[krizanand]

Just saw a new version of Ovi maps(3.06) in the beta labs, go and grab it here. http://betalabs.nokia.com/apps/ovi-maps-306 Note: This beta version is not available for S60 3rd edition devices.

[scoobyman]

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krizanand wrote:
Just saw a new version of Ovi maps(3.06) in the beta labs, go and grab it here. http://betalabs.nokia.com/apps/ovi-maps-306 Note: This beta version is not available for S60 3rd edition devices.

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Hi krizanand

Map version now 0.2.41.123 and for the world = 8.14GB so expect to be connected to the server for hours unfortunately!

Also note in Support > Participation - the default value is ON and send data to Nokia.

[ravidavi]

And still no contact search. Amazing.

[SITI87hajar]

Can't update the map using Ovi Suite and Map Loader. Any help?

[myrjola]

And no support for N900 / Maemo either ...

[kiltbear]

Still no contact search? you've got to be kidding!

The developers seem to take incompetence to the next level.

A map app on a smart phone wihtout contact search is utterly useless.

Even dedicated Navigation devices can search for phone contacts either after uploading from phone or directly on from the phone via BT.

It's really byeond sad that Nokia seem to be unwilling or unable to make this work.

[chanchan05]

I think the problem with contact search lies in the fact that the format for address in the contacts app needs to jive with the format with the Ovi Maps. As this is only still a version 3 update, I guess contact search would not be implemented yet. T_T

Currently, a work around would be to go to maps.ovi.com, create a collection (label it contacts maybe) and input landmarks of your contacts' homes/office/whatever. Afterwards, sync it to your phone. Under the favorites menu in Ovi Maps, you will see this landmark list to which you can navigate.

[kiltbear]

And you think such a convoluted workaround is adequate for a modern smart phone?

I think not. I still think it is rather pathetic and frankly, unacceptable.

Nokia desperately need to hire a few software developers both on the desktop and handset side, who actually do have a clue.

And they need to do it before the last potential customers for their higher end handsets have walked, which means they have to do it soon.

Getting the data out of the contact database and feeding it to the maps app in a format it can work with is not rocket science, it is a rather straight forward, pretty simple thing, since both database formats are a) know and b) static.

[chanchan05]

Uh, yeah, they're already developing SYmbian^4 for release next year since like last year.

I never said it was adequate. I just said it was a work around.

Frankly, I may not be allowed to post this, but this is my opinion.

2 years ago, with the release of the 5800, Nokia announced that it is working on the next gen Symbian OS Symbian^4, with the transition OS of Symbian^2 and ^3. ^3 will be released later this year basically as a hybrid of current Nokia interface and a similar base program to S^4. Nokia seems to be putting its bets on S^4 and MeeGo combination for its high end devices for 2011, as stated in the announcements 2 years ago. Basically, all phones released between that announcement and the release of S^4 and MeeGo are just to keep money coming in until they're release.

So if you are actually expecting Nokia to give you stuff for current phones like what you are saying, I sort of doubt it as resources are pouring into the new Symbian OS and the phones that will run it. Think of it as Nokia's Motorola Moment (when moto suddenly fell and is now coming back witha vengeance using Android).

Furthermore, many people always think, oh its so easy to do this, that and that. Go talk to cellphone hackers, programmers and stuff. Its not simple, especially when the maps data is not complete for the most part yet. What you all also fail to realize that its a free service (free is always worse than paid if you would notice). If you find it inadequate, there are several other mapping and navigation applications you can consider.

[mccoy1]

Why do they jump to 3.06 but the current map isn't working properly?

[kiltbear]

I used to work in software development for 20 years until i moved on to other things in IT

Trust me, what Nokia is giving us with maps on the phone and the OVI Suit is pathetic.

Also trust me,  getting the data formatted from the contact database to maps would be ridiculously easy, everybody else can do it, except Nokia. Go figure.

By the time they have a competitive product, the customers will be gone.

As for motorola, in the US they may make a dent, but here people are still keeping away from them going for other droid devices, and they are also keeping away from Nokia, at least in our organization.

Look, I was a huge fan of Nokia, never have considered anything else in the past, except one stray S-E K700i. But the piece of %&ç* called 6280 and after tha that the truly abysmal, slow as a slug, unreliable disaster that is the N97 together with stable-as-Charles-Manson behemoth OVi-Suite, will most certainly have me look elsewhere next and never come back.

The current Nokia smart phone offerings especially the higher end ones make one truly awful, annoying and frustrating package.

[chanchan05]

@Mccoy -maybe they thought that it would be easier to give a new maps software as opposed to fixing bugs.

@kittbear - as I said, the moment Nokia announced their Symbian development intents around two years ago, right after the 5800 was launched, I looked for their release calendar and based my updates on that. The N97 never crossed my mind as an update.

The main issue actually is that the Ovi Maps team seems to be working separately from the other firmware teams, as near as I can make out. When you have two differently written programs written by different teams, things may not run out smoothly (I have no idea why they're doing this). Futhermore, there is no real change between current Nokia phones and older ones.

As far as I can tell, Nokia is currently running on a skeleton crew and everybody else is working on S^3 and S^4....XD....Which is why for the first time in some years, a phone will last me for more than 2 years...XD...

[kiltbear]

@chanchan85

First of all don't get me wrong, I mean no personal offense to you.

For those of us who did not have the luxury of knowing the exact roadmap of Nokia's handsets, it did look like a viable update, until we got our hands on it, that is.

I also have a 5800XM which is my private phone and works much better than the N97 that is provided by my employer, since we moved a way from Palm. We had to cover all platforms in use, so some of us here in the data center have Blackberries, some have fruit phones, some Win Mobile devices, some droids and some unlucky b*st*rds are currently stuck with Nokia until the next update rolls around which won't be until late 2011.

We're a local government and for vost reasons have to use our devices for two years until we are eligible to replace them.

As for seperate teams developing core smart phone apps with no apparent liaison between them, that is mind boggling to me.

Anyway, thanks for sharing what you know, that is much appreciated and sorry for venting.

[chanchan05]

@kiltbear - no offense taken really. However I would suggest that you read into the news coverage of phone symposia (Nokia World, Apple Convention, etc) covered in GSMArena.com...They give fairly unbiased reports on phones.

Anyway, since as you said you need reliable phones, the best advice I could give you is to wait for 4 months at least after a phone is released, and then check here (if the phone in question is a Nokia), and see about how many people are complaining. Also please note if the complaints are simply people not knowing how to use the phone or actual problems.

This would be then your gauge on whether to buy a phone or not. The 5800 when released was a big bug, but 4 months later with the advent of v21 firmware update, it became the best s60v5 on the market in terms of stability.

[kirpeace]

nokia is not making compatible maps since 3.03 for e75 why? and why not make for non touch phones

[deadkenny]

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krizanand wrote:
Just saw a new version of Ovi maps(3.06) in the beta labs, go and grab it here. http://betalabs.nokia.com/apps/ovi-maps-306 Note: This beta version is not available for S60 3rd edition devices.

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And from the comments at http://blog.ovi.com/2010/09/14/say-hello-to-ovi-where-social-meets-life/ it will never appear on S60v3.

S60 is now dead, as is S60v5 / Symbian^1. Symbian^3 is the only platform Nokia are concentrating on, in their desperate quest to compete with Apple (fruitless in my opinion. They should concentrate on what they're good at, although really that should be S40!!). Anyway, if you bought a Symbian smartphone from Nokia in the last year, you're already left with an unsupported (in terms of apps and updates) redundant phone.

[loverdrive]

only this beta isn't available for S60 3rd devices, or also 3.0.6 final isn't for S60 3rd?

[loverdrive]

:/ i'm in this situation!!
So, there aren't future version for my 6720c? :/ **bleep** nokia... i'll look away..

[NasserAli0]

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