Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) has pulled out its HERE Map app from the Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) App store on the grounds that the iOS 7 upgrade is harming the user experience.
“We have made the decision to remove our HERE Maps app from the Apple App Store because recent changes to iOS 7 harm the user experience,” a spokesman from Nokia said.
Mobile version still available
iPhone users would be able to access the mobile version of the Map under m.here.com, which will offer services like location, routing, orientation, and transit information free of charge.
The app that was launched last year in November. A Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) spokesperson said that the company has decided to pull out the HERE Map App from Apple store due to weak user experience. He added that the iPhone users will be able to use the mobile version of app.
A buggy app
HERE Map from Nokia faced some bug issues before it was removed from iOS, according to IndianExpress. The experts tested the App on the three Apple devices, but it was unusable on all. HERE Map design on iOS was much similar to that of Nokia’s Symbian operating system whereas the Windows Phone version was much cleaner and contemporary.
HERE app suffered from the bug that affected it while zooming in and out on the iOS. Even when the bug did not freeze the app, it would zoom to the maximum or minimum by itself. A user would find it difficult to stop the app at medium zoom to look for various routes or directions.
How much HERE would contribute to Nokia
The Finish phone maker agreed to sell its devices segment to Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) after which it will be left with three main divisions, one of which is HERE map. Microsoft has acquired a 10 year license for HERE Maps, which are pre-installed on Nokia’s Windows phone range.
According to the analysts, HERE maps will contribute around 4 cents in earnings per share on the bullish side. The possibility of break-even is the most likely scenario, according to analysts. Also, analysts feel that if Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) (BIT:NOK1V) (HEL:NOK1V) would sell HERE as a strategic asset then the bids would be around €1 billion.
