I was lucky enough to get a chance to preview the new version of Nokia Maps, v2.0. There’s tons of cool new features in this update, and I’m excited to be able to explore with it and let you guys know what to expect. I’ve attached a Flickr slideshow with a bunch of screenshots I took to show off some of the new features, which I’ll also highlight below.
I have a full license for all the features included in this Beta, so if you have anything you want me to check out, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment asking specific questions. I’ll be heading out and about tomorrow via foot and by car, to give every feature a good working-over, so please leave plenty of things for me to try out.
The new Maps 2.0 will be pre-installed on any future devices, and will be available soon as a download from Nokia Beta Labs. It also comes with an updated Map Loader application, so that you can take advantage of several of the new features. Click through to get a quick overview of what’s changed, what’s new, and everything else.
The Drive and Walk features have been split, so that you can purchase the Walk guidance separately for a little cheaper. The Drive license includes the Walk license. Simply put, Nokia has added even MORE flexible purchasing options. They’ve also done away with the 3-year license, which is fine by me. I would assume they didn’t really sell too many, so it’s not a big loss.
Drive now features the ability to save routes, as well as plan stopovers. Real-time traffic updates are available in 18 European countries, with more coming soon. You can specify in the application’s settings how often Maps 2.0 will check for updates, and also whether it auto-reroutes around traffic situations.
Walk is a new feature that makes it easy to use the Nokia Maps application in a large city or other situation in which you’re more likely to be on foot. Pathways and houses are shown in this view, to help assist in navigation. The navigation also works better in the slower walking speed, offering slow-motion ability to make it easier to use.
The interface has changed as well, and for the better. There is now a search box on the main screen that you can use to quickly find local places. Results are returned sorted by category, making it really simple to find the nearest pizza joint, or a specific restaurant among the many results. They’ve also added a new Satellite and Hybrid view options, so that you can use local landmarks to find your way.
City Guides have also gotten an update and now include multimedia such as photos and videos, which make it fun to explore new places with your handset.
All handsets will received a 3-day trial so that users can get a full experience of the new features. It is also now possible to transfer licenses easily between handsets, as long as the SIM card is the same. Users can update the license information through on-device menus, which is stinkin awesome.
Stay tuned to Symbian-Guru.com for more insight into this new version as soon as I’ve had a chance to play.
