Here Maps for Android calculates offline public transit routes faster.

Here Maps is my favorite offline map and really useful when I'm travelling. Thanks to it being cross-platform, I do not have to worry about running out of juice on my devices, nor having to spend a lot of money on data fees. The offline map previously owned by Nokia got better today with the app able to calculate offline public transit faster in big cities, "and with updated transit info for 69 regions worldwide...". The need to sign in has also been removed. Previously signing in was required to download offline maps. 

Grab the update in Google Play store for free.

Nokia Here Maps wants to help you find your way back home with a tap.

There is no place like home and Nokia wants you to get there safe should you forget your way back with a little house icon that they added to their offline navigation app, Here Maps. This little house icon will let users save their home address with just a simple tap and another tap to see how to get back. Of course it doesn't necessarily have to be home, it can be any place like a hotel for example. This little house icon is a very useful addition to quickly find your way back to your point of origin.

Download Here Maps: Offline Navigation free on Google Play.

Nokia Here Maps now compatible with Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch.

I am currently on a business trip in Washington D.C., a city I've never visited before. Thanks to Here Maps, it is very easy for me to move around that fascinating city without eating all my phone's data. I bought a prepaid data plan from AT&T and thanks to Here Maps offline maps feature, I found my way around without asking anyone and saving on my plan.

Today, Nokia has updated Here Maps and made it compatible with Samsung's latest smartwatch, the Samsung Gear S2. The change log does not say how's that supposed to work. Guess we'll have to wait to learn more. In the meantime, download the update in Google PlayStore.

Nokia Here Maps adds public transportation info for Switzerland, Ottawa, Brest, Charleston and Sioux Falls.

According to the developer information in Google Play Store, Nokia still owns Here maps and they updated it today, letting users see public transport information for Switzerland, Ottawa, Brest (France), Charleston and Sioux Falls in the U.S. Here Maps is very useful for travelers and locals and one of its selling points is the offline map. A feature that even Google Maps does not offer.

Besides the new public transportation, Nokia also added the following features:

• Long tap anywhere on the map to start drive guidance, get directions or share a location.
• See all stops along your route when taking public transport.

Head over to Google Play Store to download/update Here Maps.

Full offline Mauritius map now available in Nokia Here Maps for Android.

Google Maps is a great navigation tool on Android and so far competition has either been lame or inexistent. But that has changed with Nokia making its popular Here Maps available for Samsung devices first, and for other Android devices recently. Don't go look in the Play store, you won't find it there. Here Maps for Android is still in beta and can be downloaded on Nokia's official Here site.

Since you will be downloading a file outside the Play store, make sure "Unknown sources" is enabled in your phone settings. If it is not activated, your phone will offer to take you there after you tap the download link. Once the download is complete, go ahead and install the app.

Tap the Hamburger inside the app (that's the three horizontal lines stacked upon each other) and tap "Download maps". In order to download, you must sign in with a Facebook or Here account; A sign up link is also available. After you authenticate, the app will get a list of maps. Tap "Download new". Select Africa > Mauritius. The file is 126.4MB in size, double the size of the Windows Phone version.

I will compare how Here Maps work on Android and Windows Phone in another post.

Enjoy offline maps of Mauritius.