Nokia Here Maps to find its way back to iOS early next year
Nokia has confirmed that its Here Maps app is making its comeback on iOS early next year.
The Finnish tech company first released its mapping software on Apple’s mobile operating system in November 2012 as an alternative to Apple’s then widely criticized Maps app in iOS 6. But after failing to gain traction and receiving much criticism itself, Here Maps was pulled by Nokia from the App Store in December last year.
Last September, it was reported that Nokia would be rereleasing the app following its Here mapping division’s split from its handset business, which is now owned by Microsoft. According to the company, Here Maps would be relaunched before the end of the year on both iOS and Android.
Now, Nokia has launched Here Maps on Android. But it says that it’s still working on the app’s iOS version, whose rerelease on iOS has been pushed back to early 2015.
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At launch, Here Maps for iOS is expected to include the following key features found in its Android counterpart:
- Turn-by-turn driving and pedestrian navigation, including voice guidance with spoken street names
- Interactive maps of more than a hundred countries around the world that you can save and use offline
- Integrated public transport maps, directions, and information for more than 800 cities in more than 40 countries
- Real-time traffic and road closure information in more than 40 countries around the world
- Planning ahead with ratings and reviews from Trip Advisor, Lonely Planet, and more
- Meeting friends with Glympse, a way to share your location securely and privately
Most notably, Nokia Here Maps sets itself apart from most other mapping apps, including Apple Maps and Google Maps, with its support for full downloading of maps for offline use and ability to perform searches without an Internet connection.
See also: Apple adds new locations for Maps Flyover views and Siri movie showtime listings, Chat, meet up and drive together with your friends using Scout by Telenav, and AOL’s MapQuest now offers roadside assistance powered by Urgent.ly.
