Ovi Maps is a great tool for cyclists. The free maps will take you down shortcuts and offroad. Ovi Maps also lets you share your location so your friends can join you. To find out more about Ovi Maps and free navigation for your Nokia, read on.
See it in action!
Ovi Maps doesn’t have a dedicated cycling mode, but if you’re heading away from major highways its pedestrian function is perfect. It brings completely free maps to those using pedal power. Whether you’re riding on B-roads or across fields, it’s a great way of getting free navigation and makes it easier than ever to get where you’re going.
What you’ll need
We used the Nokia E72 to navigate when cycling. The build quality is excellent with a robust metal casing that stands up to knocks and drops so it should still look fine when you get back to the office.
Ovi Maps navigation on the Nokia E72 also works if you’re wearing gloves, as the hardware buttons are easy to use and responsive. That’s important when you’re hurtling along on two wheels, and a must-have for off-road cycling.
The Nokia E72 isn’t the only Nokia phone you’ll be able to get free maps for, however. Ovi Maps is also compatible with the following handsets:
Nokia X6. Nokia N97 Mini. Nokia N97. Nokia N86. Nokia E72. Nokia E71. Nokia E66. Nokia E55. Nokia E52. Nokia C5. Nokia 6730 Classic. Nokia 6720 Classic. Nokia 6710. Nokia 5800. Nokia 5235. Nokia 5230.
Good Things come to those who navigate
Good Things is a free service from Nokia that lets you find and share anything that’s going on in your area with other users of it’s mobile navigation service. You’ll can access Good Things on your PC or Mac at maps.ovi.com. Once you’ve located something cool, type it into your Nokia and you’re ready to ride.
Direct line
If you’re in the countryside, away from roads and buildings, you’ll can use Ovi Maps’ Straight Line mode. This shows you the direct route to your destination at all times which is great for cyclists itching to ride off-road.
Don’t be alone
One of the things we like most about Ovi Maps is how easy it is to share your location and get friends to come and join you. Simply click on the map and you’ll see the option to send the location to friends. You can also share your location from the main menu. Click on Share Location and you can send details and even photographs to Facebook.
Get some direction
Ovi Maps digital compass works with your phone’s accelerometer to figure out which way you’re facing. It then makes it easy to track where you’ve been and find your way back,. Setting up the compass is as simple as waving your phone in a figure of eight.
Little red tyre tracks
When you travel somewhere on foot, or pedal across country using pedestrian mode on your phone, Ovi Maps shows your route with little red footprints. Even when you’re cycling it’s handy, showing you the route you’ve travelled so when you want to go home, simply follow the trail show onscreen.
