Nokia’s HERE Maps update brings 4 key improvements and drops the beta tag [VIDEO]
Quentyn Kennemer
Nokia has released a new update for HERE Maps, the company’s technically-sound mapping and navigation solution for Android. First thing’s first — it’s no longer considered beta. Not sure what that means to you, but that’s typically a good sign that the app is in good shape.
That’s not the only thing today’s update brings, though. Nokia made a handful of key improvements in various areas of the app that you’ll likely appreciate:
Downloading area maps can now be done in the background, so you can exit the app and keep up on the download’s progress by checking the notification.
You’ll no longer have to check the fastest route to a destination for each type of transit by switching between tabs — HERE will automatically show a few of the fastest routes regardless of transportation mode. Swipe to the left and right to get to different categories if you want to drill further.
You can now tap on a business on the map to get information about the business. A restaurant, for instance, will now show reviews, images and a phone number.
Added support for 3D venue maps, such as for malls or sports arenas. You can view from whichever perspective you prefer, and for multi-level buildings you can switch between levels with ease.
And, of course, you’ve got the typical user experience improvements, performance enhancements and bug fixes that tend to come along with these bug updates. Google Maps might be the most convenient navigation option for an Android user who uses Google for everything, but Nokia’s HERE Maps make a strong case to become a primary option for many others. Grab the latest version from Google Play right here.