Google Maps have been updated to Version 3.0 and now offers support for most Symbian 60 devices, making it something you can use with the Nokia 5800 and the as yet unreleased Nokia N97. The main reason for the update is that it introduces Google Latitude, which allows you to share your location with other users.
This is the top story to affect our Nokia community in the last 24 hours. Other headline grabbing stories include an interesting piece on Nokia’s own Social Mapping services, as well as a look at another new app for the Nokia 5800.
Nokia 5800 – Google Maps update
The guys over on The Symbian Blog have likened the service to Nokia’s own Friend View, allowing you to keep in touch with friends, colleagues, pass on messages and photos and generally let them know what’s going on. Friend View remains a better option for Nokia users, as it supports more devices.
Other staple features of the Google Maps that are included are the ability to make calls, SMS, IM and even email each other. Check out what they say about Google Maps.
Update: We've just installed Google Maps 3.0 on our Nok and found the only options you can get are 'get directions' and 'search nearby' - not the IM, calling, SMS or email, making it more a location pin-pointer with directions at this stage. Overall, Friend View remains a better option, in our opinion.
Nokia Social Mapping services
Social Mapping is very much in forefront of our minds today, as over at Information Week there is an interesting blog piece laying out the status of Nokia’s own involvement with the Social Mapping scene. As we know, Nokia is heavily pushing this side of its services, recently buying bit-side GmbH, and making it an integral part of all future handsets.
The piece suggests that manufacturers have a vested interest as it helps them sell handsets, so they'll want to keep the services to themselves. However, we’re of the opinion that Nokia is BEST placed to deliver, as they can maintain and support the services from within. After all, the other option would be to allow rather some third-party to cater to your needs, which will add to the cost. Check out their argument about Nokia Social Mapping.
Black and White app launched
Got a few guilty secrets hidden away on your Nok? MobileWhack has an article about the launch of an application called Black and White and as they put it, ‘act[s] as a saviour of sorts as far as avoiding certain callers and deleting intimate SMS some mobile phone owners want to avoid.’
Essentially, Black & White works by creating a white list of contacts that may be ‘sensitive’ for whatever reason and hides theses away in an encrypted vault. You can also create a black list, so any contacts on there will be deleted. It’s an interesting concept and has far more innocent applications than suggested.