Ovi Maps Beta also available after Nokia World keynote announcement — Links of Interest

Ewan 02 Sep 2009, 09:30

The latest beta version of Ovi Maps, demonstrated at Nokia World this morning, is now available from the Nokia Beta Labs. New additions include a new menu with one touch access to popular features and improved searching. Compatible with S60 v5 devices, including the newly announced N97 Mini, be aware that this is an early release, but you can download it direct from Nokia.

Read on in the full article.

celios 02 Sep 2009, 09:54

Just downloaded this and popped it on my N97.

Got to say... it's good! The load time is faster and the various services (Weather, Lonely planet info and Michelin info) work really well. I hope the Lonely planet and Michelin stuff remains free. It's useful, but not something I would pay �5 a month for.

GPS fix seems faster and the signal strength is stronger for me as well.

rvirga 02 Sep 2009, 11:59

Finally Ovi Maps has a preferential favourite for "home". I'm sure Rafe and Steve will herald this as the best thing since sliced bread, but in fact it is a feature every other navigation software has had for ages. Route 66 has even another preferential favourite for "office", but please do not tell Nokia: their head might just explode.
The interface is more finger-friendly, which is good.

lovesign 02 Sep 2009, 14:21

This is a seriously good update and one that I think will have me, and many others, dipping into their pockets for a full, long term navigation licence. Maps is now up there with the best of them, IMHO.

Unregistered 02 Sep 2009, 14:58

Those who have installed this beta, can anyone tell me if there is a route summary available? This feature would be really helpful.
Will try once my 5800 comes back from Nokia service center after that battery loose contact issue fixed.

rvirga 02 Sep 2009, 17:48

Unregistered wrote:Those who have installed this beta, can anyone tell me if there is a route summary available?

Yes, kind of of. If you slide your finger (this works for me better with the stylus, though), it switches between various view modes. Among these modes, there's one which shows your route in 2D, with a bar thingy on the left with two arrows. The bar thingy represents your route, and clicking on the up/down arrows you can browse through all the steps of the route (e.g. left turn after 750m, then right after 2.1km, etc.).
If you have a 5800, be forewarned that this version still won't work in landscape mode. At this point it's safe to say that Nokia is doing it on purpose.