People using Bing Maps on their handsets will now receive Nokia-powered traffic results along with directions while traveling. This update is the result of a long-term partnership between Microsoft and Nokia.
The countries getting this upgrade include Belgium, France, Indonesia, Canada, Austria, Brazil, Greece, India, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Finland, Mexico, Poland and Luxembourg. The list also includes Portugal, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa, UAE, the US and the UK. In the US, the application will provide traffic data for not just highways and main roads, but for side streets as well.
“Last year, Microsoft announced a strategic partnership with Nokia in Mapping. Our two companies have spent a lot of time working together, sharing information and investigating better ways provide relevant mapping information to help you find and get to where you’re going more quickly. Today, we’re excited to announce another important phase in that partnership with the launch of Nokia powered traffic results, which are rolling out today in 24 countries on Bing Maps,” states a post on the official Bing Community blog.
With this collaboration, the app is touted to carry improved address search relevance along with traffic information. Apart from these enhancements, the utility will be accessing the Finland-based company’s geocoding services in select countries for providing directions while on the move. This feature will not come to the fore at all times, but it is a vital step towards improving the mapping service.
The Bing Maps app can be downloaded via Marketplace.