Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) has plans to launch its own free map application for iOS and Android mobile operating systems. The new map application is set to debut at the end of the year. A key highlight for the aforementioned app is that it won’t need an online connection to prompt driving directions. And unlike many of Nokia’s other apps, this one would be geared for customers instead of businesses.
Nokia looks to compete directly with Apple and Google
Nokia is not new to the mobile maps market. The Finnish tech company already has Here Maps which are exclusively available to Windows Phone users. The app used to offer support for the iPhone and iPad, however Nokia cut off support for the app last year because of issues within the operating system.
Right now, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) (NASDAQ:GOOGL) continue to lead the mobile map market. Nokia hopes to offer something new with offline maps access to separate it from competition. Nokia’s new app will enable users to download maps and even search for directions online. The navigation feature will come through satellites so users don’t need internet to access the maps. Although Google Maps does offer a similar feature with an offline mode but it was not really designed for offline use.
What Nokia hopes to achieve
It is important to point out that Apple and Google would have to accept the Nokia Maps application in their respective app stores. Fortunately, Nokia does not appear to see any potential roadblocks.
Sean Fernbeck (executive for Nokia Here) believes tech users are looking for alternatives to the current offerings. He added that although Google Maps is a great option for many users, the app has remained the same for a long time. To sum it up, Nokia hopes to offer something of real value that map users want.
via: WSJ.
