Location-based services such as navigation and geotagging are an increasingly popular attribute of smartphones and an increasingly important factor when choosing a new phone. The versatile Nokia E7 has some of the most impressive in-box location services available today thanks to its GPS receiver and Ovi Maps software. In this article, I’ll take a look at some of the features Ovi Maps has to offer.
voice guided navigation
One app that is often very expensive when purchased as a stand-alone app from competing app stores is voice-guided navigation. This is actually included for free as part of the Ovi Maps package that comes standard with the Nokia E7. Operating this is simple. All you have to do is open the app and enter your travel destination. Using the phone’s built-in GPS receiver, the software calculates a route from your current location. You will then receive step-by-step voice-guided instructions (this feature can also be turned off if you wish) as the Nokia E7 tracks your current location and progress. This is especially useful for replacing a stand-alone SatNav unit in your car or finding directions on foot. Another nice feature of Ovi Maps is that it allows you to search for local points of interest (services, cafes, supermarkets, gas stations, etc.) and will display a list of those closest to your current location. You can then get directions to these, making it a great app if you travel a lot or find yourself in a new city or place with little knowledge of the local geography.
Integration of Social Networks
One of the latest trends in the world of social networking is the ability to “check in” to your current location using services like Facebook. This allows you to broadcast where you are so that your friends and family know your location. This feature is available on the Nokia E7, again thanks to its GPS capabilities. Of course, the Nokia E7 includes many other social networking features that allow you to perform a variety of tasks thanks to dedicated applications for sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Of course, there’s a lot more to the Nokia E7 than its location-based services and Ovi Maps. But the fact that it includes free voice-guided navigation makes the Nokia E7 worth a closer look, especially for those who are always on the go.
Additional features that make the Nokia E7 stand out include its large 4-inch screen, slide-out Qwerty keyboard, 8-megapixel digital camera, and Symbian OS, making it a versatile all-rounder that appeals to many different types of users.
