Nokia unveiled HERE Auto embedded in-dash navigation system and HERE Auto Companion app both of which are designed to offer a “complete location experience” that assists drivers when they plan their journey, while driving and when they approach their destination.
The planning phase can be conducted either online at here.com or from a smartphone. The “while driving” part includes voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation in 95 countries, traffic re-routing and fuel prices; and when your destination is near, you’ll get to see street level images, parking availability and indoor maps.
The best part is that HERE Auto works offline, allowing users to pre-cache maps before taking a trip. However, when there is Internet connection, you’ll be able to access additional services and seamlessly get up-to-date maps and information.
Finally — and this is arguably the biggest news — the HERE Companion app won’t be stuck to Lumia range of smartphones. Nokia will launch the application for Windows Phone *and* Android devices.
HERE Auto is already integrated in Continental’s next generation Open Infotainment Platform, and the Finnish company is pitching a number of auto makers as we speak. Hopefully, it will come pre-installed in a number of vehicles shortly…