Nokia Launches Free Mapping Alternative for iOS: 'HERE Maps'

[MacRumors]

Last week, Nokia announced that they would be launching extending its mapping service to iOS with a new free app. Nokia's new HERE Maps app for iOS launched last night, promising offline mode, transit and walking directions:

HERE Maps helps you feel like a local anywhere you go. See where you are, search and discover nearby places, and get a feel for the place. Collect places to remember or for later discovery. Explore new destinations and know instantly how to get there on foot, by car or on public transport. HERE Maps is based on the world-class NAVTEQ mapping data used in 90% of in-car navigation systems in the world.

Features include:

o Map views - Pick the map you need from map view, live traffic view, public transport line view or satellite view
o Save map areas & wander without data coverage
o Maps, search and place coverage for nearly 200 countries
o Step-by-Step voice-guided walk navigation
o Walk navigation through pedestrian routes, parks, alleyways, and more
o Public transportation and driving directions

The Verge spent some time with the new app, and came away with mixed impressions.

Obviously this is Nokia's first stab at an iOS client for its new mapping service, and in many ways it's more functional than Apple's native Maps client, but for now, many of the additional features don't work as well as they ought to.

Nokia's iOS map launch is significant due to the issues many users have had with Apple's Map application that ships with iOS 6. Apple's solution has drawn considerable criticism due to incomplete data and poor coverage in many areas.

Nokai's HERE Maps is available as a free download from the App Store [iTunes link].

Article Link: Nokia Launches Free Mapping Alternative for iOS: 'HERE Maps'

[Fuzzi]

It lacks one of the most important features: a compass.

[TimUSCA]

This is just a wrapper over a web app. It's slow and text isn't very easy to read.

Personally, I'm fine with Apple Maps. But if someone is going to come out with an actual good mapping solution, it's Google.

[BanterClaus]

The detail where I am (Northern England, UK) is absolutely terrible. Incorrect place names and very poor quality imagery.

[ECUpirate44]

Meh, Apple Maps works for me, though I do miss street view. Flyover is more of a gimmick than anything.

[PDFierro]

Yay! It looks like a great app. Should definitely be a good solution for people like me who need transit directions. I always liked Nokia Transport and maps on Windows Phone.

[Scrumper]

I love it! It looks so much more grown up than Apple maps.

[UmbraDiaboli]

At first glance looks a billion times better than Apple Maps...

(Still can't get over the Apple Maps disaster)...

[zorinlynx]

Maps are blurry. Almost as if they're images always being displayed "zoomed in".

Geez, you'd think Nokia could do better. This is just sad.

[Allenbf]

If anything it should prove that Google's own app will be approved by Apple.

[justperry]

More maps options, downloading now, hope offline maps works well.

Edit: Offline eats a lot of data for the map to download, >5 MB for a 500 Meter2 and if you want a new map the old one will be deleted.

[nfl46]

I don't like them so far. The interface isn't appealing at all. It looks so blurry when zoomed in. I'll stick to Waze for now.

[everything-i]

Originally Posted by WillFisher

Inb4 where's Google maps

Google dropped the ball big time, excuse after excuse while Nokia just got their heads down and got the job done. Well done Nokia.

[BvizioN]

This is going to make Google hurry up a bit....

[sputnikv]

feels like a volvo

[beebler]

It's so bad, makes Apple's maps look like Google's. It has virtually no information in Japan. Few streets, no shops. It's basically blank! Someone's getting fired.

[satchow]

How dare Nokia talk so smugly about Apple Maps, and how they will rescue Apple users and then go on to release this horrendous app.

[Mad Mac Maniac]

I used it a bit on the way to work this morning. Not a fan.

Maybe its data is better than Apple's, but Apple's is hands down a superior experience.

[everything-i]

Originally Posted by Allenbf

If anything it should prove that Google's own app will be approved by Apple.

Google were just complaining about nothing to draw attention from not being ready. Apple obviously never made any suggestions to the effect that mapping applications would now be refused.

[shurcooL]

No! Things were better when we had a single Maps app from iOS 1.0 and no competition. Apple is bad for removing native Maps and YouTube apps and allowing there to be better replacements.[/sarcasm]

[tigres]

At least Kauai zoomed in is in color and has more detail than Apple maps- which are in Black and white zoomed.
perfect timing for me.

[pink thing]

Originally Posted by ECUpirate44

Meh, Apple Maps works for me, though I do miss street view. Flyover is more of a gimmick than anything.

This is the key for me. No one's going to come up with a street view service anytime soon. The sooner Google get an iOS app approved the better..

[mattpreston11]

Don't waste your time trying this out. Its terrible.

[makdeniss]

Used it a bit. Data is worse than in Apple Maps. Deleted.

[The Phazer]

Originally Posted by shurcooL

No! Things were better when we had a single Maps app from iOS 1.0 and no competition. Apple is bad for removing native Maps and YouTube apps and allowing there to be better replacements.[/sarcasm]

If Apple wants to move the OS level advantages it's own maps app gets and compete on a level playing field then you're correct.

As for this app - as I suspected, HTML5 based means it's crappy to use. However, the data is very, very significantly better than Apple. Nowhere near as good as Google's though.