Android users now have a choice when it comes to map applications. Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V)’s Here Maps app is now available on Android’s Google Play store. This comes after weeks of testing. The overall user experience for Nokia is different from Google Maps. The first thing to note is that it features a simpler interface which specializes in navigation and offline mapping.
Nokia Here Maps now available for Android
This particular app is best for trips to locations where cellular data is not guaranteed. Another big addition for the new Nokia Maps app includes added support for 18 countries and bug fixes. Nokia Here already has a web version with a new design and updated search. Here Maps will come to iOS next year but it won’t include an update. It appears Nokia wants to be the go-to choice for maps.
The company summed up the matter, “Following the positive reviews of Here for Android, a lot of people have expressed their interest in an iOS version of our app. We really appreciate this interest and demand. Our iOS app development team is working hard on this and we plan to officially launch HERE for iOS in early 2015.”
A look at the expansion
The list of cities in the expansion list include Algeria, Cyprus, Libya, Sri Lanka, Angola, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Mauritius, Senegal, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Cote d’lvoire. Right now, Google continues to dominate the entire mobile maps market, but Nokia has the opportunity to change all that. A representative for the company added, “We currently have navigation in more countries than any other competitor today.”
Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) still has quite a way to go if the company really wants to make a mark and take over the market. The Here Maps are actually just a smaller part of a larger company. There is plenty of room for success.
