Nokia is looking to compete with Google and Apple in the map app market by providing free map apps for iOS and Android devices.
The move was discussed in an interview with Nokia executive Sean Fernback, who said the Finnish tech giant will release the apps before the end of the year, according to the Wall Street Journal. Nokia said the apps are designed to function without having to be connected to the Internet.
Fernback said the new map apps will feature options not found in competing apps, such as downloading maps for offline purposes and performing searches without an Internet connection. The maps won't need Internet access because the navigation will be provided by satellites.
While businesses make up most of Nokia's customers, the new apps are being targeted to individual consumers CNET reported.
The company already offers mapping capabilities with Here Maps, which consumers can get on Windows 8.1 and Windows Phone. The top spots in the map app market for iOS and Android currently belong to Google and Apple, and Nokia plans to become the top player by providing apps with unique features.
Nokia hasn't built up any advertising for the apps for Android and iOS and doesn't plan on doing so, as it doesn't intend to make any revenue with them, the Wall Street Journal reported.
Fernback said offering maps to regular users for free will lead to the company receiving more feedback about the service.
While Nokia will need approval from Google and Apple to offer the map apps in their respective app stores, Nokia doesn't plan on running into any problems with getting approval, CNET reported.
"I'm convinced people are looking for alternatives," Fernback said. "Google Maps is a good solution for many, their maps work very well, but it has looked the same and done the same for a long time."
