Nokia Maps brings voice-guided navigation to other platforms, pedestrians only for now

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Nokia Maps brings voice-guided navigation to other platforms, pedestrians only for now
Nokia has one of the very good navigation software pieces out there with its Maps app for the Lumia Windows Phones and its Symbian devices, due to its multibillion acquisition of NAVTEQ a few years ago.

It was only Nokia handsets so far, however, that could use free offline voice-guided navigation. Now the Finns are getting generous, and allowing Android and iOS devices to take advantage as well, with the web version of Nokia Maps. There is a caveat, though - for now the voice-guidance only works in pedestrian mode but it's a good start anyway.

To get to the service you need to visit m.maps.nokia.com on your phone's browser, and maybe bookmark it for faster access in the future. Then, after the web service pinpoints your location, and it takes seconds over Wi-Fi, you can set a final destination and the phone will ask you whether you want to download a 2MB voice guidance file.

This will get you on your merry way exploring any new city without getting lost, since it can pump "turn left/right" comments right into your ear. Let's not forget that the web version of Nokia Maps sports public transport routes as well. Such is the power of HTML5 web apps, and these might eat the app stores' lunch one day.

Moreover, the web version of Nokia Maps allows you to download precached areas of your choosing over Wi-Fi at home for offline access later, so you don't have to splurge for data charges when abroad, for example. The advantage before Google Maps - voice guidance will work everywhere Nokia Maps has such coverage, and it is close to 100 countries worldwide now.

source: Nokia

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