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OVI Maps 3.6 has graduated from Nokia Beta Labs, which means that we finally have the final version of Maps 3.6 ready to download. Version 3.6 is a much improved version, you can see what’s new right here.

How To Update

Now chances are you already have the Beta version installed and OVI store will only give you the option to “Launch” as it assumes that you already have the latest version. Here’s an easy way to update to the final version 3.6 or v3.06 11wk10 b01.

1.Go to the OVI Map page on your PC using your browser. It can be found here. Remember to Log in.

2. Put “/download” at the end of the URL, so it should like this: http://store.ovi.com/content/100493/download and download the .sis file to your PC.

3.Install the application using OVI Suite on your Symbian^3 device and it should install overwrite the Beta version.

4.In OVI Maps go to: ?>About Maps> Versions and it should say “v3.06 11wk10 b01.”

While at Nokia World 2010 I had a little talk with the OVI product manager. One of the burning questions was whether OVI Maps with voice-guided navigation was coming to the N900. The answer was simple: they are currently focused on bringing this feature for the MeeGo platform and if the code is easily transferable/compatible with the N900, they will make the update available to the N900. If it’s something that takes huge amounts of effort to “convert” to get it working on the N900, they simply won’t do it. In short, it all depends on the compatibility and the amount of time required to transfer this to the N900. 

What’s your opinion on Nokia decision?

In case you missed it, a new OVI Suite is out with reported better support for the N900. We’re also hearing that a new update will be coming down the road for the N900 to make use of all the features of OVI Suite.

Remember to restart after installation and you should be good to go. The updated version can be found here.

As of October 1 2010 Nokia will discontinue OVI Files, according to an email send out to OVI users. Nokia recommend it’s users “to uninstall the Ovi Files Connector installed.” According to them this won’t affect the files on your PC, but you will loose online mirroring of files already on your PC or Mac:

“You will not lose any files as a result of this service discontinuation. Ovi Files simply creates an ‘online mirror’ of the files saved on your Windows PC or Mac, so your original files will remain intact. The files on your computer are always treated as the master version, even if some are selected as ‘Anytime Files.”

Instead of backing up to the cloud, Nokia strangely recommends using OVI Suite, which falls in a totally different category.

If you still need online backup, there are plenty of free choice out there including Windows Live SkyDrive and ADrive.

Did you use OVI Files a lot? WIll you miss it?

Last weekend my Nokia N900 was stolen. With hundreds of contacts, losing the device was horrible, but losing my contacts was a nightmare. I did make a backup a few months ago, but that means that some of my newer contacts are lost. While the N900 does have a backup feature for contacts, it makes a lot of sense to have this process happen automatically and store these contacts into the cloud. We usually don’t think of these until it happens to one of us. This is one of those times where I wished I made more frequent backups, but that I also wished the N900 had feature that stores contacts into the cloud. Funny thing is that Nokia does have such a feature and it’s called Ovi Contacts. Sadly, after many months it still only a Symbian exclusive.

Why? There’s absolutely no reason why the N900 can’t  support this feature. There’s onboard support for OVI chat and even files can be uploaded to OVI, so why no support OVI contacts stored into the cloud?

It’s true that I should make regular backups, doing so would save me a lot of headache! But fact is that the average user won’t bother making any backups and that both the average and power user will simply we forget to this. For this reason  the process should be transparent and automatic, and should at least allow some level of customization when it comes to the frequency it makes backups. Nokia should enable this feature and allow activation through a one-time setup. Such a feature can be a life saver, but Nokia you should at least enable this for us N900 users.

As a N900 owner, do you wish it had an automatic backup feature that stores contacts into the cloud?

With what can only be seen as as another blow for dedicated portable navigation devices, Nokia has released an application called Own Voice for Ovi Maps. This application lets you create your own drive guidance instructions and share them with friends and family. With free voice. Our friends at AllaboutSymbian have more in-depth guide to this new app.

Another do-it-yourself solution from Nokia is the OVI app wizard, that allows you to create your own apps in minutes. The idea is great and should not only allow people to make their own customized apps, but it should open the range of apps available. OVI app wizard can be found here.

Both the Nokia E71 and E66 are getting the latest version of Ovi Maps with free walk and drive navigation. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, as Nokia generally has a habit of updating their most popular handsets long after their initial release. Especially the E71 is one of Nokia’s most popular device and is still a popular choice, reason enough for Nokia’s blessings in the form of this update.

E71 and E66 owners should get the latest firmware update by downloading the latest version of Nokia Software Update and than getting the latest version of OVI Maps for their devices.

Speaking of OVI Maps, isn’t there a certain Maemo 5-based device that still needs to get this update?

The Nokia N900 finally got its share of GPS navigation goodness from Sygic, with their Mobile Maps for Nokia N900. The turn-by-turn voice guided navigation application is the first to hit the Maemo platform, but does come at a steep price, especially when you consider that other Nokia devices such as the N97, E72 and now the N86 8MP all have unlimited free voice guide navigation with OVI Maps.

Currently they’re supporting Europe (59.99 EUR), US (49.99 EUR) and Canada (39.99 EUR), with more regions to follow soon. Adding it all up, we would be looking at a price of about 150 Euros. At that price I could easily get the Nokia 5230 with free OVI Maps turn-by-turn voice guided navigation. With more regions being added soon, you’d be looking at an even higher price if you go the Sygic route.

One could argue that the average user will probably stick to a single region and that buying all available regions at 150 Euros is unrealistic. That’s true until you realize that OVI Maps is offering all of those regions and MORE completely free. For this reason we can’t really recommend Sygic with their Mobile Maps for Nokia N900, unless you really want to have on the N900. We’d say skip it and simply get a second device, such as the Nokia 5230.

As for for the updated OVI Maps for the N900, we’re still getting the “We are working on extending OviMaps w/ free navigation also for other Nokia phones” from Nokia. In the mean tim I think I’ll just dream of my N900 magically getting OVI Maps with free navigation.

Are you getting the Sygic solution or would rather wait for the updated OVI Maps for the N900?

Nokia has announced that a new version of Ovi Maps for its smartphones that includes walk and drive navigation is now completely Free! Supported devices include the Nokia N97 mini, Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition, Nokia E52, Nokia E55, Nokia E72, Nokia 5230, Nokia 6710 Navigator, Nokia 6730 classic and Nokia X6.

Strangely missing is the N97. But we’ve been assured that “that compatibility for the N97 will be coming very soon!” The part that has not been confirmed, but what’s likely causing the delay is that a new firmware for the N97 is coming next week and that Nokia is waiting for the firmware to release the Maps update. So when they soon, this probably means next week!

What about the N900? Apparently the N900 could get it eventually, but that’s not a priority right now. According to Engadget in call with Michael Halbherr, Nokia’s VP of Social Location, they were told that: “N900 owners shouldn’t hold their breath, though, as Nokia is focusing on bringing its free navigation service to the next generation of Maemo devices. That’s not to say that the N900 won’t get it eventually, only that it’s not currently on the roadmap.”

The N900 just recently became available, yet they are focusing on “next generation of Maemo devices.” But why does a device such as the E72 get the support? This is simply unacceptable from our stand point. (Update: The N900 will get this update, but not soon)

There’s no denying that that this announcement is simply awesome, making the entire suite of OVI services a strong argument in favor of Nokia devices, but I also have to wonder how much of this was influenced by the fact that Google made walk and drive navigation free on it’s Android devices. This is also begs the question how this will affect the sales of dedicated GPS devices, mannufacturers like TomTom and other navigation apps on the market. It’s very convenient though to be able to just simply pick up your device and use it as a GPS unit, without ever worrying about fees or buying individual city maps.

The latest version of OVI Maps can be found here.

What do you think of today’s announcements?

Our friends at WOM World/Nokia have invited us to the OVI Daily App “Must Have App of the Year” virtual awards 2009. This award celebrates the best mobile applications of the year and invites us to vote for the best apps. The final winners will be announced live on January 6th, 2010 at Ovi Daily App.

All I can say right now is Gravity and more Gravity! Shazam is also another noteworthy app and TuneWiki for Maemo is also very impressive. What’s your app(s) of the year?

THE NOMINEES ARE…

Music App

• BandFan
• Midomi Music Identifier
• Playlist DJ
• Shazam
• TuneWiki Lyrics Search

Social Networking App

• BuddyCloud
• Facebook for Nokia
• Fring
• Nimbuzz
• ShoZu

Twitter App

• Gravity
• Tweets60
• Twittle
• Twittix
• Pixelpipe for Share

City Guides and Mapping App

• I Parked Here
• Lonely Planet Live
• PinPoints
• Trapster
• WorldMate 2009

Photo or Video App

• CellSpin
• Nokia Photo Browser
• Scalado PhotoRama
• Touchnote
• Qik

Entertainment App

• Anina Backstage Model News
• Netflix for Nokia (U.S. only)
• Dad’s Cab
• SPB TV
• Vibrate

News & Info App

• Accuweather.com Widget
• AP News Widget
• Bloomberg
• Metro News Widget
• Tech Buzz Homescreen Widget

Must-Have Games

• California Gold Rush
• Eat This!
• Farm Frenzy
• MicroPool S60
• Super KO Boxing 2

Utilities App

• What is your vote for Must-Have Utilities App?   DocScanner
• Florin Finance Tracker
• SBSH VoiceQ
• SMS Tag
• Vlingo