Nokia announces new mapping service “HERE”

Nokia has recently announced its latest mapping service called HERE – a new and improved cloud-based location brand and platform.

Nokia can be considered a veteran when it comes to mapping. It has provided location services to a wide range of platforms like Garmin and Windows Phone. Now the Finnish company is revitalizing its navigation services with HERE.

All current Nokia Maps features are still included but with the addition of other cool stuff like:

• Collections – allows you to save locations to your Nokia account and sync them across your devices so you can view them over the web or on your smartphone.
• 3D Maps – as the name suggests, the feature gives you a 3D view of major locations around the world. The data is provided by C3 Technologies – the same company that supplies data to the Flyover feature of Apple iOS 6’s Maps.
• Map Creator – allows you to edit roads, paths and traffic information which are then added to the maps so it can be viewed by others.
• Street view functionality through Nokia’s acquisition of Earthmine.

Sounds good? Well, that’s not all of it. Nokia is bringing HERE to iOS and Android with offline support. The iOS version will debut in the coming weeks while an SDK for Android will be released at the first quarter of 2013.

“We are creating Here to span across many devices and operating systems. We want to give anyone with any type of devices the ability to use this, the best location platform in the industry,” says Nokia President and CEO Stephen Elop. “That openess is what sets Here apart from any map in the world. And with Here, location will set Nokia apart.”

You can try Nokia HERE here.

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