Back in August earlier this year, Nokia had announced that the Here mapping app would be coming to Samsung Galaxy phones. Well, it appears that the wait is over, especially for Samsung users who can not wait to use the navigation app in their Galaxy handsets.
The Here maps app is officially available for download on the Galaxy app store beginning today. For the uninitiated, Here is a mapping app that Nokia created and kept -- even when software making giant Microsoft acquired the Finnish phone maker's mobile device segment. Previously, Here was only available for use on devices that run on Windows 8, Windows Phone, or Fire OS (the operating system used by Amazon for its Fire phones).
Now, the Here maps app will finally be made available for Android users, too. Android users who are familiar with the app will be delighted to know that the Android version also comes with the features found in the Windows Phone and Fire OS versions. These features include turn by turn navigation, 3D, flat and satellite maps, the ability to use maps even if offline, and of course, Collections, a feature that collects the user's favorite hangouts. Aside from the mapping features, Here's Android version also includes Here Drive and Here Transit, which allows users to plot their trips while riding public transport.
Another feature, Glympse, will also be included in the Here app. This feature lets users share their current locations to their family or friends for a limited period of time. Anytime the users want to disable the location sharing, they can just do so at will.
The Android version of the Here mapping app is expected to run on Samsung devices that run on Android 4.x and newer OS versions. This is certainly good news for users who currently own the Samsung Galaxy S3, the Samsung Galaxy S4, and the Samsung Galaxy S5. Future Galaxy models will have the mapping app preloaded into their operating systems.
When Nokia announced that Here will be coming to Galaxy devices, the company also hinted that the mapping app it developed will also be used in Tizen. Tizen is the operating system used by Samsung for its wearable devices. Thus, those who own, or are planning to purchase the Samsung Gear S will be able to enjoy the Here app's advantages as well.
What about Galaxy Note users? For now, Here is only made available for Galaxy smartphones, but in the foreseeable future, the app is widely expected to be brought to Samsung's tablets, too.
As for other Android phones not named Samsung, could the Here app be made available to them as well? That would be very likely, especially if it becomes a hit for Samsung users, which would only encourage other Android users to demand the app in their non-Samsung phones too. Even an iOS version in the near future is totally not out of the picture.
