Nokia unveils Here Drive+, Here Transit for other Windows Phone devices

Nokia's location services business, Here, has announced the upcoming global release of Here Drive+ and Here Transit for all Windows Phone 8 smartphones. Until now, the apps were only available on select Nokia Lumia devices.

Here Drive+ offers voice-guided turn-by-turn navigation with true offline maps that work even without a data connection. The updated Here Drive+ app adds My Commute, a feature designed to improve the user's everyday commute. My Commute learns daily driving habits and provides predictable and personalised commute recommendations based on current traffic conditions. Here Drive now also comes with the option to upgrade the navigation license from local to global coverage from within the app.

"With the global release of Here Drive+ for all Windows Phone 8 devices we will further extend our Here business and deliver on our promise of making Here experiences available for as many people as possible. The more people are using our location offering the better it will get for everyone," said Thom Brenner, vice president, Windows Phone applications, Here. "At the same time this release also demonstrates our commitment to further strengthen the Windows Phone ecosystem with our maps assets."

The Here Drive+ for other Non-Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones will be available globally in the Windows Phone Store at a price of EUR 34.99. The Here Drive+ app with global navigation license for Nokia Lumia phones will be available globally free of charge in the Windows Phone Store for the Nokia Lumia 928, Lumia 925, Lumia 920, Lumia 820, Lumia 810 and Lumia 620.

Nokia is also making Here Transit, the app designed to help those who use public transport for commuting, available for non-Nokia Windows Phone devices. The app features an updated interface and and a new panorama view.

The new Here Transit app for Nokia Lumia phones is available globally at no charge in the Windows Phone Store for all Nokia Lumia Windows Phone 8 smartphones. However, Here Transit for other Windows Phone 8 smartphones will be available in the Windows Phone Store, free of charge in Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, UK, and US, and at a price point of EUR 1.99 in the Windows Phone Store in Australia, China, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Russia and UAE.

According to Here, the new releases of Here Drive+ and Here Transit, will both be available for download from the Windows Phone Store within the coming days.