After my complaining two days ago about the devices now comes the time to give some praise as well. At the Mobile World Congress Nokia announced 2.0 incarnation of maps. At this point it's beta version but after playing with it fot the few days I've had it installed I must say it's now a MUCH better application than the previous version was. The first thing that I've noticed is the speed of rerouting; it now takes about 2 seconds to recalculate the route.
First thing first: The interface has been completely revamped and not feels more like a real GPS instead of a phone. The first thing that stands out is the colors; the interface doesn't look like something out of Toys-R-Us store anymore. It's mostly black, brick-red, some blue. Some might say it looks a bit dull but surprisingly it's quite "peaceful". One of the main features that I like a lot is the MUCH improved search feature. Since the interface now employs a transparent menus, the whole screen doesn't look as cluttered - which allowed to include the search window RIGHT on the main screen. All you need to do now is just start typing what you're looking for and get this.... press the D-Pad middle button. This button has not been used on ANY native application for soft menu buttons but in Maps 2.0 it finally got some useful functionality.
Next thing that I've noticed is another welcome improvement. Now I don't know if the software has anything to do with it but the GPS signal acquisition takes only about 30 seconds or less. I'm sure the assisted GPS (A-GPS) has something to do with it. It's simply a pleasure now to launch the software and in less than 30 seconds have the full signal. Next down the list is the menu structure. Most of it was redesigned and is in different order. At first I had a still moment where I could not figure out where such things as map view was but after a few seconds it all started coming back together and making sense. While in "cruising" mode if for example you want to switch to 3D Map, you have to press the "Options" menu button then go to map and switch to a different view. Now the cool part comes when you're in the turn-by-turn navigation mode (premium feature). That's when the middle button comes in handy again...press it and you are presented with three icons at the bottom of the screen letting you select Standard 2D, 3D or Directional navigation (arrows telling you where to go).. The application also gained another perk...it's now capable of showing the satellite view. The only drawback is that the satellite view doesn't seem to be stored on the phone and instead is downloaded "on the fly" through your data connection.
One confusing feature is the Search menu (not from the main screen but under the Options sub menu). In the old version the history of searches was right under the main search menu. In the new 2.0 it's hidden one level deeper...in Search / Favourites. After using the application for a couple of weeks I still forget where the history of searches is located at.
Another nice "touch" to Maps 2.0 is the overall feeling of a stand alone GPS unit. If you've played with Garmins, TomToms, or any other GPS receivers currently on the market you know the nice icon driven menu that allows you to get to settings, options, and everything else - well..you got that on board now as well..
I give Nokia Maps 2.0 a definite "thumbs up"
As you can see from the above menu you now have an option to add a stopovers in your route. I do not recall if that option was available in the previous version but if it was, It must have been hidden pretty well since this was a feature that I wanted to use many times in the past. My overall experience with Maps 2.0 has been pretty good and it's nice to know that this is a free application that gives you a plenty of features without paying a penny. I'm sure many people will bitch at the fact that you need to pay extra for turn by turn and voice guided navigation. To me this is not an issue. In the past I have paid for a monthly service ($13) which is basically three Grande Caramel Macchiatos from Starbucks...sure...it would be nice if it was completely free but if you look at any commercial stand alone GPS receivers - they too charge for services such traffic updates or city guides. With Maps 2.0 Nokia is giving away a good application with basic functionality but charges you for Turn by turn with voice, city guides and traffic info. Standalone GPS would be useless if it would not include turn by turn and you had to pay for it. Nokia is a Phone with GPS where GPS is a DEDICATED navigation device that makes money on other services. Look at it this way...Most GPS makers charge you for updated maps so in a year or so your maps may become outdated. Nokia gives them away free of charge. Charging for extra services allows Nokia to offer the application with base functionality free of charge.
Since Monday of this week an interesting even has been happening in Spain. It's called MWC - Mobile World Congress...previously known as 3GSM Congress. Well after following the news for the past few days I do have to say that I am officially jaded. There has not been anything that would make me "drool" enough and make me say "I want that"
Yes... there is the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 which promises to be a true World device with 3G supporting pretty much all continents (including WCDMA 1700 (aka T-Mobile US flavor). Then there are some Google Android shots all over the web. Android is promising to be anice device but let's wait until we see the real thing hitting the market. Only then one will be able to tell if is was worth the wait. Then we have my favrite phone manufacturer; Nokia. Where do i start the bitchiness... Courtesy of WOM World I was invited to a virtual launch of new device(s) on Monday. I'm a bad boy.. I got the times screwed up and missed the virtual event (SORRY DONS). After reading about the new devices I came to the conclusion that I did not miss anything MIND blowing. True..S60 Touch was mentioned with some of the functionality and preview..running on a PC. The thing that upset me the most though is the devices that were announced which again proved that Nokia is definitely committed to fragmenting the world. I've mentioned this before numerous times but in order to have a "Connecting People" slogan as a corporate motto the company should follow it as well.
Let's look at the examples starting from the top shelf devices:
N96 - the new flagship phone which will be replacing N95. Updated design, Quad band GSM and ONLY dual band WCDMA (that's 900/2100) plus on top of that there's DVB-H for mobile TV). Now this is STRICTLY European device in my opinion. If one will choose to utilize it in North America the device will be HIGHLY overpriced brick with onyl WiFi and EDGE usable for data connection as it lacks not one but two North American 3G frequencies. Time will show if Nokia will be kind enough to release the NA version (i.e. N96-3). DVB-H could be substituted with embedded Sling player but in my opinion there will be no excuse to stuff it with at&t 3G flavor. When this device launches it better be ready to ride on T-Mobile and at&t network. The memory size is beautiful but the battery is the killer again and what's with the LED flash. Yippie...now we have TWO LED's. Nokia, how about making your signature device stand up to its name... at least 1200 mAh battery, XENON flash, Quad band GSM PLUS tri/quad WCDMA. This will be a winner. Not some device that was "pimped out" to look better than its predecessor.
Next we have a device with North American (read at&t) 3G flavour - a candybar style. Again looks like Nokia is going back to its craziness roots of funky keypads (3655, 7610 etc). This phone looks like a step up / back...Step up because it's a new device and looks almost like it's an upgrade of N82. But not so much. The camera is slapped down to 3.2 MP and Xenon flash is gone. W-T-F Nokia??? Again...why oh why?? Normal keys, Xenon, 5MP camera + US 3G and again - it's a winner. And the last time I checked USA has Two major GSM carriers...one supporting 1900/850 WCDMA and another preparing to launch on the 1700 Mhz...so this phone is a piece of junk in my opinion because obviously it's geared towards at&t crowd only. Snap out of it Nokia...T-Mobile may be smaller but we also want good devices. Don't treat us (T-Mobile subscribers) like damn bastard children. We can only be patient for so long.
Then there were two more devices - first is 6220 - again - this phone would be the device of choice for me (although I love the dual slider factor of my N95) if it wasn't for the fact that it has only dual band WCDMA in the European flavor. This device would kick ass of N82 - it has Xenon flash, GPS, WiFi, 5MP camera and the standard ffare of S60 stuff...basically it's an upgraded N82 but nicer....if it wasn't for the lack of TRUE North American 3G. Let's hope we will see this one launched with 1700/1900/850 WCDMA. One oddity is the lack of WiFi on this device
Step down and to the side of 6220 is 6210...dropping the camera resolution to 3.2 MP and looks like Xenon flash is gone too. Not much to say. In my opinion Nokia did too much of mish-mash with the devices released at the MWC. On one side extra features were added to less less interesting devices and on the other hand less interesting features were added to more interesting devices. A complete mix up. I'm deeply disappointed that Nokia is not treating the relevant markets equally. Treats North America to a "mediocre" device if one decides to compare it to the ones announced for Europe. Yes...the Yanks may be cheap, RAZR loving suckers but there's over 300,000,000 of them and I'm sure that even one-tenth would be a nice market chunk for Nokia and I know a few that would fork out over $500 for the right device. Look at iPhone sales...an obsolete EVERPRICED device and still sells like a warm biscuits for the full price. Nokia...GET A LIFE.