Nokia announced Friday it is teaming up with Samsung to make the Here app's mapping and location services available on smart devices powered by Samsung's Tizen platform.
Among the devices is the South Korean tech giant's Gear S smartwatch, on which the Here Navigator app will provide public transit directions and turn-by-turn walking navigation, according to NDTV Gadgets.
The smartwatch was launched one day before the announcement of the partnership. Navigator will also be able to store map data on the device for the wearer to use for offline navigation.
The app can also provide maps and directions for more than 750 cities in more than 40 countries, PC Magazine reported. Nokia said pairing Here with compatible phones like the Samsung Galaxy S5 will provide the best experience for users.
A beta version of Here for Android was also announced Friday and will be made available for free and exclusively for Samsung Galaxy smartphones.
"We believe that maps and location-related functionality are essential for any operating system," said Sean Fernback, senior vice president of Here's Everyday Mobility.
Nokia said consumers will be able to download the beta version of the app from the Samsung Galaxy Apps store when the Samsung Gear S is made available in stores in the beginning of October, NDTV Gadgets reported.
The Here division of Nokia said people will also be able to use the app with Samsung's Car Mode feature on select Samsung devices and with the company's Glympse app.
Chan Woo Park, vice president of the product strategy team at Samsung's mobile division, said the company wants to work with partners that will help Samsung add to its smart wearable devices, PC Magazine reported.
"We are thrilled to partner with HERE and bring innovative, personalized mapping pedestrian navigation services to our Tizen-powered smart wearable devices starting with the Samsung Gear S," Park said.
