When talking about emerging media, mapping technology is something we take for grated. Even Apple’s iOS6 Maps debacle, shows people expect to have a accurate mapping application and it is expected to work and look how the world we see looks. No one really considers all the effort that goes into creating a digital copy of our world. The Atlantic describes how Nokia may have the best maps available.
Playing around on the internet is a past time of mine and I cam across Nokia Maps. While Nokia has some of the best maps around – thanks to its purchase of NAVTEQ in 2007 – Nokia’s 3D mapping is on a whole other level.
Take this route from Chicago’s Willis Tower to the World Trade Center in NYC. As you map it, click the little helicopter.
Then sit back and enjoy the ride, complete with stunning 3D imagery.
Here are a few screengrabs from the ride:
Let me know what you think of Nokia’s 3D Mapping in the comments.
United State of Eric 
Eric,
This is a very impressive program. Nokia’s 3D capability brings a new aspect to the locations services platforms. I wonder if we will soon be able to type in a business address then be transported inside the actual business where we could virtually browse and shop through 360 degree environments and even be exposed to marketing and ads present in the actual store?
Thanks for sharing!
I just installed the Nokia Maps plug-in on Google Chrome to check it out. It’s like a video game as it’s loading. As you mentioned in your post, smartphone users today (especially iPhone users) have really been spoiled with the dependability of Google Maps, so when Apple abruptly changed that out to an unproven in-house mapping application, the critics were bound to find faults. It’s just unfortunate for Apple that they made it so easy, and with such atrocity.
And as amazing as digital mapping technology is on today’s best smartphones, it’s really in its infancy. It’s barely a blip in the radar of the internet culture.
I will agree though that at this point, it’s progressed so fast that we all expect it to just work and work flawlessly. One thing Apple has shown us is that they’re not afraid to tackle the Google behemoth, however they also taught us to have your act together first!