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  • Google Maps vs Nokia Ovi Maps in Lebanon

So one day when the electricity was out, my brother and I had a heated discussion about which is better to use: Google maps (mobile application) or Nokia Ovi Maps.

His defense was that while Google maps needs some form of internet connection (either wireless at home or the internet services provided by the carrier mtc otherwise), Ovi maps requires GPS connection. Furthermore, the Ovi maps can show you the location of any place in Lebanon even if it is not well known (let's say a private highschool or local company) unlike Google maps.

My defense was that to use Ovi maps, you need to first download the maps from the Ovi store, for all the countries mind you cause the maps of each country is seperate from the other, and you have to continously update them if you want them to be very accurate. In addition, to use Ovi maps you have to be outdoors since the GPS signal is either weak indoors or the connection cannot be made in the first place. Finally, Ovi maps can only be used with Nokia phones.

On the other hand, Google maps needs only to be downloaded once as a simple phone application (couple of KB not much), the map search is accurate enough that I was able to navigate myself in Leipzig, Germany and find at least 8 different local companies/businesses in Lebanon (besides there are alot of places that can be pinpointed on the map even if it does't show as a place like for example ministry of finance), the search is easier than Ovi maps cause the spelling (which is quite important especially when you want to find a place in Lebanon cause spelling an arabic naming in english, especially first-time visited areas, is harder than you think it is) is aided by suggestions from Google maps, and the search can be conducted practically anywhere with mtc signal coverage. Besides, I already browse the web on the phone, so the mtc carrier internet services are needed anyhow (though I'm annoyed that it's only limited to 25 MB).

So, what do you guys and gals think?
I own an E71 and I use Ovi Maps with their Free Navigation service.

I like it more than Google Maps (which I also have installed) because I don't have an internet connection 24/7.

Ovi Maps is also very user friendly and provides a lot of Navigation info that Google Maps does not provide.
Are Ovi Maps free to download?
yeah, Ovi maps are free to download
Currently, I have the latest version of Ovi Maps installed on my Nokia N97. It's pretty good for browsing offline maps (of course, after you've downloaded the maps - this can be done simply by browsing through all of the Lebanese territory while you're connected to your LAN, and that's what I did actually). Unfortunately, since we do not have 3G services in Lebanon, it's extremely hard to catch the GPS signal. It takes up to 30 minutes to get a fair GPS signal in order to locate your current position on Ovi Maps - sometimes you do not get a signal at all (which happens most of the time actually). I was able to locate several "small" places on Ovi Maps that I never thought could be located on an international application like the one at hand, cuz after all, Lebanon is a small place anyway. So yeah, that's one of Ovi Maps' strong points.

Now about Google Maps I do not really know much about it other than the fact that you need an internet connection in order to use it. And that's why I never installed it on my cell phone. I'd like to know whether it can be used to locate your current position... If that's possible, I might give it a shot.
My Cousin has a Nokia E5 and it has Ovi maps pre-installed and amazingly, despite Lebanon's lack of 3G services, it catches the Signal within 1 to 2.5Mins MAX, and it's really user-friendly, i was amazed by the Pedestrian Routes it has.+ the free Navigation and no need for an internet connection really makes the Ovi a better choice for us in Leb.
The Ovi maps sound attractive because of the presence of updated POI (points of interests) and that Nokia seems to be pretty active in the region. Furthermore, no internet connection is required which saves you precious quota.

Frankly, the fact that its Nokia-only is a big deal breaker for me. Anyone who uses an android-powered phone or an iPhone (for at least a few weeks) will unlikely ever touch a Nokia phone again.
I'd like to know whether it can be used to locate your current position... If that's possible, I might give it a shot.
An iPhone will start by using the nearest cell tower (not accurate) or Wifi AP to detect your location, once your location is triangulated by the GPS satellites, it will give you a more accurate position (to one or two meters)
samer wroteAn iPhone will start by using the nearest cell tower (not accurate) or Wifi AP to detect your location, once your location is triangulated by the GPS satellites, it will give you a more accurate position (to one or two meters)
Well that's what an iPhone would do, which is better than waiting 30 min until you receive a GPS signal. But what about Google Maps on my Nokia N97, does it work the same?
You lazy people, learn to ask for directions.

P.S.: Useless reply, is useless.
Currently I am using Ovi maps on my N97 mini and I like it very much and I got a detailed offline map for all of Lebanon. Also finally, today the GPS worked for me as I was in uni it spotted my exact location. It is being very useful for me as I am on the go and trying to get street and places directions in Beirut xD
Kassem wroteWell that's what an iPhone would do, which is better than waiting 30 min until you receive a GPS signal. But what about Google Maps on my Nokia N97, does it work the same?
No, not really, locating a current position is a big advantage of Ovi maps over Google maps. You can, however, enter the name of the street your on. It can also give you directions on how to go from a starting point of your location to a destination of your choice (with of course timing that is never actually accurate because of the continous unsuspected traffic).
samer wroteAn iPhone will start by using the nearest cell tower (not accurate) or Wifi AP to detect your location, once your location is triangulated by the GPS satellites, it will give you a more accurate position (to one or two meters)
the a-GPS feature is also available on the nokias