Nokia is exping its Here Beta mapping app beyond its original restriction to Samsung devices, now opening it to anyone with Android 4.1 or higher.
You can grab the app directly from Nokia sideload it onto your phone. Don’t know how to do that? have a hy, step-by-step guide.
Nokia did not indicate if the app will make its way to the ay Store after the beta version is all polished up, so you’ll have to sideload it on your own for now.
Most of the feature set will be familiar to Maps users, though it has one trump card: offline navigation. You can not only save a map offline (as you can with Maps) but get turn-by-turn voice guidance for your next jaunt through the wilderness or when traveling overseas.
Nokia Here Beta also includes transit information for 800 cities, location sharing via Glympse, syncing your map data through a desktop web app.
The story behind the story: ile Maps is still the king of digital mapping, Nokia’s Here is widely respected as a worthy contender. The offline maps navigation feature is also great for travelers who want to save on data by caching maps in advance.
But if Nokia is going to gain wider attention on Android it needs to get into the ay Store, as sideloading apps is generally the domain of enthusiasts tinkerers.