Nokia to Offer Free Maps/Mapping Software for Nokia and other Devices
The press release is here, but basically the app, smart2go, will be available on Feb 10 for some Nokia devices, then later it will come installed on Nokia devices and be available for PocketPC, Linux and other Windows Mobile devices. The technology is from Gate5, which Nokia purchased last year. The data is from Tele Altas and NAVTEQ. Maps are free, turn-by-turn navigation system will cost a bit.
Here’s the Inquirer’s take:
Paid-for mapping services must be choking at this announcement. Not only is Nokia giving the bulk of the software away free, but the company is also pre-installing the software on a plethora of Nokia devices and allowing it to be usable on the majority of popular platforms in the market.
It seems the navigation world may change substantially after this product has launched - expect more navigation and mapping services released free of charge, with companies making money from optional upgrades, the sale of ‘points-of-interest’ (we noted that Nokia mentioned McDonald’s as an example in the press release) and other marketing-on-mapping methods.
I doubt there is much choking as Nokia announced this last year. (Directions article, APB) Further, Nokia stated then, quite correctly, that if others offer it for free (think Google, MapQuest…) you can’t charge for that same stuff. But, you can charge for distinguishing services and data.
And, from the unidentified source department:
An unofficial source at Nokia has also told vnunet.com that all the company’s smartphones will have built-in GPS by the end of 2007.
