Ovi Maps
 

I'm looking at the N900 as a possible replacement for my Blackberry. Google Maps is a great application on that platform: it has good directions and localized search.

I assume Google won't be delivering Maps for Maemo right away (if ever), so Ovi Maps is probably going to be the best Maemo mapping app for a while. According to Nokia

http://europe.nokia.com/explore-serv..._and_coverage#

it appears that one can get directions for free. Local search doesn't appear to be provided, though travel guides may be integrated for a reasonable fee (€8,99). Turn-by-turn directions are incredibly expensive (€1,59 per day).

Has anyone used Ovi Maps on a Nokia device? If so, how does it compare to Google Maps?

Re: Ovi Maps
 

The turn by turn one day price is extremely misleading.

Just looking on my device for European maps:

1 day = €1.70 per day (higher price probably due to our local sales tax)

30 days = €7.65 = 25.5 cents per day

365 days = €59.95 = 16 .4 cents per day

...and the other services are free anyway so if you can manage without turn-by-turn then you pay nothing.

Also, I suspect the N900 will come bundled with a period of free turn-by-turn anyway. Most mid to high end Nokia smartphones come with a free Ovi Maps subscription (i.e. turn-by-turn) of either 6 months, 1 year or (on navigation-oriented bundles) lifetime.

EDIT: People can use the trial subscription to see if it works for them, which is probably the best policy as the quality of navigation software seems to vary quite a lot depending on where in the world you live or travel.

Re: Ovi Maps
 

I have a nokia n95-8gb with nokia map application. I cannot use it to even plan the route like i can do it on the google maps application. Is there any way just to do routing without the voice instructions on the ovi maps?

Coming to the n900 i read somewhere that routing is free but only turn by turn instructions are not free. What exactly does routing mean. Is it same like the google maps application?

Thanks

Re: Ovi Maps
 

Have you updated to Ovi Maps 3 or are you still seeing the map app that came with the phone? Ovi Maps 3 is a lot easier to use.


You can try routing for free even without a device, if you go to maps.ovi.com and log in with an Ovi/Nokia account. You can also use this website to sync map locations with your phone.

Re: Ovi Maps
 

I just checked the maps version v2.0... i guess i will update.

If i was outside and just wanted to check the directions to a place, can i do it with ovi maps 3?

Re: Ovi Maps
 

An option for daily price for turn-by-turn service is AWESOME. For the most part, people don't need turn by turn service on a daily basis. An option to get what amounts to a 'guide' for €1.70 a day seems very appealing.

@sachin: does it offer offline maps like you claim on that other thread?

Re: Ovi Maps
 

Yeah it does offer offline maps just like the n810 offers offline maps.

Re: Ovi Maps
 

Yep, I have it on my n958gb-2 it's a great app, still needs work but its getting there.

Turn by Turn "Driving" nav does cost.

Re: Ovi Maps
 

I've been using Ovi Maps 3.0 (the offline application) on my N82 extensively during the last 2 weeks while on holiday in Croatia (Great country!).

Ovi Maps was a very positive experience. It saved me hours while looking for my hotels (I switched location every 1-3 days) and while walking through smaller cities and villages where I didn't have a city map with me.
I'll be VERY glad if the app finds it way to the N900, hopefully bringing the same map data and licencing model with it.

Advantages:

• Good maps for many countries freely available for download to the device (offline usage, no data cost while in a foreign country)
• Easy interface to search for addresses and POI
• Impressive turn-by-turn guidance, works really well
• Good integration with Ovi Maps online (didn't use that, but sounds very interesting).
• Very interesting licencing model. I only need navigation sporadically, glad that I don't have to pay full price for a year but can buy daily licences. WISH: Let users buy a "pack" of turn-by-turn guides, e.g. 20 usages for 20 EUR. (The amount of work to get a daily licence is bigger than the amount of work to find a location with Ovi Maps without turnbyturn :-). This would also save one from having to use an online connection while abroad if one needs a licence - instead one could buy the licence "at home" and use it whenever wherever needed.

Negative points:

• POI data quality average, many POI missing or incomplete (ATM, Hotels)
• Minor: Auto-rotating maps are a bit too automatic, I had problems to keep it fixed north. Instead, Ovi Maps too often insisted on rotating the map to the currently traveling direction (might be a user-related problem :-)

One funny note: The maps include information about the speed limit on certain roads. The app can be configured to warn if one goes over that limit. Now I was traveling by public transport in a large bus and using Ovi Maps to keep track of the route and location (so as to know where I was, where I had to go off the bus etc.). So while the bus driver was racing along the coast, my N82 suddenly and loudly yelled "watch the speed limit!" :D

Re: Ovi Maps
 

AFAIK Ovi Maps on the N900 does not yet support turn-by-turn. Won't be a problem for me as I'll put my work-SIM in my 5800.