If you are using a modern day smartphone, you are most probably also using Google Maps on it. Google Maps is a wonderful service – with a GPRS connection, the world was accessible to you. No more asking for directions, no more getting lost, access to local reviews and places right away. Google Maps spawned many services for anyone with a smartphone with GPRS. There are other mapping services too. Microsoft and Yahoo each have a map of their own, then there was MapMyIndia and Routeguru. Nokia had a maps application too, providing in depth maps for 6 major cities of India. When the Ovi Suite came, Nokia Maps became OVI Maps and added a number of features similar to Google Maps. What worked best for Ovi Maps was that it was preloaded on the phone – no more GPRS dependency (so it can work in poorly networked areas too, like the Rural India) and no more frequent battery recharging (packet data transmission drains your batteries). But it was limited by its coverage of places in India and the routing services (free in Google Maps) were subscription based with Ovi Maps. Ovi Maps also provided voice directions but then it didn’t make that much of a point to buy a subscription for the vocal guidance, when the same was available for free.
Today, in a surprise move, Nokia announced that the Ovi Maps will be free, foreover. The new Ovi Maps, now, not only has detailed maps for countries and places all over the world, but also features driving and walking directions, voice directions, GPS support, location sharing. It actually steps up to Google feature by feature.
Google Maps vs Ovi Maps
With Nokia making OVI Maps free, it has become a direct competitor to Google Maps. Does Ovi Maps live up to what Google Maps has to offer?| Feature | Google Maps | Ovi Maps |
|---|---|---|
| Available in | Over the Internet | Everywhere where Nokia sells smartphones |
| Detailed Maps | About 60 countries only | 180 Countries |
| Satelite /Terrain Views | Yes | Yes |
| Street View | Yes | Yes |
| 3D Landmarks | No | 6000 Landmarks over 200 cities |
| GPS enabled | Yes | Yes |
| Location Sharing | Google Latitude | Over Facebook |
| Location Aware Content | Search Nearby | Good Things |
| Navigation/Routing | Landmark/GPS Based | GPS Based |
| Voice Guided Navigation | No | Yes |
| Car/Walk Guidance | Yes, limited countries | Yes, 74 countries |
| Community Content | Yes | No |
| Premium Content | Yes | Yes |
| GPRS Required | Yes | No |
| Mashups | Yes | Not Yet |
| Cost | Free | Free (was subscription-based earlier) |
What is most notable here is that Ovi Maps now covers 180 countries, 46 languages, drive and walk navigation in 74 countries, pedestrian-only zones in 100 major cities around the world, over 6000 3D landmarks in over 200 cities, weather updates, premium travel content by Michelin and Lonely Planet, local Event guides and a lot more. This is exhaustive even when compared to Google Maps. Plus, since the depedency on GPRS/network doesnt exist anymore – you can safely get directions even in remote locations, have lower bills and enjoy greater accesibility.
If we look at the feature-set, it so appears that Ovi Maps overrules Google Maps in content and Features, but Google Maps is a behemoth – thanks to the tons of mashups and 3rd party tools that integrate Google Maps in their service. While, Ovi doesnt have that 3rd party base yet, Nokia believes that Ovi Maps now makes using and sharing maps as easy as sending a text message – a hint for developers to take up making applications for Nokia devices a winner.
Watch this video introducing the Ovi Maps features:
It is no more a battle of features, content and accessibility. Who will win betwene Ovi Maps and Google Maps is a question of deployability and integration with 3rd party tools.
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