Nokia Here Transit is no longer a Lumia exclusive, select Asha phones can use it, too

Posted: 20 Jan 2014, 14:52, by Florin T.

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Nokia Here Transit is no longer a Lumia exclusive, select Asha phones can use it, too

Nokia revealed that Here Transit, a service previously available only on its Lumia Windows Phone handsets, is now compatible with select Asha phones - in a move to bring them closer to what a real smartphone is. The compatible devices are Nokia Asha 500, Asha 501, Asha 502, and Asha 503 (all four introduced last year).

With Here Transit, Nokia Asha users will be able to plan a journey via public transport with ease. The Here Transit app - available to download for free - provides access to scheduled departure / arrival times of buses and trains, as well as on screen walking routes. There is also a visual journey options screen, which can estimate how long journeys may take, and notifies you about transit changes.

Here Transit for Nokia Asha phones is available in the following countries: US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, UK, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Hungary and Netherlands. Nokia didn’t say if more countries will be added later.

sources: Nokia Store, Nokia Conversations

16 Comments

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posted on 20 Jan 2014, 16:00

1. Duketytz (Posts: 534; Member since: 28 Nov 2013)

Great to see Nokia supporting even their entry levels 'dumbphones' blurring the boundaries between dumb and smart phones!

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 16:20

2. Vanster (Posts: 124; Member since: 15 Jan 2014)

it isn't dumb, just not too smart

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 16:24

3. Duketytz (Posts: 534; Member since: 28 Nov 2013)

That's why I put it in ' '!

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 17:17

4. Avenger827 (Posts: 46; Member since: 19 Jan 2014)

Most feature phone users use non touch Nokia phones, so it's not going to be very useful for them...

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 17:18 2

5. papss (unregistered)

I swear by HERE. Its an amazing navigation program.

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 18:00

6. domfonusr (Posts: 515; Member since: 17 Jan 2014)

Just in time for Nokia Normandy...

It will have HERE Transit, since I'm betting it will be the kickoff of the new face of the Asha series, running that forked Android with Metro UI on top of it - they will have the final replacement for Series 40 at last, I'm figuring.

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 18:05

7. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

Hey❕❕❕... I thought we already had a talk about that...

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 18:20

9. domfonusr (Posts: 515; Member since: 17 Jan 2014)

Um, reminder please.

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 19:30

10. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

You're sure the Normandy will see the light of day❔

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 19:40

11. domfonusr (Posts: 515; Member since: 17 Jan 2014)

No, not sure. It would sure be fun if it did come out. Seeings Microsoft already collects fees on Android activations from many OEM's, I almost wonder if this is a way for Microsoft to hang onto the Asha line as well as the Lumia line... and with the Normandy forming the basis of a new Asha line that replaces the old Series 40 Java-based software. It would probably still cost more than I could pay though, even if it actually came to the US in the first place.

When did we talk about the Normandy, and come to a decision that it would never see the light of day?

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 22:13

12. elitewolverine (Posts: 5192; Member since: 28 Oct 2013)

From my understanding the nokia purchase will shelve smartphones for about 5yrs if I am not mistaken. Gotta find that article.

I wouldn't be surprised if the Normandy did see the light of day in the coming years but not right now. I would imagine it is a proof of concept and nothing more.

posted on 21 Jan 2014, 10:06

15. domfonusr (Posts: 515; Member since: 17 Jan 2014)

Why would they wait five years to release today's developed devices? I thought Microsoft was buying Nokia so that they could basically put their own branding on Nokia's latest devices and future Lumia's. Please find that link so we can see it, too.

posted on 21 Jan 2014, 15:21

16. rodneyej1 (Posts: 3576; Member since: 06 Jul 2013)

We didn't... I was just being facetious...

posted on 20 Jan 2014, 23:39 1

13. Dastrix (unregistered)

I guess if M$ continues the Asha lineup, the Normandy may probably make it. M$ makes more money off Android than HTC anyway, so it might actually be a smart idea to make entry-level Androids.