Nokia HERE apps provide integrated location services

Nokia like to refer to their collection of HERE location applications as ‘experiences’, the idea being that each experience works with the others for a complete location based service. The suite of HERE applications includes HERE Maps, HERE Drive, HERE Transit and HERE City Lens. If you don’t have any or all of the suite available on your Windows Phone 8 device, then the previous links will let you download each one from the Windows Phone Store for free.

HERE Maps

According to the developers, HERE Maps is built on over 25 years worth of globally recorded data and offers one of the best offline experiences on a mobile device. Whilst staying online is always the recommendation, it is inevitable at some point in a journey you are going to lose connection. With a locally stored copy of your maps, you can navigate to your destination from any starting point. As the infographic below after the break shows, HERE Maps are supported in 196 countries with live traffic updates for 32 countries – all being regularly updated. Like other mapping applications you may be familiar with, HERE Maps will provide you with the bets possible route to your destination with turn by turn navigation. If you choose to drive or take public transport, then the integration with next set of HERE apps comes into play.

Other HERE Maps features include:

• Explore floor to floor at airports, stations, stadiums and other venues in 45 countries
• Discover the top 25 places around you including pictures and reviews
• Save and access favorite places on any HERE app and on here.com
• Access real-time traffic information for selected areas
• Pin places, categories and destinations to the Start screen

HERE Drive+

The successor to the original Nokia Drive+ seen on WP7 devices, HERE Drive+ links seamlessly with HERE Maps to provide driver assistance throughout your journey. This means the inclusion of offline mapping and routing for 94 countries and the Start screen pin/ syncing features.

Turn by turn navigation  includes street names and is customisable with over 60 voice guidance options. HERE Drive+ lets you customise your route, for instance avoiding motorways or toll roads and providing local speed limit notifications and warnings.  2D and 3D landmarks are displayed as well for instant recognition along your journey.

HERE Transit

Whether you are in a strange place or just looking for local information, public transport is often the best way to get around a busy city. HERE Transit works in over 670 cities in 50 countries to provide and compare routes, departure and arrival times or just show the average walking distance for a given route. Just like HERE Drive+, HERE Transit can be launched from HERE Maps after deciding on a destination.

HERE Transit provides all the information for supported cities in one app so there is no need to download separate packages if you are travelling. Nokia provide a list of covered cities HERE.

HERE City Lens

Another update from the older Nokia City Lens, HERE City Lens is a stylish augmented reality app that changes the way you view what’s around you. Combining location information with the extensive HERE Maps database, simply hold your phone up to take a picture of the surrounding area and HERE City Lens will overlay information in real time including shops, bars, restaurants and other points of interest.

Tap on a location and HERE City Lens will for instance give you the option to call ahead and book a table, or just get more information such as opening hours, menus and reviews. Locations can also be saved and shared with friends. If street signs and local directions are unavailable, HERE City Lens provides a natural and intuitive interface to help you find your way.

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