Nokia Releases Free Mapping and Search Software

Nokia said on Thursday it will start offering its smart2go mapping and navigation platform free to mobile customers using select Nokia S60 and Windows Mobile 5.0 devices.

Smart2go (www.smart2go.com) allows users to map routes in more than 150 countries and is supported for full turn-by-turn satellite navigation in over 30 countries, according to the Finnish mobile phone maker.

The application will also let people view their current locations, search for points-of-interests (POI), and create routes to get them there free of charge. Mobile users can store the map data on a memory card in the handset and, if needed, download it over the air or via a connection to a PC.

According to Nokia, the smart2go application will be available for free starting on February 10 and the company says it will roll out support for most other major mobile OS platforms, including Nokia S60, Series 40, PocketPC, Linux, and other Windows Mobile devices later in the year.

Nokia also said it plans to pre-install the smart2go mapping and navigation application on all future N-Series devices under the name "Nokia Maps."

Users of phones already equipped with Global Positioning Service receivers or an external GPS module can subscribe to a turn-by-turn navigation service as well. According to Nokia, subscriptions will be available in a variety of packages, and customers can choose to pay for a week's worth of navigation services if they choose. Prices will vary based on the user's location.

In addition to its free mapping software, Nokia also introduced a new application (www.nokia.com/mobilesearch) that lets users search for information in calendar entries, SMS messages, and multimedia files on their handsets. While the application will only work with certain Nokia phones (the N95, N93, N71, N62, N60, and others), it can also be downloaded a free starting today. (Source)