Nokia’s Ovi Maps have been a prized possession for its smartphones for years. Up until recently when Finnish giant struck a deal with Microsoft, Ovi Maps was limited to Nokia-only hardware. That changed when it was confirmed all manufacturers of Windows Phone hardware would be given access. What we didn’t know was that Android and iOS would also be included. Now that Ovi Maps is available across all four platforms (Symbian, Windows Phone, Android, iOS) will it replace Google Maps?
First thing’s first. Ovi Maps for iOS and Android is a web-only affair, powered by the HTML5 gem at m.maps.ovi.com. This mobile optimized website is your portal to all things Nokia mapping, delivering worldwide maps on the go for both driving and walking. After granting the browser GPS access, you’ll be able to track your location no matter where the day may take you. In terms of advantages, iOS has the upper hand thanks to pinch-to-zoom support. On Android you’ll need to press the zoom in and out buttons.
As exciting as the release of a mobile version of Ovi Maps for Android and iOS is, the question remains: can it replace Google Maps. For Android users we can answer that question with a simple no. iOS on the other hand is a different story. Google Maps for iOS is in dire need of an update (though there are alternate routes when using Google Maps on iOS 5 beta). Given the state of Google Maps for iOS, we’d say that web-based Ovi Maps is a viable alternative.
For iOS users looking for a new, free worldwide mapping solution look no further than Ovi Maps. Android users have been spoiled with a steady stream of updates to Google Maps and Google Navigation beta so Ovi Maps is not quite as compelling. However, if you’re looking for a new route we recommend taking Ovi Maps for a spin at m.maps.ovi.com.
