The new version of Nokia Maps uses ovi.com service to provide online route planning with a computer. The planned routes can be then synchronized into the phone. Users can also share their location information and all the related content with their friends later on.

The new Maps has high resolutions aerial images and 3D landmark of 216 cities. Pedestrian navigation has been improved and it uses beeps and vibrations to indicate when to make a turn. Straight-line guidance allows to walk the shortest distance between two points. The new NAVTEQ maps are improved and coverage is better.

The new Maps 3.0 is available from Nokia Beta Labs site. The online service is available from Maps on Ovi. They are both still in Beta phase and this means limited support e.g for browser compatibility. I tried to access the Maps on Ovi with Mac and Firefox 3.04 and Safari 3.1.2 browsers, but it did not work. The only supported combinations are Windows + Internet Explorer 6 and 7 or Firefox 2 and 3. PC Suite is needed to update the old version of Maps on your phone, so this requires also Window PC. Nokia.