Nokia Maps 3.0 BETA Revealed and Launched!!!

Another announcement at Nokia World 2008 was the launch of Nokia Maps 3.0 BETA! This new version of the aplication introduces a host of new features and improvements over previous versions – best of all it is available to try now from the Nokia Beta Labs website on Feature Pack 2 devies (except for the N96 which still has issues), and support for devices with Feature Pack 1 will be available soon!!!

Read on for the changes and a video demonstrating some of the new features!!!

New features in version 3.0 of Nokia Maps:

Enhanced car navigation, Drive*, through lane assistance, speed limit warners, improved sign post design and new ‘Route overview’ mode during navigation,

Enhanced pedestrian navigation, Walk**, through shortcuts (virtual connections) in urban areas, straight line guidance for off-road terrain and beeps and vibrations before next turn,

Significantly improved map data quality and content,

3D landmarks for over 200 cities – can be displayed in 3D and 2D map modes,

New Terrain*** map mode,

Hi-res aerial images for Satellite*** and Hybrid*** map modes,

Nokia Maps Updater for PC, to update your Maps application and existing map data,

Synchronisation of Favourites and Collections with Maps Beta on Ovi and vice versa (use in online mode, enable Internet connection).

* Feature requires Drive & Walk licence.
**Feature requires Walk or Drive & Walk licence.
***To load Terrain/Satellite/Hybrid maps you need to enable Internet connection.

Features coming soon:

Safety spot warners in selected countries

Extended country coverage for Traffic info service

Weather information

Premium POI content for travel, selected events and cinemas

What I think is great about Nokia Maps 3.0 is that it is becoming a much more complete navigation product and is very convenient to have on your Nokia phone so that you can make the most of it wherever you are. With the features that have been added in version 3.0, the Maps application had the ability to compete with standalone satellite navigation systems with its lane guidance and speed limit warners.

Another feature which I’m quite excited about is the fact that you wil be able to plan the route you before hand using Maps on Ovi and synchronising your route and/or favourite places straight to your device! Unfortunately this isn’t available at the moment but I am looking forward to giving it a go! Other features that we can expect in the next BETA release are Weather and Traffic information!

As well as a Map Loader, there is a new application called the Nokia Maps Updater. The Updater checks for new versions of Nokia Maps as well as detecting maps already installed on your device and automatically updates them to the latest versions. I hope this will be integrated within the Map Loader when the application is finalised!!!

If you would like to try the BETA out for yourself, head on over to http://www.nokia.com/betalabs/maps to get hold of it and the latest version of the Map Loader and Updater!!! Please bear in mind that the application is currently in BETA so there will be some bugs!!!

What do you think of the new version of Nokia Maps? Are you pleased with the developments so far!?