[caption id="attachment_11859" align="alignright" width="168" caption="Ovi Maps: Satellite view"][/caption]

Nokia announced its new Ovi Maps service this morning, which now features completely free turn-by-turn navigation, a Lonely Planet guide, and is even available with your phone turned off. We were at the event, held at Centre Point, in the heart of London. Read on after the jump to see the pictures…

The Ovi Maps event was the biggest we’ve been to this year, with over one hundred journalists present. The presentation was made by the Executive Vice President of Nokia, Anssi Vanjoki, and highlighted just how many changes have been made to Ovi Maps.

After the presentation, we saw Ovi Maps in action on a Nokia N97 Mini, with the turn-by-turn navigation looking particularly impressive. With paths and shortcuts available, along with voice guidance, it looks ideal for both pedestrians and car drivers alike.

Nokia was also heavily promoting Ovi Maps outside of Centre Point, with huge arrows made up of balloons highlighting the fact you can go wherever you want, and rickshaws also on hand to whisk us back to the office. At least, they would have been if this particular reporter didn’t live so far away…

Have you downloaded the latest version of Ovi Maps yet? Will you be using it instead of your dedicated sat-nav – or just when you’re lost on foot? Let us know, and in the meantime keep an eye out here for our full impressions of the new Ovi Maps.