Nokia apes Google, gives gratis satnav route guidance

Nokia has redesigned its Ovi Maps navigation software and has decided to stop making users pay for turn-by-turn guidance. It's hard to conclude that this is not simply a response to Google’s creation of Map Navigation, a free route guidance app for Android devices. Ovi Maps Ovi Maps: 3D landmarks help you see where you are …

[Neur0mancer]

Oooh!

So when will this Map Navigation be available on the iphone?

[Jaques Croissant]

Too little, too late

This would be really exciting if their flagship device wasn't unusably buggy and horrid... :(

[Anonymous Coward]

Superb !

I've already tried TomTom, Sygic, Garmin, CoPilot, etc on my old but supremely functional N95 8GB, and Ovi beats them all (for me anyway). Paying for route guidance was a pain in the butt though, unless I wanted to be a naughty boy. Well done Nokia !

[gautam]

Oh well!

Whoever said competition is good for the consumers - bless! But what abt the 8 billion paid by them for the firm?? tch tch. What a waste! Why cant they offer cheaper smartphones instead?

[iMlite]

Feature price plans?

So, what of those Nokia phone users who paid extra for the 'Comes with Navigation' features now free to all and sundrey?

Personaly, I will be downloading this - always useful when out and about and as its free I wont complain - now whys it sending me right when the sign says next truning on the left?