Nokia is prepping Ovi Maps as the ultimate combination of GPS, map and web service

GPS is unseperatable feature in modern mobile phones nowadays, and Google Maps is one must have application that’s not only easy to use but also a free service to utilize your handset’s GPS feature.

With those in mind, Nokia is bound to change that way of thinking with their newest web-based service offering called Ovi Maps. The first two of Ovi’s offerings are to let you share photos and buy music, at its portal web site. On Tuesday presentation at Where 2.0 conference in Burlingame, California; Nokia introduced Ovi Maps which will add a robust web component to its already capable handset navigation software.

GPS is not a problem at all for Nokia, since most of their newest and high profile models are already equipped with it. But before I talk about more about what’s so exciting about the upcoming Ovi Maps, let’s see what this Nokia’s navigation software that’s called Nokia Maps 2.0, has to offer on our dining plate? Here’s the rundown of the menus list:

• Local database storage, unlike most carrier-based services which are server-based and require network access to function; Nokia Maps 2.0 keeps its database in the handset. So you’re still able to use it, even if you’re out of cellular network range.
• Comprehensive database; that provides turn by turn voice navigation, plenty point-of-interest (PoI) & pedestrian directions which all are based on the regional of the country you’re at.
• Flexible prices, pay per month. If you’re in Europe you’ll need to pay around $14 for access to the service, and for the pedestrian directions version only cost between $8 and $9. Yet another $14 fee for license walking/driving software if you’re in North America or another region.
• Billed via credit card, not through your carrier’s monthly bill. This is why Nokia's minimum license is for 30 days; while carriers can afford to add small charges for single-day access to their bills, the credit card overhead would kill Nokia's profits if it were to try the same approach.

Now about the Ovi Maps, besides optimizing the use of above features from Nokia Map 2.0; Maps on Ovi lets you do all of your travel planning on the web and then sync up the results to your Nokia’s handsets. Either you do that on the handsets or on computers (laptop or desktop), you’re still able to save the favorite locations and routes them onto Ovi Maps. Sounds a very promising a complete set of menus, which other GPS devices like Dash Express or Garmin nuvi 880 haven’t been able to offer yet. For instance, you could search for businesses in a certain area, create a route, and save it; the service would then ship it to your handset for use later on.

According to Yardena Arar (PC World), Nokia is planning to offer this service for other mobile phone manufacturers. But Nokia will try to promote it with its own handsets first, where the service may be a bit of a hard sell in the US since Nokia’s market share there has been relatively small compared to other brands.

All looks and smell tasty to try, so how about it Palm? Any idea to counter back such delicious service offering? It’s no longer a trend to rely on 3rd party GPS software to be integrated into smartphones anymore, the manufacturer itself has to be able to create a competitive service in the tighten market.

[blogged with my Treo 750v]