Nokia maps versus Google Maps

Well over the past few years when we have think of maps for mobile phone users, Google Maps has been miles ahead of the competition. However the new look Nokia maps does look like it can give Google a run for its money.

Nokia as we all know once upon a time used to dominate the mobile handset market, but with the advent of the Open Source Android OS & the Apple iOS, the old Symbian OS which Nokia used looked almost prehistoric compared to its new rivals. But the new revamped Nokia incorporating the radically new Windows 8, it seems like Nokia is getting ready to make a comeback

.

As part of the new revamping of Nokia, the new Nokia maps which used to be called Ovi Maps earlier do have more features than Google or Apple maps. Nokia also has a larger database of countries than any other rival. But the most exciting feature is the Augmented Reality feature which is software that gives dynamic information about users' surroundings. It also has free of charge turn-by-turn voice guided navigation, which can also be used without internet connection using preloaded maps.

Screenshot of Nokia City Lens

The biggest advantage that Nokia maps have over its rivals is that entire country or city maps can be downloaded & the user can use them without requiring a data connection (GPRS connection) while using them, whereas Google maps do have a small cache of data during offline mode but not enough to cover an entire city & Apple maps just can’t operate without a data connection.

The below table is collective data comparing NOKIA, GOOGLE & APPLE maps.

	NOKIA MAPS	GOOGLE MAPS	APPLE MAPS
Works without data connection (offline mode)	YES	No	No
Turn By Turn Navigation	110+ countries	39 countries	56 countries
Public Transport	500+ Cities/Urban Areas	500+ Cities/ Urban Areas	0 Cities/Urban Areas
3D	Nokia City lens	Google Earth	Flyovers
Orientation	Augmented Reality	Google Street View	No
Venue Maps	38 Countries	4 Countries	0 Countries

However Google Maps do link quite well with some of the apps that Google has to offer such as Google goggles, which is Google’s answer for Nokia’s City lens. Currently Google Maps is the number 1 mobile map application, however with the numerous features Nokia Maps have to offer the competition is heating up in this space.