Since its January 21 launch, the new version of Nokia’s Ovi Maps with free walk and drive navigation has been downloaded more than 1.4 million times. In fact, the application was downloaded a million times in its first week.

Article Tools

• 

“We’re averaging a download a second, 24 hours a day,” said Anssi Vanjoki, executive vice president at Nokia. “When we announced free walk and drive navigation, we knew it would be a game changer. The number of people now using their Nokia for navigation, and as a result looking for more location-aware software, is growing faster than even we predicted.”

The new version of Ovi Maps is a key part of Nokia’s strategy for the mobile maps, navigation, and location-based services markets. Using its investment in Navteq, Nokia says, it has been able to reduce the costs associated with navigation for drivers and pedestrians. Nokia also is developing its user base so it can offer new location features, content, and services.

“This is great news for our third-party application developers. Within a matter of days, there is an installed base of more than 1 million active users all potentially hungry for new and innovative location-aware apps,” Anssi said. “For the operators too, there is a growing opportunity to sell more data plans and a complete navigation to existing and new customers.”

The 5800 XpressMusic, N97 mini, N97, 5230, and E72 were the top five Nokia devices installing the download. Starting next month, all new Nokia GPS-enabled smart phones 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 extra cost.

The free Ovi Maps application from Nokia provides more than 6000 3D landmarks for 200 cities around the world.

Ovi Maps covers more than 180 countries with car and pedestrian navigation for 74 countries in 46 languages as well as traffic information for more than 10 countries. It also offers more than 6000 3D landmarks for 200 cities around the world (see the figure). The Lonely Planet and Michelin guides have information on more than 1000 destinations globally. 

Nokia