Tag Archive for 'Nokia'

Adventures in Nokia Maps pt. 3: the POI catalogue

Published on February 5, 2009 in Geomensch. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

IMHO Nokia Maps 3.0 has basically two outstanding features:

  • great cartography on small displays
  • comprehensive POI catalogue

While trying Nokia Maps I usually kept thinking why I would buy Nokia Maps and not use Google Maps mobile, which is a free application. If it’s only for looking up addresses and directions, and I don’t care about the mobile data connection, I’d go for Google. Google does the same or even a better job here.

When it comes to looking up POI nearby, Nokia Maps is way ahead of Google.

The other day I was looking for a post office, because the one I knew was under construction and closed (and the staff there couldn’t tell me where the nearest post office is btw). The official Austrian mail site totally failed on a mobile browser, no chance to get a list of their offices. Google returned a couple of search results considering my location, but would have sent me way far away to a post office in another district, giving nice directions with public transport though. Nokia Maps showed me two post offices in the neighborhood and provided walking directions of course.

Post offices is of course only one category in the catalogue. The POI catalogue seems very well organized and can be explored quickly, even tough it’s pretty comprehensive. I found the catalogue better usable and more efficient on mobile devices than a Google Maps mobile search for POI.

Better usable because a search for POI in Google Maps mobile requires you to stop, type and check results. A catalogue you can explore easily while walking, by using only one thumb, just like an iPod. It requires less attention than a text search.

More efficient because a Google Maps mobile search basically returns lots of locally irrelevant results. Google is probably working on that, but in the meantime Nokia delivers better, clearer and more useful local POIs.

Additionally there is an entire guide-section in the catalogue, providing mobile tourist guides I guess. Unfortunately I didn’t try this feature.

Bottom line: people who want more out of mobile maps than just address search and directions should give Nokia Maps 3.0 a shot.

Adventures in Nokia Maps pt. 2: public transport

Published on February 4, 2009 in Geomensch. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

The main point I’m interested in when it comes to mobile maps is pedestrian navigation. In Vienna I don’t own a car, usually move around by bike, or use public transport during cold and wet periods like this month.

One of the first things I tried using Nokia Maps 3.0 was to find the best route from our new office to one of our client’s office. Easy task: I enter the address of our client’s office and hit “Walk to”. Somehow I expected Nokia Maps to consider public transportation on the route, which, as it turned out, it does not. Instead it proposed me a 1½h hike across the city. I’m sure it was the quickest route walking, but certainly not what I was looking for.

Ok, Nokia Maps 3.0 doesn’t feature public transport directions. Google Maps Mobile does in Vienna btw, it offers public transport incl. walking directions, which is really useful.

Otherwise, Nokia improved public transport coverage in Nokia Maps 3.0 a lot. You can browse the POI catalogue and find the nearest bus/tram/subway/railway stop, plot them on the map and let you guide there. That’s a start. Once you’re on the subway or bus, you probably figure out how to move around. However, built-in public transport directions would be even more convenient.

Adventures in Nokia Maps pt. 1

Published on January 27, 2009 in Geomensch. Closed Tags: , , , , .

WOM World approached me and asked if I would be interested to test Nokia Maps 3.0 on a Nokia 6210 Navigator. I agreed and they sent me a test device last week. This is the first post out of a short series, I hope.

Unlike others, I received a two-pin plug in a two-pin plug country and am actually able to recharge the device. All manuals are written in some nordic language, Swedish I guess, but since I own a Nokia E71 myself with basically identical menus, I didn’t really need manuals. The other problem was that all Nokia Maps licenses were limited to Scandinavian countries too, which doesn’t help a lot when you want to test the application in Central Europe. A quick email fixed the problem. Good.

The device itself has a Navigator button which loads the map application immediately. Positioning works very fast, it instantly had me located on the map and the cartography looks very good at a first glance.

One annoying thing is that the back cover, where battery and SIM are hiding, opens really hard. “Aufquan” would be the best Austrian term to describe the process of simultaneously pushing and pulling the button with a pen or knife, which supposedly should release the back cover. I’m using my own SIM from my cell phone and need to change it frequently in order to try the 6210 Navigator. So that’s a small problem I have with the device.

Full disclosure:

  • I’m not getting paid by Nokia or WOM World.
  • I have to return the test device after the two weeks test period.
  • WOM World covers my carrier expenses during the test period.
  • I’m not obliged to post anything.

Why I’m doing it?

Because I like maps, gadgets and was curious about Nokia Maps 3.0. I guess I’m not hard to convince when asked to play around with some tech toy for two weeks.

What does WOM World / Nokia get out of this?

Some backlinks, little buzz and maybe some useful feedback.

Rubber

Published on January 23, 2008 in Random Box. Closed Tags: , , .

Don’t like Nokia cell phones too much, but their rubber boots are quite nice.

Nokian Finnwald

[via _]

Location aware iPhone

Published on September 21, 2007 in Geekery and Geomensch. Closed Tags: , , , , , , , .

iPhone Navizon Wifi PositioningTabletBlog covers a well done comparison between Apple’s iPod touch and Nokia’s N800. While reading and watching the video, one thing became clear to me: if I get such a web enabled mobile device, it has to be location aware. I don’t want to enter address strings and zoom and pan on maps until I find my position. I want the mobile web browser knowing my position automatically. I want instantly see content relevant to my current position whenever I open Google maps app or any site offering location aware content and services.

Gizmodo reports about a hack, actually it’s just about loading the Navizon app onto the iPhone, which adds GPS-like functionality (as they call it) to the iPhone. Apparently it’s nothing else then positioning based on cell towers and WiFi access points.

Basically it’s a feature most carriers could easily offer. But at the same time it’s a feature with serious privacy concerns. The question who is in control of and who gains access to people’s location information is a very sensitive one. Sooner or later there has to be a solution, as this will turn out as one of the most important features on mobile devices (yeah, I know, location based services are said to be the killer feature since 1998).

The mentioned Navizon solution still is a hack and not supported by Apple. The Apple iPhone is a closed platform, meaning none other than Apple is allowed to add functionality. In my opinion it’s the main reason for having a closer look at alternatives like the Nokia web tablets. Unlike Apple, Nokia still gives you control over the device you bought.

I hate mobile ticketing!

Published on November 30, 2006 in Random Box. Closed Tags: , , , , .

This time it was my turn to get tickets for me and a few friends of mine in advance. At the ticket office I was told that paper tickets are already sold out, so I had to try this mobile ticketing thing.

Problem #1: I’m only allowed to buy 4 tickets at once, but I need 5.

Problem #2: If you buy more than one ticket at once you have to enter the name, the phone number, no problem until here, and, believe it or not, the cell phone model for each person!! Think of 4 of your friends and name their exact cell phone brand and model. This is an impossible task!! Besides, what would be the reason to set a limit of one ticket per cell phone?

Problem #3: Even if I would remember every single cell phone model I couldn’t enter the number of at least 3 friends because they use their business cell phone and their companies won’t pay for party entry fees.

So we just decided not to go and join another party instead. Yes, listen carefully Nokia, there are still parties you can enter without mobile ticketing.

Very uncool Nokia, very very uncool.

Mobile obsession

Published on November 30, 2006 in Random Box. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

Nokia gives us a lecture in “how to convince skeptical users of mobile ticketing” by offering only a limited number of paper tickets – I simply can’t believe that this venue is already sold out – and forcing people who want to buy tickets in advance to order them on their cell phone.

So I guess Nokia leaves me no option but to try this mobile ticketing thing. I hope you get at least a drink at the party without using your cell phone.

Very uncool Nokia!

Old fashioned mobile user

Published on November 27, 2006 in Geekery. Closed Tags: , , , , , .

Yep, I’m an old fashioned paper ticket buyer, not a trendy mobile ticketing user as Nokia would like to see most of their guests at Nokia Trends.

It’s quite obvious that Nokia is trying to promote mobile ticketing. Popular mobile applications are good for mobile business. Strange enough that Nokia doesn’t even believe itself in its technology. Or why else would they mention a back-up system and ensure potential mobile ticketing users that everything is going to be fine, even if the mobile ticket (an encrypted image sent to your phone) doesn’t work.

I experienced too many unreceivable picture messages from different mobile phone brands and operators than mine is. So why should I bother and risk mobile ticketing when I can be a 100% sure that paper tickets will do their job just fine.