Nokia is bringing free satellite navigation service to the Nokia 6700 classic smart phone. The handset, despite being over a year old, is one of the most reliable candy bar handsets with 3G support.
The free voice guided satellite navigation service from Nokia started early this year when the Finnish phone maker announced that they would be turning the paid Ovi Maps service into something that is free for all. However, it was also stated that devices must be GPS capable Symbian S60 smart phones in order to get the special free sat nav deal. While the number of supported devices was limited, overall, Nokia still had enough S60 smart phones to make many people happy.
This however, did not extend to other devices –such as the 6700 Classic which is actually quite fitting for the purpose. Packed with a 2.2 inch TFT display, 240 x 320 pixels of resolution and a screen equipped with an accelerometer, the handset had all the facilities to be a reliable GPS device. This is why it is not surprising to know that Nokia has made a worldwide update for the 6700 that would allow it to make use of the new sat nav feature.
Sat nav technology and voice guided operations have become key functions for many people when they are on the road or on foot. The ability of GPS to provide users with directions in almost any major city allows people to travel and explore more –this has then helped many stores increase revenue as GPS devices led people to hidden shops and pubs that is often found only by points of interest query.
It seems the trend is towards these services being free. Google have made their Google Maps and Google Street view services available to all users free of charge, leaving many iPhone users wondering whether Apple will eventually follow suit, as they are currently required to pay for their navigation services.
Tags: 3G, Nokia, Nokia-6700-Classic, Ovi-Maps, Symbian