When iOS 6 was announced, the single biggest feature was the new Apple Maps. Apple had successfully ousted Google from their mobile platform to make way for their new mapping service. Things could not have gone more disastrously in the coming months. Choke full of bugs, incorrect point of interests, embarrassingly bad 3D and what not, it was clear that Apple Maps was nothing but an unmitigated disaster. A disaster that will take some time to be fixed.
This gives way to other mapping services to make their mark. We’re already aware that Google is working on their maps app. But today Nokia has unveiled theirs. Conveniently named HERE, this new app brings Nokia’s expertise to iOS. Powered by Navteq, it offers cool new features such as Facebook integration, turn-by-turn directions, the ability to save maps for later, transit directions etc. In addition to this Nokia HERE also offers step-by-step voice-guided walk navigation and public transportation and driving directions. Nokia HERE will also let you download maps for a particular geographical location for offline viewing.
Nokia HERE is available in the iOS App Store for a price of ‘free’. Now the wait continues for Google to brings its prowess back to iOS.