Nokia Maps 2.0 graduates
Guest blogger: Martin Ramsin from Nokia Maps team
Nokia Maps 2.0 is now ready to graduate from beta. Since it was announced back in February a lot of work has been done to correct bugs, improve and add new features.
Thanks for all the comments and constructive feedback! We have been reading carefully each and every comment and many of the improvement made to the final Maps 2.0 come from your input, for example:
“Difficult to see what licenses I have purchased” – we added a “My licenses”.
“7 digit Postal Codes does not works in the UK” – works now.
“Difficult to find how to plan a route” – new flat menu structure makes this easier.
“I walk faster than GPS can keep up” – increased the GPS frequency
“Cannot zoom to see route overview in navigation” – added manual zooming
“Show longitude and latitude” – added in Details view
Etc.
The main new feature since the beta is Network based positioning. It will position you really fast, usually within 5 to 10 seconds. It works indoors, on a bus or train.
Network based positioning cannot be used for navigation since it is not accurate enough. However it works just fine for showing where you are (roughly) on the map. A pink circle in the map shows the accuracy of the position. When GPS fix is achieved, this is used instead of the Network based position, and the pink ring disappears.
Network based positioning is now enabled on all A-GPS enabled devices. (E90 users need to install new software update that will be available soon).
In addition to new features and functional improvements, we have expanded the navigable countries with New Zeeland, Venezuela and Chile. You can use Map Loader to get the latest maps.
Maps 2.0 is graduating from beta labs. Check it out on maps.nokia.com!
/The Nokia Maps team
And still leaves out all non FP1 users, and Nokia still refuses to software upgrade models that are a year old, like the E61i.
Looks cool, though.
Comment by Nick — May 23, 2008 @ 10:04 am
The E61 was released in Summer 2006, I make that pretty much 2 years.
The E61i was merely a facelift to that, no major upgrade.
At the end of the day, there has to be a balance between performance and features. Software that’s high in features won’t run so well on older hardware, if at all.
Comment by Ben Rose — May 23, 2008 @ 10:21 am
I’ve found a bug, where’s the best place to report it now the software is live?
When opening maps and trying to go on-line I’m getting an error says maximum connections is in use and prompting me to disconnect one first. The only connection in use is maps itself. This is on a clean boot with no other apps running.
Connection manager application confirms there are no other live connections.
Comment by Ben Rose — May 23, 2008 @ 10:36 am
@Ben Rose
Check that you are using the same access point for AGPS and Maps. If not you can get this conflict.
To check what access point is used for AGPS go to the Settings application on your phone and find “Positioning”. Verify what access point you have set in “Positioning Server”.
hope it helps.
Comment by martin — May 23, 2008 @ 10:46 am
What happen with Japan maps? I remember that when I first use Maps Loader to downloads Japan maps, it’s quite big and has good street detail. Now, whole Japan maps is 5MB and there isn’t any street details in big city like Tokyo or Osaka.
Please bring detail Japan maps back to Maps Loader.
Comment by RT — May 23, 2008 @ 11:19 am
Running the latest release (v2.0.2102) I must say I’m very pleasently surprised. Nokia Maps has gotten way better compared to the first 2.0 beta. Compliments. I’m really considering leaving TomTom.
One question though: will there be POI support in the near future? I read about all kinds of workarounds to add POI’s from other NAV-soft as landmarks in Nokia Maps, but all with results that do not fit the need.
Speedcams is one of the missed POI’s, but also the ability to add custom gas stations. Audible alerts to certain landmarks would be the second wish.
Any development in that direction?
Thanks.
Comment by roma — May 23, 2008 @ 12:00 pm
@roma - Settings…map…categories…
Not what you want?
Comment by Ben Rose — May 23, 2008 @ 12:20 pm
@Ben
Not exactly. I can enter a POI there so that’s a good option. I can not import a list of POI’s (or Landmarks) I can download from specific POI sites. Speedcams is a list of those offered bij SCDB. These change at a regular base since new cams are added and old cams deleted.
I also get gas for my car at a certain brand of station, due to the discount I get. I’d like to know the nearby station when I’m somewhere else in the country. I can download a list of gas stations from that brand, but can not upload them to Nokia Maps.
Or do I miss something?
Comment by roma — May 23, 2008 @ 1:42 pm
I’m using extended error log and right after start it shows Application Closed: PosServer KERN-EXEC 3!
Is it okay? AGPS (network based gps) does not work indoor so far. Still search bar still always on screen =( Any plans about traffic info in Russia? We’ve got lot’s of service here that provides real traffic situation it will be very nice to implement them in Nokia Maps. I hope to hear some comments.
Comment by Alex — May 23, 2008 @ 1:54 pm
It “New Zealand” not “New Zeeland”
Comment by Rajen — May 23, 2008 @ 3:00 pm
@4 - I did check that one before posting, but it still appears to do it. I’ll test some more.
Comment by Ben Rose — May 23, 2008 @ 4:53 pm
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Pingback by Nitrio Mobile Blog » Blog Archive » Nokia Maps 2.0 graduates — May 23, 2008 @ 7:04 pm
New flat menu on the central click is an achievement.
If only all the rest of the UI could follow.
E.g. make it flat but hide Map Modes, and Tools content on a separate Settings page, styled like the Extras page.
Comment by Sergey Zak — May 23, 2008 @ 9:00 pm
Please, update Japan maps to street detail.
It’s completely useless to have the maps we have now for Japan.
Comment by Jordi Vidal — May 24, 2008 @ 12:57 am
I swear the 1 year voice nav license only cost $49 something (New Zealand dollars) when I installed it. Now its $139 or something.
Why is it so expensive?
Comment by Jake — May 24, 2008 @ 10:24 am
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Pingback by GPS Obsessed » Nokia Maps 2.0 Out Of Beta With A Bunch Of New Features — May 24, 2008 @ 11:51 am
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Pingback by Nokia Drive: Maps 2.0 Beta [Update2] » Onbezet.nl — May 24, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
Hi, the street map for Chile is wrong placed. It don’t match the real position (offset is about 50 meters ). The sat map show the real position.
How can I help to fix this?.
Comment by Pablo — May 24, 2008 @ 7:09 pm
[…] información | Nokia Beta Labs Descarga | Nokia Publicado en Aplicaciones, Nokia | Deja un […]
Pingback by movilbroker » Blog Archive » Nokia Maps 2.0 — May 24, 2008 @ 11:15 pm
hope the URL of the satellite view!
Comment by maxwell — May 25, 2008 @ 6:30 am
Damn.. Still no ETA in Maps. It still says arrival in 51minutes instead of the actual time.
Example. If I am on my way to a client, and they call me asking when I will arrive, then I have to look at the present time 14:21 and then add the 1 hours and 36 minutes which I have left.
I would be cool if I just could answer 15:57 instead of during calculation while driving and on the phone at the same time.
Comment by lars — May 25, 2008 @ 9:33 am
Agreed lars, it would be nice if ETA was an option in the menu. Choose time left of choose time of arrival. No need to have them both at the same time, it just takes screen space.
Some visibility about traffic conditions up ahead would be great too. Knowing what you’re getting in to.
Comment by roma — May 25, 2008 @ 10:33 am
The network based positioning is cool, but what about satellites status?
Comment by Alex — May 25, 2008 @ 4:04 pm
Please bring back Maps 2.0 in the BETA version!
Everything was previously working fine for the Hong Kong maps, as all street and place names were in English, as shown on actual street signs here.
Now,in the “graduated” version, they’ve converted the names to something else (Pinyin? Romanized Mandarin?)), so “Kam Sheung Road” is now “Jin Shang Lu”, which makes the Hong Kong maps totally useless because nobody here uses the latter names. Even tourists trying to find their way around Hong Kong will find the maps useless, because they won’t be able to search for any address they’re given in English!
WTF?? Extremely frustrating. It wasn’t broken, but they fixed it, and now it IS broken ….
Comment by alcatraz — May 26, 2008 @ 2:04 am
No E61i version… as other owners of non FP1 version, I am more than disappointed… I hope hoping some efforts before the graduation
2nd class citizens…
Comment by tom — May 26, 2008 @ 6:57 pm
I would like to thank Nokia for the little attention to the customers.
My E61i is 5 month old and it in not possible to update Nokia maps to version 2.0.
Incredible.
Comment by Piero — May 26, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
[…] Maps 2.0 is uit beta en officieel uitgebracht. Ik ben best onder de indruk in vergelijking met versie 1. TomTom wordt door mij bijna niet meer […]
Pingback by Nokia Maps 2.0 gereleased » Onbezet.nl — May 26, 2008 @ 10:44 pm
G8 news.when will we get this in market?i line it’s map trait.Excellent one.
Comment by Bailey — May 27, 2008 @ 12:17 pm
Pedestrian use in Maps has been greatly improved with 2.0, I especially like the shortcuts, the disabling of voice navigation (it’s too inaccurate for pedestrian use) and the on-the-fly choice between drive and walk.
Some issues though:
- the search feature has odd behaviour. Sometimes it filters correctly but at other times it’s not given the desired results (e.g. it won’t show Home even when the search input is showing ‘h’ only). I believe this has to do with inputting the filter data too quickly/slowly/oddly, causing the actual search to work on an already filtered list - or even a completely misaligned set of pointers.
- network positioning rules, but is apparently only used on startup? When going from overground to underground on a train and Maps is stating ‘waiting for GPS’, there seems to be no attempt whatsoever to fall back to network positioning.
- The placemark icons aren’t compatible with the Landmark application (on N82 and possibly others).
- pavements/sidewalks alongside bigger roads (yellow ones) are often missing (obviously Maps can’t have every path but some of these omissions cause really odd routes). Not really an application bug though, rather a map data issue.
Comment by Rob Kaper — May 27, 2008 @ 5:59 pm
Possible that itinerary calculation from “Montebelluna to Milano” take 4minute and 30 seconds ?!?!
Comment by Stefano — May 27, 2008 @ 7:06 pm
Err.. ““Difficult to find how to plan a route” – new flat menu structure makes this easier.” Sure, it might be easier but it is miles from easy (not sure if its easier if you have a licence)
When I open the application, there is basically no indication how I should plan the route. Going to the Options many leads to a very complex search function. Trying to type in an address in the home screen does not appear to work. Certainly does not work for our address for example - including because our house number starts with 1 and when I try to click 1 as the first character I get a views selection many instead!!!!! HELLOOOOOO!!!! WHAT THE F!!
Comment by Viipottaja — May 28, 2008 @ 12:10 am
Ups, clicked send too soon. So, I click the center selection key.. ok.. drive to.. maybe if I click that I get to put in an beginning and end address.. of course no such luck. Add to route.. ok what the heck did I just add.. WHERE DO I JUST TYPE IN AN BEGINNING AND END ADDRESS TO GET A DAMNED ROUTE??????????????????
And I promise you, usually I don’t shout like this..
Comment by Viipottaja — May 28, 2008 @ 12:12 am
Ok so typin in an address like “2300 M St NW Washington DC 20010″ does not return any results either.. talk about a useless search function. And yes, I have downloaded the maps for my area.
Comment by Viipottaja — May 28, 2008 @ 12:18 am
Still no support for non-FP1 devices.
Why are you so obsessed with N-series? Except E90 (which I consider in a different category), none of the E-series phones have FP1 and your refusal to release Maps 2.0 for non-FP1 phones really annoys me. You just ignore E-series.
Comment by Burak — May 28, 2008 @ 9:39 am
Which part do people not understand? The technology advancements in Maps 2.0 don’t work on non-FP1 phones…they’re not up to it.
I appreciate that some of you have been owners of such phones for less than 12mths, but you need to look how long they’ve actually been on the market. You could buy a 15 year old car now, but it doesn’t mean thst they would retro-fit the latest factory fit sat nav in it.
Comment by Ben Rose — May 28, 2008 @ 11:49 am
Dear Ben Rose,
I fully agree with Burak (post 34). My E61i (no brand) is five months old and it is still in Nokia catalogue, and you are compairing it to a 15 year old car !
I believe that this phone will be my last Nokia.
This is not the right way to assist your customers.
Best regards
Comment by piero — May 28, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
@Piero - That’s just Ben’s point. The E61i might be only 5 months old to you, but it was announced and released early last year. When you go to a new car dealership and they have 2007 models sitting next to the 2008 models, you don’t expect them to retrofit the 2007 models, do you?
I’m not trying to blindly defend, but just pointing out that all products have support lifecycles, and a 12-month old phone (based on when it originally hit the market, not when you bought it) is aging.
Comment by Ricky — May 28, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
As I’m sure I mentioned before…the E61i was merely a facelift E61 model too…trying to get a few more sales out of the older model before replacing it. The E61 is an old phone, period.
People hang around for handset prices to drop in order to get a free one from their network provider during a network upgrade. There’s a reason these devices are free…they’re end of life.
Maps 1.x was old software that they put onto newer handsets until better software was made available that could utilise the newer hardware functions.
Maps 2.x uses much newer functions available in the OS like, for example, A-GPS. This was only recently added to N95 and E90 handsets in a firmware release and simply isn’t supported on older handsets.
You guys are wanting a VCR to play DVDs, your only option is to buy a DVD player…but of course when you do you will complain that it doesn’t play Blu Ray discs.
Comment by Ben Rose — May 28, 2008 @ 6:17 pm
Yep, the pinyin form of street name issue in Hong Kong is totally unbelievable. I thought that it was only an issue on the beta version but I was wrong. The map becomes almost useless now. Nokia, do you listen? I’m forced to use google map now. Perhaps, I’ll be forced to use an iPhone or WM one.
Comment by Emil — May 28, 2008 @ 6:46 pm
after looking for several maps navigation for my 6110 nav. i finally chose garmin mobile xt for my nav software, because it offer routing guide, but because nokia 6110 has weak gps signaling (not yet the same class with the pure gps gadget), the satellite positioning often lost.
now with nokia maps 2.0, it seems i can have a great backup for my garmin nav, since nokia maps is more detailed then my garmin map.
Comment by ridwan — May 29, 2008 @ 11:51 am
How about releasing a version for of Maps for S40 devices? There’s got to be demand for it too.
Comment by MaxS — May 29, 2008 @ 11:12 pm
The 2.0 maps for New Zealand are great, a massive upgrade. They would be even better with a more comprehensive database of POI.
It would be great to see the CC licensed data from www.zenbu.co.nz built in too - Zenbu a community built POI database of 45,000 businesses, in the last year. The POI are already baked in to the NZ Open GPS (Garmin) maps and are a strong, compelling feature.
Comment by Sam G — May 30, 2008 @ 12:04 am
I have Nokia N95 8GB. The final version of Nokia Maps is great. But nevertheless the final version still have one bug: when i try to change categories of points of interest, which i want to display on the map, my phone always reboots. Please, fix this bug!
Comment by Igor — May 30, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
[…] Nokia Maps 2.0 graduates from Beta Labs. May 23rd. […]
Pingback by This week in mobility - week #21 — May 30, 2008 @ 2:21 pm
Hi Martin,
Looks good! The full UK postcode search is great, and you also listened to my comments about the routing options - I like your solution to provide an “optimised” option. I’m also pleased that you’ve taken up the suggestion to implement google-maps style network-based location. That’s a great improvement, and works really well. (Ideally this will be built into the device firmwares along with A-GPS so that it works with all apps - a really obvious use for this would be the location tagger that needs to be able to find a location very quickly).
Queries:
1. Presumably behind the scenes you will now start to think about Maps 3.0?? If so, will some of the suggestions gathered from the Maps 2.0 beta be carried over (for example voice input), and when might we expect to see a beta 3 version on beta labs?
2. I see that the website says that Nokia isn’t responsible for the RTTI information:
a. Disappointingly, the most relevant RTTI info near me is seriously inaccurate and I need to report that to someone to get it put right. Who can I report it to? I can’t find any documentation to tell me this. (The FAQ statement on the website seems surprisingly unhelpful in this respect - “Nokia receives the traffic information from third party suppliers who get the infromaton from various sources like local automobile clubs.
Nokia does not have an influence on the quality and accuracy of the traffic information data since it is delivered by third party suppliers.”
b. Reports on the web talk about Nokia gathering the data direct from their Maps users. (http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9868169-7.html) What are the timescales for that going live?
Thanks, Geoff
Comment by Geoff — May 31, 2008 @ 3:06 am
I have the N82 and this version has more bugs than v1.0. when on menu you cannot select the settings with center button, you must use the ’select’ button, but this is not consistent with all functions. Also you cannot set the zoom out level, it sticks and keeps zooming out until you stop it with zoom in key.
Comment by Ricardo — May 31, 2008 @ 8:28 pm
Hi again Martin,
I’ve just noticed a couple of things that I’m really surprised and disappointed that issues I reported as part of the beta process have not been addressed. These seem important and I find it very hard to understand why they haven’t been. Can you explain please why this is, and whether there are any plans to adress these issues and if so when?
1. The rather glaring usability problem that has existing since Maps 1.0, when selecting an address from contacts. It insists on having a country name entered before it will search (unlike any other search type in Maps 1.0 or 2.0), and does not provide any default, for example to the current country.
This makes what should be one of the great plusses of a converged device with an address book and the Maps programme into a tedious process with an unnecessary and time-consuming annoyance. I’m amazed that Nokia has ignored this and not bothered to provide what would surely be a very simple fix!
2. Journey times in Maps 1.0 were reassuringly conservative, and usually I could be sure of getting to my destination with time to spare compared with the preducted time. But in Maps 2.0, the joutney times are seriously under-estimated. This again is something that I reported as part of the beta process, and again has not been fixed. Yesterday I used Maps 2.0 for an urban journey of 13 miles, which took about 30 minutes. What was the Maps 2.0 estimated journey time - 13 minutes!! I’d need a helicopter to do the journey in that time!
Again I can’t understand why this problem has not been addressed.
When blatant and important issues like these are reported through the beta process and then not addressed, it for me raises very serious questions about the effectiveness of the beta process, and about the degree to which Nokia developers pay any attention to it - and when that is the case, there will clearly be an issue for contributors about why we should waste our time reporting important issues only to have them ignored - without even any explanation.
Tommi - as this raises such an important issue about the effectiveness and value of the beta project, can you please speak to Martin and do what you can to ensure we get an answer, please.
Comment by Geoff — June 1, 2008 @ 4:21 pm
Hi - I’ve found a fix for an issue where Nokia Maps v2 loads to 30% and then quits, which I’ve posted here :
http://discussions.nokia.co.uk/discussions/board/message?board.id=navigation&message.id=4742&query.id=101303#M4742
Might be worth noting so a future fix can be incorporated into Maps v2.1
Otherwise - good work - Maps v2 is amazingly good and I’m particularly impressed with the time taken to get a satellite lock.
Comment by Edward — June 1, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
ju.hu
Comment by szőts endre — June 2, 2008 @ 9:07 am
I tried Nokia Maps and I liked it. But I am using a Mac. To load the maps into my nokia I have to use a computer. Nokia Maploader is only there for Windows.
Now I can manually download the maps from internet and manually install them in my Nokia. But to do so I have to get to a non-nokia website where a friendly hackers shows me what to do. He also has the Maps for download and offers all this service for free.
Why can’t make Nokia such information and the Maps available as long as Maploader is not compatibel with mac and other non windozzze systems?
Peter
Comment by Peter Almere — June 2, 2008 @ 9:45 am
I am using Nokia 6110. Route 66.com maps are more claibrated than the Nokia Maps. Have to work much harder to incorporate a lot of new data and roads. I think high time Nokia tries of its own independent map .
Comment by Sunil — June 3, 2008 @ 4:46 am
Hi,
just tried the new Maps Version 2.0 and I am totally amazed. It’s way better than the Version before. I still have one big issue though.
I own a Ford Focus 2007 Car with an integrated Ford Bluetooth Handsfree System. If my Nokia E51 is paired with it, there is no accoustic navigation. As soon as it it is unpaired there are voice commands. It would be great, if you were introducing an option to set the output always on the integrated mobile speaker!
Best regards from Germany
Karsten Kortüm
Comment by Karsten Kortüm — June 4, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
Hi, can someone please tell me how to search on uk post code ? I have just installed version 2 on my N82, it is stated that you can now search on uk 7 digit postcodes but when I try it only searches on the first 5 digits. I might just be simple but cant seem to get this working ? any ideas ?
Comment by John Wright — June 4, 2008 @ 8:54 pm
I am in Hong Kong right now, and its true, NOKIA do you hear ME? No one uses Hong Kong in Chinese Pin Yin, and I noticed that the country stated is China, how about HK. SAR? The reason why the Pin Yin does not work is that some street names are literal translations of English road names, whilst some are interpretations of the Cantonese versions of the names.
Please re-name all the road names on the MAP
Comment by da-N82 — June 5, 2008 @ 12:30 pm
Ben Rose: “The E61i was merely a facelift to that, no major upgrade”
Not true. It was a software upgrade, a CPU upgrade, an increase in RAM. The specifications of my E61i match or exceed many of the FP1 phones coming out, and Nokia is still *selling them as new*. In today’s market, you cannot survive by not supporting your phones. Apple is upgrading iPhones to 2.0 this summer, likely for a fee. Windows Mobile phones can generally go up one full revision if the manufacturer commits to it. Nokia is the primary holder of Symbian and S60 — you’d think they could handle upgrading their own phones. It’s disappointing, and the users are getting upset.
Comment by Nick — June 5, 2008 @ 8:08 pm
There are no apparent features from the development point of view in S60 3.1 which would make Maps 2.0 unable to run on 3.0. Some features from the Maps 2.0 might be omitted for 3.0 version, but in the platform nothing fundamental has changed. The real reason behind this is obviously that Nokia wants us to buy newer phones, or Maps 2.0 is done in such a manner that it would work unacceptably slow in most 3.0 devices, which just happen to have slower processors and this is something which has not been seen important enough to address (”Hey, let’s make this run only on 3.1 with some artificial constraints so we don’t have to optimize the drawing”). Assraping customers like this is typical from any big corporation - all we can do is whine and/or get newer devices.
Comment by Markus — June 6, 2008 @ 4:01 pm
when will A-Gps (network based gps work with Nokia maps and the E90? A-GPS works fine with google maps but not nokia maps.
Quoting above: “Network based positioning is now enabled on all A-GPS enabled devices. (E90 users need to install new software update that will be available soon).”
What is this update and when is soon?
Comment by jonlee — June 8, 2008 @ 11:12 am
MAPS 2.0 is very nice - but:
The calculated trip times are very unprecise. Especially for city and overland routes, the navigation system doesn’t seem to consider traffic lights and other hassles of city traffic. I would be very happy if the time calculation feature would be useful and more than just a very rough estimation about trip times.
Yet another thing:
The system does not learn! There is one route I drive once a week which in reality takes 55 minutes - but over and over again Maps promises 33 minutes which is far away from being precise. It would be very useful if Maps could memorize how long certain routes take and then consider this for the next trip calculation (e.g., due to this information another route wins in comparison). And, to add another thing: Why not using collaborative traffic data, e.g. that Maps automatically downloads trip details (length, duration etc.) from the server wich was collected from other users bevor?
At the moment, Maps 2.0 is half-intelligent, but not able to learn.
Thank you!
Comment by Philipp — June 8, 2008 @ 3:27 pm
@57 - jonlee,
The update is out already and works fine.
I’m running firmware version 210.34.75 for this, try running Nokia software update. If you’re running a firmware that has been customised by your provider, e.g. Vodafone branding, then you’ll need to contact them about an update or crack your phone to apply OEM Nokia firmware.
Comment by Ben Rose — June 9, 2008 @ 9:58 am
@53 John Wright. UK 7 character post code only works when you are online. If, like me, you don’t have a decent data plan, you have to do your research before you leave the home wi-fi environment and save the places as favourites for later use on the road. Frustrating.
Comment by Nick G — June 9, 2008 @ 6:51 pm
Ben,
I’m running 07.40.1.2 RA-6. I’m with Vodafone. The network based GPS doesn’t work at all with Nokia maps 2.0 wk22b04. Works fine with google maps.
This is the latest offering from the software updater. Any ideas?
Comment by jonlee — June 10, 2008 @ 1:17 am
@60 Nick G - I sympathise but I’m inclined to say that Nokia Maps 2.0, as with the ‘Web 2.0′ products, is a connected product designed for the connected world.
If you don’t have suitable connectivity then you certainly won’t enjoy the full feature set, but it hasn’t been designed for that. Indeed, I’d go as far as to say that these people should stick with the older version.
Many providers now give an unlimited data plan at a reasonable cost. I’d rather pay it and have my mapping data updated live.
@61 Jonlee - Yes, that’s the version I used to have. Google Maps doesn’t use the same technique and does certainly get a fix a lot faster when using that handset firmware.
My handset actually shipped with Vodafone firmware based on 7.24.0.3 but when firmware 7.40.1.2 shipped, a Vodafone equivalent wasn’t available. I modified my handset to allow it to update using the OEM Nokia firmware. This was in Early November 2007.
Clearly, since then, Vodafone HAVE shipped a branded 7.40.1.2 firmware for owners…so it may be just a case of you waiting a while for them to catch up, the latest firmware I am running was released on 22nd May.
There are numerous valuable improvements in the new firmware. This link should give you them:
http://www.symbian-freak.com/quides/firmware/logs/e90_firmware_201.htm
The big ones for me were the fast GPS lock and the improved white balance under flash photography. It’s also considerably quicker in places like Contacts.
You can either wait for Vodafone to release an update or Google around for information on how to modify your phone as required. I don’t think this is really the place to divulge that info :O)
Comment by Ben Rose — June 10, 2008 @ 11:58 am
Wish you were sending map update notices or something… Russian maps are not detailed too well and seem to be outdated…
However I tried Garmin, Google, Yandex maps- they are definitely worse to use on my N95 8Gb!
Comment by Philipp — June 13, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
As mentioned by others here, the Hong Kong maps are totally useless. This is an incredible faux-pas of a company like Nokia.
Comment by Matt — June 14, 2008 @ 2:20 am
Navigation for cars is much to optimistic (duration of journey) and pedestrian navigation is much to pessimistic. Other navigation systems are much more precise.
Comment by Philipp — June 16, 2008 @ 3:01 pm
after i using nokia maps 2.0, my phone hang!!!!! im using n82…
Comment by roslan — June 17, 2008 @ 3:08 am
RTTI Traffic Rerouting does not work at all.
As I had to experience, RTTI does NOT distinguish between road werks (which allow me to pass by) and real traffic jams (Germany). So RTTI tries to reroute me ALWAYS even if there are just road works. This is, sorry to say, absolute nonsense. What a pity that I paid for it.
Comment by Philipp — June 18, 2008 @ 12:37 pm
I just upgraded to Map 2.0 and was surprised to see that I now need to buy a license to get route information and driving directions. I had been using the previous version for the past 4 months and never had to pay for any licenses. What happened?
Comment by Mike — June 20, 2008 @ 3:45 pm
E61i not supported by Nokia Maps 2.0 - ridiculous
Hi all,
Since when are we expected to write of computing/electronics equipment in less than 1 year? If I buy a PC now, should I expect not to be able to run software on it that is released one year from now?
I understand Nokia Maps 2.0 would not be able to make use of hardware features or firmware features of newer devices but it could well be made to work with older phones!
The key problem here is that the “alternative” Nokia Maps 1.0 is a very poor implementation of navigation software and hardly worth the trouble. It seems Nokia Maps 2.0 is more up to standards.
I am not sure if Nokia staff read these posts (its becoming rather difficult to contact Nokia trying to find you way through the website that clearly is designed to discourage direct contact). I would much appreciate an answer.
If Nokia doesn’t care about its customers, its customers won’t care about Nokia…
regards,
Jan
Comment by Jan — June 26, 2008 @ 6:56 am
Jan,
We do read the posts. At least I read all of them.
I’m sorry that Maps 2.0 doesn’t work on older devices that don’t have required APIs. I have to recommend you to try www.google.com/gmm. It’s really good too.
Comment by Tommi Vilkamo — June 26, 2008 @ 6:04 pm
Tommi,
Thank you for your prompt reply. Unfortunately Google Maps is hardly an alternative since the map data is downloaded all the time and not stored on the on-board SD that has plenty of space. This quickly burns through many $$$ here in New Zealand & Australia where mobile data plans are prohibitively expensive.
Basically you are suggesting I should not bother using a smartphone that has everything it needs to do the job and go out and buy yet another gadget or throw away a 1 year old phone and buy a newer one? A dedicated navigation tool such as the Tom Tom will be a lot cheaper to use than any “solution” for the Nokia smartphone. Too bad I bought a Nokia phone with navigation as one of my requirements in mind. Why bother enabling the phone to use GPS receivers at all?
You haven’t yet convinced me that Nokia cares for its customers investments. I spend a lot of time investigating which smartphone would suite my needs and bought the Nokia E61i because it clearly was designed to be used as a navigation tool as well and I didn’t mind paying a higher price compared to alternative smartphones.
Would you mind explaining why Nokia Maps 2.0 could not be made to work with the APIs available on recent phones such as the E61i? Surely the software can detect which phone it runs on and use the appropriate APIs? Or Nokia could adjust Nokia Maps 2.0 for recent phones such as the E61i, re-using most of the components of Nokia Maps 2.0 currently available?
The bottom line I think is Nokia should not obsolete its devices so quickly if Nokia wants to maintain its good name in the industry.
Hope to hear from you.
kind regards,
Jan
Comment by Jan — June 27, 2008 @ 8:11 am
Jan, I feel your pain, but unfortunately I can’t answer you, I don’t know the details.
> The bottom line I think is Nokia should not obsolete its devices
> so quickly if Nokia wants to maintain its good name in the industry.
Agreed on that.
Comment by Tommi Vilkamo — June 27, 2008 @ 5:09 pm
Tommi,
I much appreciate you taking the time to respond to my posts. I would be most pleased if you could pass on my posts to the relevant people in Nokia who set out these strategies. In hope it might have an effect.
best regards,
Jan
Comment by Jan — June 28, 2008 @ 12:22 am
Hi, I have been using my N95 8gb for GPS navigation since getting it when it was released. Whereas it initially seemed fantastic, the technology/software has not kept pace with competition, so it now feels VERY outdated. Chief concerns are:
1) Still no 7 figure Uk postcode lookup (when offline)
2) UK Maps data is poor (road priorities often wrong, ie who has right of way is incorrect)
3) No safety camera info
4) voice guidance limited (Nokia:”at the roundabout take the 2nd exit” vs TomTom “Go straight over at the next roundabout taking the 2nd exit”
5) Route calculation is poor. I have often noticed that nokia sends me on a longer than necessary route. In one case suggesting a 120mile route cross country rather than the 70 mile motorway route (and yes, motorways were enabled and route type was quickest)
If anyone doubts these issues, try using the nokia alongside a TomTom or similar device. There is no comparison.
These problems (for me) mean that my phone is no longer a convenient alternative to a dedicated device. Roll on Nokia Maps 3.0!
Comment by David Cleave — July 15, 2008 @ 11:06 pm
Re: my previous post. I should have specified that I am using the latest (2.02602) version of maps…
Any plans to put these right Nokia?
Comment by David Cleave — July 15, 2008 @ 11:08 pm
I am really hoping to keep my nokia e90 devices but i totally agree that keeping up to date is important. I had a chance to test bed the blackberry (30secs) and Iphone 3G (15 secs). The AGPS are really well utilised and no one needs to wait 2 mins for the phone to get a signal!
Searching by postal codes or landmarks as put forth above are consistenly incorrect.
And wonder how often does the phone itself check for an update? I think there must some versioning that can be automatically done to remind users to always check for the latest version. And if you do reconnect your device, how do you see which is the latest version for the maps (to be loaded) and compare with what you have in your device?
Hmmm.
Comment by AN — July 28, 2008 @ 1:14 pm
Hi there,
I have almost exactly the same issue as item 52 above - I have a 2008 BMW with Bluetooth as a factory fit option and a Nokia E90 running th every latest version of Maps 2.0. The Bluetooth works fine for making or receiving calls but will not provide any Voice navigation acoustics. I have to disconnect Bluetooth to hear Voice commands through the phone’s speaker but then can’t answer or make a call without breaking the law and risking a fine (or worse!). Not much good and rather defeats the objective of having a single converged device. Is there anything I can do to solve this? The voice navigation comes across loud and clear in using my wife’s Nokia CK-7W Bluetooth Car Kit and happily cuts in and out as calls are placed/come in.
Regards
Phil
Comment by Phil — July 28, 2008 @ 4:47 pm
[…] spent a good chunk of my vacation zipping around Europe with the Nokia N78 and Nokia Maps 2.0, courtesy of the Nokia Blogger Relations program. Before leaving Canada, I made arrangements […]
Pingback by Nokia N78 and Maps 2.0 will make you think twice about buying a GPS. — Alec Saunders SquawkBox — July 29, 2008 @ 2:55 pm
Uhm, I have a BIG problem…. I foolishly downloaded the new “nokia map loader” and updated my maps for Sweden. The maps that was on the phone (even though using Nokia Maps 2.0) seemed to be TeleAtlas maps, but in the update they became NAVTEQ maps, which are quite outdated in areas.
Also it seems the navigation went crazy (although I’m wiping the maps and re-re-re-installing to make sure), quite often claiming I was *driving backwards* and said “Make a U turn” even though I was quite obviously driving in the right direction (the little arrow was really backing up on the display… !?!?)
This is really frustrating since a “fairly new” (some years old) piece of road I drive on quite often (a reroute west of Malmköping, Sweden) isn’t even there in the NAVTEQ data!!
How can I get the TeleAtlas data back? It was obviously “there” and working well with maps 2.0, but any maps 2.0 update now enforces NAVTEQ data!!! That’s bad.
/Z
Comment by Zap Andersson — July 30, 2008 @ 1:19 pm
WTF is this Hong Kong thing with Nokia Maps 2. What an amateur setup for a company like Nokia. How can you choose to implement such a useless map for the so called “Asias World City”?
How long can it possibly take to make the correction. Admit you screwed up and get on with the job!
Comment by Yeager — August 12, 2008 @ 7:31 am
Maps 2.0 is not useful on tehe E71. Too big are the black stripes on the right and top. Please fix it !!!
Comment by Roman — August 14, 2008 @ 4:58 pm
Hi Nokia, I can confirm 52 and 77 in my Ford S-Max in connection with a E51. No nav sound available. As I click myself through various threads discribing this bug I beginn to wonder whether Nokia wants to offer help here or sell more car kits instead. Is there a publicly available bugtracker or a release plan for firmware updates somewhere on the net? Consider it as a suggestion to get more transparent so an insignificant Nokia consumer knows where he is @.
Comment by Clemens — August 14, 2008 @ 5:23 pm
Hi, i have a N95 and i have installed Nokia Maps 2.0 some days ago. I provided to download the new maps and lenguage voice. than I update the licencese that i had bought with the previous verion of Nokia Map. Now I can have voice command only in online mode and if I’m not connected to data transfer nokia maps doesn’t work correctly. It doesn’t show me the route and it doesn’t ive the road commands. Is there something i’m doing wrong or it’s a software bug ?
thank and regards
alberto
Comment by alberto — September 13, 2008 @ 1:08 am
no sound when navi…… anybody can help on this?
Comment by ricky — September 17, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
Japan map really not usable. No details. Please update asap.
Comment by kawee — September 23, 2008 @ 9:45 am
Maps 2.0 has some improvements but the maps seem older and out of date. Several catagories in the setup up are not available to search for in the my places section, ie campsites and wi fi hotspots both of which you could search for in the older version. Still lots of room for improvement.!!!
Comment by Simon — September 27, 2008 @ 6:10 pm
Nokia maps 2.0 should support older phone (pre FP1)!
Comment by Bhedzjo — September 28, 2008 @ 11:36 pm
no sound when navi…… anybody can help on this?
Comment by ricky — September 17, 2008 @ 2:07 pm
..U may have to purchase the license! and this’s not cheap!
Comment by Bhedzjo — September 28, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
Ben/Tommi/Anyone at Nokia… Hong Kong Maps!!
Can someone PLEASE RESPOND to the several posts regarding this problem. MAPs is completely useless in PinYin. Is there a planned fix?
Yours Hopefully
Justin
Comment by JB — October 2, 2008 @ 9:50 am