the Symbian guys, but it also feels like they are a small team who really could do with a lot more team members/resources from Nokia to back them up. I fear we won't get the Maemo we would like not because of a lack of effort or skill but simply a lack of people power. I can understand for this reason that resources will be focussed on getting Maps ready for Qt4.6/Harmattan but I still want and expect an updated release to be n900 compatible in some form.

I'd really like to see Nokia getting behind Maemo and pushing it, it has the potential to take on androids and the iphone OS. From my limited understanding reading blogs like Engadget and the like I was under the impression that Maemo was the long term solution for Nokia. However, following the release of the Symbian roadmap and decisions such as this one with Ovi maps, i feel Maemo is still the red headed step child in the Nokia family.

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

I didn't mean to imply that my feelings are prompted by the lack of effort on the part of Nokia coders in the least bit. The improvements over Diablo are simply amazing.

I'm sure the grunts on this project are fully aware of the limitations... The cause of these feelings of ill on my part may have more to do with the executives within Nokia that had a greater effect on what was delivered.

I would venture to guess that QG, et al heard "Good enough" and "Time to move on" many times from these execs who ultimately allocated resources. Perhaps these are the same executives who scraped the "Free Navigation" turd on to everyones plate just as other map issues were coming to light.

As far as Nokia providing anything for the community to develop; how about starting with something simple like a POI loader and then moving up?
Support for the on screen keyboard should be another. If this app was presented by a community member, that would be one of the first "bugs" that the community as a whole would focus on.

In fact, if the app was presented to the community in a new "announcement" thread like any other community developed app, potential users would have greater satisfaction in the sense that they can influence and track future development.

That^ last bit about missing the ability to "influence and track future development" applies to all of the "Nokia Applications" delivered with the phone.

Perhaps that is the subject of yet another "brainstorm" in order to save readers from the boredom someone recently spoke of. :)

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

I understood all the technical reasons why to focus on the Harmattan version, thanks for the explanation. As already said probably you mean by that Ovi Maps on Harmattan will be based on Qt4.6 while current Ovi Maps on Freemantle is GTK, right?

What I can't understand is why Nokia spent resources developing this GTK version, which is being constantly criticized due to lack of turn-by-turn navigation, when they could launch N900 without Ovi Maps at all. Maybe then we could get a fully functional Ovi Maps together with Qt4.6 framework due to the next firmware update.

I guess the reason to invest on a GTK version could be either technical, to detect bugs in features like routing calculation that shouldn't need porting to the Harmattan version, and/or even commercial demands, just to avoid launching a device without GPS application, which could hurt sales since competitors have it.

At least one thing I think most member will agree: the current uncertainty on Maemo/N900/Ovi roadmaps is just diverting attention from the collaboration itself.

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

If you are interested in Ovi Maps data or API I recommend you to make one step closer to the project itself:

Info: http://www.forum.nokia.com/Ovi/Ovi_M...ayer_API.xhtml
Wiki: http://wiki.forum.nokia.com/index.ph...for_developers
Forum: http://discussion.forum.nokia.com/fo...play.php?f=159

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

If the current version of Ovi maps would have automatic route recalculation, it would already be (just) usable for navigation imo. Sure, it would still lack a lot of features such as off-line address searching etc., but the basis would be there.

I always assumed the capability was in there, but not switched on because of anticipation towards licensing/marketing options. But now that it has become free, that limitation is gone. I'm (naively) hoping this will be switched on in the next firmware.

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

After reading this thread I started some time ago, I feel that the conversation is going slightly on the wrong direction. This is Brainstorm, not Complaints. Whatever the marking department may or may not have said, has nothing to do with this thread. I personally feel talk.maemo.org is not the best place to address this kind of complaints, certainly not the Brainstorm section. If you prefer to use this forum anyway for this purpose, please use General, N900 or Maemo 5 section, but not Brainstorm nor this thread. Thank you for understanding. :)

Now, as for the real subject. I'm happy that Maemo will get (eventually ;)) free Voice Guided Turn by Turn Navigation. As some of you have already pointed out, it will be most probably based on Qt. This very reasonable, since not only is Maemo 6 based on it, but also the future Symbian versions. However, I'm not so sure that it's necessarily based on Qt 4.6. I, at least, have not seen any info about it. It could be based on some future Qt version.

Therefore, I would like to receive answers to the following questions about Ovi Maps for Maemo:

1. If it is based on Qt, what version?
2. Will it be a separate installable app?
3. Will it be compatible with N900?
4. Can the community do something to make it work with the N900?
5. Is there a beta testing and how can one paticipate? :D
6. Oh, and the most important: when is it planned to be realised? :p

I would appreciate if qgil or someone else from Nokia, could give some answers. Although I do strongly doubt all the questions will be answers any time soon, especially the last one. :D

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

From Sasler and qgil last posts I did some research and came to some conclusions that sound like a conspiracy theory, but anyway seemed to me a possible strategy from Nokia which would make sense...

These are the know facts until now:
- Nokia extensively advertised that Qt is strategic due to platform independence, and its implementation would ease a lot the portability between Symbian and Maemo, or even other O.S. like Windows Mobile, provided that all use Qt libraries.
- Qt 4.6 for Maemo is in beta stage and should be supported officially by the next firmware update PR1.2, which is rumored to be release by March/April
- Maemo developers are being instructed to focus their development on Qt to avoid incompatibility on Harmattan
- Ovi Maps 3.03 for Symbian was only made available for mobiles running S60 fp3 and fp5 editions, and its graphical interface changed considerably since the last edition.
- Qt 4.6 for Symbian is available only for S60 fp3 and fp5, and some features from Qt like Kinetic scrolling were implemented on Nokia 5800 for example.

Now the conspiracy part:
- I believe Ovi Maps 3.03 for Symbian is based on Qt, but couldn't find details about its code. It may be a coincidence, but now it is only available for devices which have support for Qt4.6
- If the above assumption is true, really wouldn't make sense to invest in the current Ovi Maps for Maemo, which most likely is not based on Qt since it wasn't officially supported at N900 launch
- When N900 gets official support Qt4.6 it will be much easier porting applications for Symbian already based on Qt, and that could include Ovi Maps 3.03
- I asked Nokia USA customer care and they told me that free turn-by-turn navigation will be offered soon for N900, not Maemo 6/Harmattan. I am not sure if the guy really had this confirmation or made some mistake, but anyway here is the email:
================================================== ===
From nokiausa.customercare@nokia.com
Sent: Tue, 2 Feb 2010, 14:33:48 BRST
To my_email@gmail.com
Subject RE: Phone Features

> Hi Alex,
>
> Thank you for e-mailing the Nokia Care Contact Center. We are glad that you are
> interested in the Nokia N900
> Based on your concern, the voice guided navigation on the N900 is currently not
> yet availble though it will be offered soon. For future updates regarding this
> matter, you can visit our website through www.nokia.com. I hope the
> information provided proves useful.
> If you have any additional question, please don't hesitate to contact us again.
> To ensure proper handling of your case, kindly continue using the current
> subject line Thank you very much for your email. Have a great day.
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Mark Bañas
> Email Specialist
> Nokia Inc.
> [THREAD ID:1-4XBUE4I]
================================================== ===

It would like to hear from you if I am going crazy or there could be some logic behind these assumptions....

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

To follow up on this (since there is way to much FUD on this matter on the internet and in these forums), I took the scary concept of actually talking to Nokia Care in the UK today and was told the same story as above. Turn by turn voice guided Sat Nav would be available for free on the N900.
The conversation was wooly about when we would get it, but factual that we would get it. The operative was saying hopefully in the next FW release but could not confirm that as a definate. If they are fibbing I cannot do much about that, but I have a call reference so if they are fibbing I will be seeking due compensation for strangely the same amount of cash to deploy Sygic!!!

Re: [Under development] Ovi Maps - Turn by Turn Navigation
 

I realise of course the flaming I may get for the above may warrant me wearing fire prove under trousers, but I will worry that as I am driving around the country guided by my fair beauty, the N900.....