The Hindu Business Line : Lead the way

Maps have always scared me. While in school I had no clue why on earth I should mark unheard of places in maps. And no two map sheets or workbooks were alike. Making things worse, maps in the textbooks looked different from the ones in map sheets and workbooks.

It was a relatively ‘map-less' world for me after I passed out of school. There were no maps in college.

Maps came back into my life when one fine day my Editor asked our team to use maps in news stories to help the reader know the location (of gas fields, etc). Fortunately, a great thing called Internet was on my side. Google also made the tasks easier with Google Maps.

I really started liking maps when I tried out voice navigation from a Nokia phone that had come for review. The problem with Nokia Navigation was that though the map was free, you had to shell out Rs 3,000 per year for the navigation service.

Next came iPhone that took mobiles to the next level, and along with it maps. It was a pleasure to use maps with GPS in iPhones, though there was no voice navigation.

Again it was left to Google to lead the way. It launched free (yes, free!) turn-by-turn voice navigation through GPS in Android phones. And those who saw it were totally floored by its capabilities.

So what will other companies such as Nokia do? Who will now be ready to pay 3K every year? Now came the surprise announcement from Nokia: Voice navigation free forever on Ovi Maps.

I immediately powered on the Ovi Map in my mobile, and unfortunately, it kept directing me to the payment screen. I then deleted it and downloaded the latest Ovi Maps version. Yes. It was there. The new version happily guided me around the city with a friendly voice. The only problem was, it occasionally tried to coax me into one-ways and straight into the hands of waiting cops.

But it understood something was wrong and ‘recalculated' the route after I refused to heed its instructions. Anyway, it was far better than seeking the help of passers-by where you spend half the time explaining the destination and the remaining half deciphering what they say. You also have to remember (if you understand) what they say!

I was doubtful about the efficacy of guided navigation in a country like India. But it works great.

And now, with a GPS satellite constantly looking over my shoulder, I am no longer afraid of maps.

R. Dinakaran

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