Nokia releases updated HERE Drive and Transit apps for all Windows Phone 8 devices

Windows Phone users are going to love this. Nokia is bringing an update to its HERE Drive, HERE Drive+ and HERE Transit applications for all Windows Phone 8 devices. This includes phones made by all manufacturers and not just the Lumia range.

The maps and transit app suites are set to hit app stores by the end of this week. While most of the suite will be free for all Lumia Windows phones, certain services will be charged, depending on your location and device. Nokia Lumia 720, 521 and 520 users will have to shell out EUR 15.49 (Rs 1187 approx.) to use HERE Drive+ with Global Navigation on their devices. Other Windows Phone 8 Smartphone users in countries like US, Mexico, Canada, UK, France, Italy, Germany and Spain will have to part with the same amount.

Live Tile to tell you about traffic

The pinch is a little harder for non-Lumia Windows Phone 8 users residing elsewhere. Not only will they have to pay EUR 34.99 (Rs 2682 approx.) for HERE Drive+,  but they will also have to spend EUR 1.99 (Rs 152 approx.) to use HERE Transit, which is free for Lumia users.

Nokia will be updating HERE Drive and HERE Transit with some brand new features for the app store launch.You will be able to see traffic in your area and the route you’re choosing for your travel with the Drive application. With a more intuitive user interface, it will boast of a new feature called My Commute which will inform you of the best route to your destination and arrival time at a glance on the Live Tile. Any delays along your route and the app will suggest alternates and notify you of further delays.

Plan your route

HERE Transit has also received a significant redesign that will make the application easier to use. Nokia has said that it will keep taking feedback from users about it. The suite should be available for all Windows Phone 8 devices within a week’s time.