pekka.ruottinen

Nokia Maps (smart2go) is getting out of its beta stage. Although v1.0 is not officially released yet it is available at Nokia’s and smart2go’s download pages. Also the Maploader is updated to v1.1. I first read it from Mapperz. Also allaboutsymbian.com, the Nokia blog and Darla Mack have wrote about it.

I don’t have a windows computer here in Vilnius hence I didn’t have a chance to try out the Maploader. However I downloaded the Maps software from smart2go. NOKIA_Maps_1_0_S60_30.SIS, file size 3,95 MB. Version number at about screen states v1.1w23b04. I chose N73 version which works well on my E50.

Testing the navigation on the new version will have to wait until our holiday trip in July when I’m expecting us to reach almost 10 000 km. I try to get a chance to download the latest maps with new Maploader before the trip also.

I’ll comment on each of the new or changed featured reported:

• Navigation Trial: 3-day free Navigation trial

It has been said that this wouldn’t be available on the prelaunch version. I was checking the prises for navigation and just before showing the detailed prizing I got notification that 3 day license activated. Bummer! They could have asked if I wanted to get the trial license now or maybe little later.

• New indicators: GPS status, bandwidth indicators

These are very handy. Especially the bandwidth indicator when travelling and roaming. There are also comments that people testing the new version got a feeling that GPS-lock would be established faster than before. I definitely got the same feeling.

• Map improvements: Coloring, details, horizon, country borders & time zones

The colors are better now. Country borders and time zones are also a great addition. Although I see the country borders only on low detail maps. When zooming in the borders also disappear. It would be nice to know when you are coming close to border crossing. Button 1 is suppose to change between 2D/3D modes but this doesn’t seem to work on my version.

• Unified search: All search methods in one menu & intuitive search interaction

This works significantly better than in the previous version. Much more logical. Still, there is work to be done. For example I was searching for an address in France. I couldn’t find it before changing St. to Saint.

• Improved category search: Multi-level search (Eat + Drink -> Restaurants -> Thai)

This is a nice feature! Waiting for more POIs though.

• Faster navigation start: Starts before full route calculated, starts w/o GPS fix

Sounds like very good improvement. Can’t wait to try the navigation.

• Faster MapLoader: Download speed improved significantly & voice command download

Haven’t tried yet. Voice command download is a good thing to have. Could have already used it when driving with friends speaking different language and couldn’t download it because roaming at the time.

• New regions: India and Indonesia plus better coverage in Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore (in total more than 100 countries/over 50 navigable)

I hope also some of the Eastern European countries got updates.

Some general thoughts. It is nice that when starting the software the map is centered to GPS position or last known location. And if there is no position available, the map is centered on the capital city, determined by the local network.

The menus and usability in general are one step more logical than before. Couple times the application has just died on me and suddenly closed itself. Well, the E50 is not officially supported. The application also starts faster, but I didn’t notice any improvement on performance when using it. For example zooming is still rather slow.

There is still work to do on some details but I will be confident taking the Maps on some heavy testing during our trip.