5G Technology World

  • 5G Technology and Engineering
  • Apps
  • Devices
  • IoT
  • RF
  • Radar
  • EE Learning Center
  • 5G Videos
  • Handbooks
    • 2022
    • 2021
  • Design Guides
    • WiFi & the IOT Design Guide
    • Microcontrollers Design Guide
    • State of the Art Inductors Design Guide

Nokia Unveils Cross-Platform Maps Product

By Andrew Berg | November 13, 2012

In what could be taken as a shot across Apple’s bow, Nokia on Tuesday took the wraps off a dramatic rebranding and rethinking of its mapping product. The new cross-platform, cloud-based offering is called ‘HERE’ and could appeal to those iOS users looking for an alternative to iOS 6’s much-maligned Apple Maps application.

Nokia said it aims to “inspire a new generation of location services and devices,” with its new offering, which can be accessed by browser from almost any smarpthone, tablet or PC.

“People want great maps, and with HERE we can bring together Nokia’s location offering to deliver people a better way to explore, discover and share their world,” said Stephen Elop, Nokia’s president and CEO, in a statement.

The new product comes just on the heels of Apple’s disappointing foray into the mobile maps space. With iOS 6, Apple nixed the native Google Maps application from its devices, replacing it with Apple Maps. Consumers and reviewers alike have since panned Apple’s offering, saying the maps are innaccurate, and also lack favored Google Maps features, such as transit directions. Apple has since apologized for the miscue and has actually recommended other third-party apps to its users, such as Navigon and social mapping app Waze.

Nokia said it will launch a maps application for iOS under the HERE brand. Based on HTML5, the app will include offline capabilities, voice-guided walk navigation, and public transport directions. The application is scheduled to be available for free from Apple’s App Store in the coming weeks. Until then, iOS users can access HERE via their browsers and add an icon to their homescreen for easier access to the service.

Nokia also announced a strategic partnership with Mozilla to bring new location experiences to the Firefox OS. Nokia said it plans to debut a mobile Web version of HERE Maps for the new Firefox OS next year.

On the Android side, Nokia announced plans for the availability of a HERE SDK for Android OEMs in early 2013 aimed at enabling partners to create location-based applications for Android devices with Nokia’s content.

Today’s announcement comes as Nokia continues to struggle for ground in the competitive high-end smartphone market. Just last month, Nokia announced third quarter net losses of $1.2 billion on $9.5 billion in total revenue, which was down 19 percent year over year.

Sales of the company’s Lumia smartphones dropped slightly to 2.9 million from 4 million sequentially, which could be attributed to consumers awaiting the launch of Nokia’s new Windows 8-based Lumia smartphones, which launched this month. 

Overall, Nokia said it sold 6.9 million smartphones, including Symbian devices, with an average selling price of $210.

Related Articles Read More >

5G vectors
How RedCap fits into 5G and IoT
Benetel RAN650
OpenRAN mid-band radio brings cellular to private and campus networks
Don’t push on that icon and other 3G sunset issues
LTE Cat 1 modules target worldwide IoT connectivity

Special Issue: 5G Handbook

Need 5G Technology World news in a minute?

We Deliver!
5G Technology World Enewsletters get you caught up on all the mission critical news you need. Sign up today.
Enews Signup

EE World Online Twitter

Tweets by @RandDWorld

EE TRAINING CENTER CLASSROOMS

EE Classrooms
5G Technology World
  • Enews Signup
  • Contact Us
  • EE World Online
  • DesignFast
  • EDABoard Forums
  • Electro-Tech-Online Forums
  • Microcontroller Tips
  • Analogic Tips
  • Connector Tips
  • Engineer’s Garage
  • Power Electronic Tips
  • Sensor Tips
  • Test and Measurement Tips
  • Wire & Cable Tips

Copyright © 2022 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search 5G Technology World

  • 5G Technology and Engineering
  • Apps
  • Devices
  • IoT
  • RF
  • Radar
  • EE Learning Center
  • 5G Videos
  • Handbooks
    • 2022
    • 2021
  • Design Guides
    • WiFi & the IOT Design Guide
    • Microcontrollers Design Guide
    • State of the Art Inductors Design Guide