Nokia’s map application has gotten some positive reviews, and even a recommendation from Apple CEO Tim Cook, but most consumers habitually turn to Google Maps to find their way. Now, the troubled Finnish phone maker is teaming up with Oracle to help its maps find their way onto more enterprise networks.
Nokia says its location platform can be integrated with Oracle’s business map applications, allowing Oracle’s corporate clients to link directly to Nokia’s app from their proprietary networks. Companies will have to license the map application from Nokia before they can integrate it, according to PC World.
Enterprise interest in Nokia’s mobile devices could increase this fall with the release of products running Microsoft’s Windows 8 operating system. Since many companies already use Windows software, Windows mobile devices could be an easier fit for corporate IT departments than those running Android or iOS. The alliance with Oracle gives Nokia one more inroad into the corporate market.
For consumers, Internet searches and turn-by-turn driving directions are likely to remain the biggest drivers of map usage. Google has the clear advantage in the former category. Nokia has made some headway in the turn-by-turn directions category, striking deals to provide map technology to BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen, as well as Garmin. Nokia’s Navteq technology is also used by Groupon, Yahoo and Amazon.
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Full disclosure: The author owns shares of Nokia
