Nokia Stops Developing Here Maps for Microsoft's Windows Phone: Report

Nokia will not be updating the Here Maps suite for Windows Phone from now on, as per a recent report citing a company executive. The firm would however be taking care of its Here Maps on Android devices that is currently in beta, and as previously announced, is working to release a new iOS version in early 2015.

"Now we are developing applications on the basis of a realistic market," said Udo Szabo, head of the Here mobile development unit at Nokia to itviikko website (via Phonearena). Szabo added that Microsoft will be handling Here Maps for Windows Phone completely.

The decision comes as a follow-up to Microsoft-Nokia deal, which was completed in April this year, and saw Nokia retain its telecommunications and services businesses, while selling its handset business. As part of the deal, Nokia will not use its brand name on any of its mobile phone products until December 31, 2015.

Notably, Nokia last week made its Nokia's Here maps in beta mode available to download from Google Play for all Android devices running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean and above.

The Finnish company back in October had released the Here (Beta) for Android; though it could only be side-loaded on compatible Android phones.

Some of the new features in the Here maps (Beta) are voice-guided navigation for 18 new countries and territories. With the addition of 18 new countries, Here maps now offers navigation in 118 countries.

Here Maps for Android brings features such as offline navigation with interactive maps and turn-by-turn voice guidance; offline maps for nearly 100 countries; public transport maps and directions for over 800 cities in over 40 countries with offline support; live traffic information for more than 40 countries; journey planning on beta.here.com; map personalisation with Collections of favourite places, and the Glympse location sharing feature.