Nokia Opens Ovi Maps API

[where 2.0] Nokia is entering the Maps mashup territory currently dominated by Google by releasing its Ovi Maps API. It’s a move that makes sense when you think that Nokia spent $8B in the Navteq acquisition, it is time to capitalize on it and even if Navteq remains an independant business, there’s much room to expand the reach of these maps.

The Ovi Maps API is a first step. Nokia plans to integrate directions and social networks. Nokia claims that its API is easier to use, but we haven’t seen the SDK, so we can’t vouch for that. We think that Ovi Maps is currently inferior to Google Maps, but most problems revolve around the data delivery (it’s slow). Nokia can turn things around, and there’s nothing like a good project to move forward.