Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) has upped itself to another level in navigation by revealing a HERE Auto connected car platform, which includes an application that can be fitted to a vehicle’s navigation system, a mobile app companion, and a cloud service, says a press release from the company.
A user can get voice-guided navigation even without a data connection, along with 2D, 3D and street level satellite maps if the car is equipped with a navigator with HERE Auto Software.
New app to make life easier for drivers
The new App from the Finnish phone maker assists a cloud service to plan a trip or find the car through the phone. At present, the service is available only on Windows phone devices, but will be available on Android and iOS soon.
This new app from Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) allows the user to access a series of products and services that Nokia has built on a new, fresh map. Users can personalize the offering, which allows the automakers to differentiate the driving experience. In addition, the everyday challenges faced by the driver, such as digging around for maps and other personal information across their car, finding devices, and searching for the right parking spot or closest gas station, will be solved through this new system.
Accessing the Cloud service with real time data of traffic and weather updates will require an internet connection. However, no internet connection is needed for previously downloaded maps.
VP of Automotive at Gartner, Thilo Koslowski said, “By 2016, the majority of consumers in mature markets will consider in-vehicle web-based data access a key criterion in their automotive purchase.”
Nokia on a look out for partners
Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) entered into a partnership with Continental (the same parts supplier working with Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and IBM) to look out for car companies who wish to fit HERE Auto into their navigation system. Nokia will showcase its new system at the International Motor Show in Germany on September 10th, and is expected to launch the app soon after that.
Automobile companies will be able to offer the HERE Auto experience through a software development kit (SDK), to create entertainment and other applications in areas like music and social networking. The new software is already fitted into Continental’s next generation Open Infotainment Platform. HERE has collaborated with partners like Magneti Marelli and others to launch HERE Auto to the market.
Additionally, Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) has enhanced its HERE Traffic by introducing HALO, a new engine that processes the data quickly and accurately.
