Nokia to release HERE maps for Android, iOS and other platforms with offline support

Nokia is bringing its Here Maps app to the Android, iOS and all other mobile platforms, according to reports. Currently the app is only available on Windows Phone 8 devices, but now with Handset business in Microsoft’s hands, Nokia is finally concentrating on expanding the reach of its Here maps. The launch on other platforms will mean a wider audience for Here maps as well as direct competition against Google Maps service.   According to a Wall Street Journal report Nokia executive Sean Fernback was confident that their service would do well against the existing ones. He told WSJ, “I’m convinced people are looking for alternatives. Google Maps is a good solution for many—their maps work very well—but it has looked the same and done the same for a long time.”   The report adds that the biggest plus that Nokia’s Here maps will have is the ability to function offline. Users will be able to download the maps and also look for directions without an Internet connection, which is a big plus from Google Maps, which require Internet connectivity if you’re searching live.   According to a ZDNET report, Samsung and Nokia have also announced a deal to bring the Here Maps to Samsung’s own OS Tizen (powered smartwatches) and to its Galaxy devices which run on Android.   The report says that “the (beta) Here app will be made available for Galaxy smartphones, and will sync with the Tizen version, allowing users to push maps from their handset to their wristworn hardware.”   On the Samsung Gear S,   HERE is powering an application called Navigator, which offers turn-by-turn walk navigation and public transit routing.