Free Sat-Nav?

It seems that Nokia are now offering free Sat-Nav (both pedestrian and
driving modes - worldwide) for all their compatible mobile phones.

http://www.nokia.co.uk/apps-and-services/ovi-maps/main

Ovi Maps are free to download and free to update. They include traffic
information, diversions, lane assistance, etc.

Is this the end of 'conventional' car sat-nav?

ISTM that one of the biggest draw-backs to conventional sat-navs is the high
cost of regularly updating mapping. If Nokia are providing free world-wide
mapping updates - then why invest in a dedicated device?

I wonder if Garmin, Tom Tom et al, will be forced to provide free mapping
updates in order to compete?

Kev

Ret. wrote:

And I wonder what copy protection has been applied to these free maps so
that piggy-back applications canoot be developed for other devices (PPC, PC,
Android, whatever)...

Mike.
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Mike Coon wrote:

Yes. The mapping is Navteq - which Nokia own of course.

Kev

On 1/22/2010 10:39 AM, Mike Coon wrote:
pfft. As with anything, crackers will find a way around it. Although,
for those people using hacks, it'll likely be an uphill battle to
maintain their systems

--
"'Bill Gates can't guarantee Windows, so how in the HELL can you
guarantee our safety!' --John Crichton (Farscape)"

Freeballer wrote:

SFAIAA, no-one has worked out a way to 'pirate' Garmin maps - unless you
know better?

Kev