Samsung will be partnering with Nokia to bring a Google Maps alternative, Nokia Here, to its Galaxy smartphones.
The announcement Friday by Nokia states the two have signed a licensing deal wthat will bring the navigation software to Samsung Android smartphones and Tizen-based smart watches.
Nokia Here will make it to Samsung's Tizen-based wearable devices, including the newly announced Gear S. On these devices Here will power an app simply called Navigation. Within this app, users will be able to store map data offline.
Here will also be available as an app on Samsung Galaxy Android devices, although at the start it will only be available in beta.
Users will be able to download the Android version from the Samsung Galaxy App Store when the Gear S starts being sold in stores.
While Samsung is well-known as being one of the largest and most successful manufacturers of Android-based smartphones, it is also known that Samsung has always wanted to keep its options open. Samsung's Tizen operating system has largely fizzled out except on wearables, but that doesn't mean Samsung doesn't want to explore Google alternatives.
One of the largest advantages to Here is the fact that users can download entire countries for offline mapping, rather than just small areas, which is what Google Maps can do. A total of 99 countries are currently available for offline mapping.
While Here was once available for iOS users, the app was pulled from the app store with Nokia claiming that iOS7 "harmed the user experience." At the time Nokia said that it would bring the app to Android, but it is unclear if this is what they were talking about or if they intend to bring it to Android devices on a wider scale.
It is largely expected that most users will stick with Google Maps, unless Samsung makes Here the default mapping app on its devices.
Here will be available in 200 countries, with turn-by-turn navigation available in around 100 of those. Public transport directions will be available in around 750 cities and live traffic information will be available in around 40 countries.
Samsung has also announced a partnership with Nike to bring Nike+ to the new Gear S. This will be a preloaded app on the device, and will enable users to map their runs and track their progress without even having to take their smartphone out.
