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Nokia Launches Free Mapping Alternative for iOS: 'HERE Maps'

Tuesday November 20, 2012 6:39 am PST by Arnold Kim
Last week, Nokia announced that they would be launching extending its mapping service to iOS with a new free app. Nokia's new HERE Maps app for iOS launched last night, promising offline mode, transit and walking directions:
HERE Maps helps you feel like a local anywhere you go. See where you are, search and discover nearby places, and get a feel for the place. Collect places to remember or for later discovery. Explore new destinations and know instantly how to get there on foot, by car or on public transport. HERE Maps is based on the world-class NAVTEQ mapping data used in 90% of in-car navigation systems in the world.

Features include:

• Map views – Pick the map you need from map view, live traffic view, public transport line view or satellite view
• Save map areas & wander without data coverage
• Maps, search and place coverage for nearly 200 countries
• Step-by-Step voice-guided walk navigation
• Walk navigation through pedestrian routes, parks, alleyways, and more
• Public transportation and driving directions

The Verge spent some time with the new app, and came away with mixed impressions.
Obviously this is Nokia's first stab at an iOS client for its new mapping service, and in many ways it's more functional than Apple's native Maps client, but for now, many of the additional features don't work as well as they ought to.
Nokia's iOS map launch is significant due to the issues many users have had with Apple's Map application that ships with iOS 6. Apple's solution has drawn considerable criticism due to incomplete data and poor coverage in many areas.

Nokai's HERE Maps is available as a free download from the App Store [iTunes link].
[ 198 comments ]


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TimUSCA
78 months ago
This is just a wrapper over a web app. It's slow and text isn't very easy to read.

Personally, I'm fine with Apple Maps. But if someone is going to come out with an actual good mapping solution, it's Google.
Rating: 25 Votes
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mattpreston11
78 months ago
Don't waste your time trying this out. Its terrible.
Rating: 22 Votes
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satchow
78 months ago
How dare Nokia talk so smugly about Apple Maps, and how they will rescue Apple users and then go on to release this horrendous app.
Rating: 17 Votes
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zorinlynx
78 months ago
Maps are blurry. Almost as if they're images always being displayed "zoomed in".

Geez, you'd think Nokia could do better. This is just sad.
Rating: 14 Votes
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sza
78 months ago
it is far worse than Apple's map.
Rating: 10 Votes
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davidjearly
78 months ago
Truly, utterly horrific.
Rating: 9 Votes
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BanterClaus
78 months ago
The detail where I am (Northern England, UK) is absolutely terrible. Incorrect place names and very poor quality imagery.
Rating: 8 Votes
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ECUpirate44
78 months ago
Meh, Apple Maps works for me, though I do miss street view. Flyover is more of a gimmick than anything.
Rating: 8 Votes
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WhySoSerious
78 months ago
Y'all can moan and whine about maps, but I actually think Apple maps are BETTER than Nokia AND Google.
Rating: 7 Votes
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RodThePlod
78 months ago
These attempts just make you realise how far ahead of the game Google actually are :eek:

RTP.
Rating: 6 Votes

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