Well, over 2 months after Nokia World, we finally have an updated version of Nokia Maps v3.0, which I’ve been using on my Nokia N79 for several weeks now. If you’ve already forgotten, this new version introduces some nice UI changes, but more significantly, allows you to synchronize your landmarks and saved routes with the Maps.Ovi.com website. This is useful for trip planning, as you can use the more convenient website, instead of searching for stuff on your phone, but it’s also great if you switch phones often, as you can simply download your landmarks from the web.
Unfortunately, that’s really where the goodness stops. Nokia is still insisting on using this annoying method of the Nokia Maps Updater, which is a PC-based application that essentially downloads the .sis file, installs it to your phone, and then deletes a few files on your phone. It’s real annoying because it leaves OS X and Linux users completely out in the cold, and it’s also really inefficient. On my N79, which is already running the previous Maps v3.0 beta, I was repeatedly told to free up internal storage for the 4.5MB update, despite starting the install with 8.1MB (and later, 16.6MB) of internal storage.
You may recall my last experience with this, on the Nokia N85, where I was consistently getting ‘Out of memory’ errors, saying that I didn’t have any available internal storage (note, this is different from running out of RAM), and cancelling the installation. Last time, I was able to run a quick search of my computer’s TEMP folder to get the actual .sis file, and install that with no problems. It seems, according to Eduardo at E71blog.com, you can still do this, and he’s even uploaded the file for you OS X and Linux users. After the installation, you should go into your memory card, though, and delete the ‘cities’ folder, along with the ‘qf’ file. Restart your phone and you should be good to go!
I’ve (finally) gotten the new version installed on my Nokia N79, as well as my E71, and can report that, after all that hassle, it actually runs quite well. Updates include a new startup sequence that (finally) automatically zooms to your current location. The original Nokia Maps v1 did this, and it was removed in subsequent updates. I’m glad to see it’s back. You can get the full changelog from the Beta Labs.
Download the latest Nokia Maps Updater here. There’s also a new Maps Loader (for storing maps on your memory card) here.
