After first announcing and releasing HERE Maps on Android as a timed Samsung exclusive earlier this year, Nokia has expanded the free mapping and navigation application to Android users regardless of device, as long as the device supports Android 4.1 Jelly Bean or later with a minimum of 1GB of RAM.
The app, which is currently in beta, will need to be downloaded directly from Nokia’s web site and sideloaded onto the device. HERE Maps offers a number of features that beat many paid mapping applications as well as Google Maps with Navigation, such as downloading entire countries or regions for offline navigation and free voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions.
Planning routes via car, public transport, or foot is also available, however live traffic updates and real-time transit schedules still require a data connection. Nokia also claims maps are available for about 200 countries, with turn-by-turn directions available in about 100 countries. Transit maps are also available in 750 metro areas across 40 different countries as well with more added frequently. As the application needs to be sideloaded, it does not feature an automatic update mechanism and subsequent new versions will need to be manually updated from Nokia’s website.
