Nokia makes navigation free on smartphones

Nokia, the leading mobile phone set manufacturer recently released a new version of Ovi Maps for its smartphones that includes high-end walk and drive navigation for free, said a pres release.
The maps are available for download at nokia.com/maps.
This move has the potential to nearly double the size of the current mobile navigation market. Ovi Maps covers more than 180 countries with car and pedestrian navigation for 74 countries in 46 languages and 6000 3D landmarks of 200 cities around the world.
"Why have multiple devices that work in only one country or region? Put it all together, make it free, make it global and you almost double the potential size of the mobile navigation market," explained Anssi Vanjoki, Executive Vice President, Nokia.
"Nokia is the only company with a mobile navigation service for both drivers and pedestrians that works across the world, he added.
Currently Ovi Maps are available for download to 10 Nokia handsets. Maps will be ready for more Nokia smartphones in the coming weeks.
From March 2010, new Nokia GPS-enabled smartphones will include the new version of Ovi Maps, pre-loaded with local country map data, with high-end walk and drive navigation and access to Lonely Planet and Michelin travel guides at no cost.