Nokia 330 GPS Auto Navigation Unit

Nokia enters European can navigation device market with Nokia 330 GPS.

The world's largest phone makers Nokia have decided to make their way into enter the booming European car-navigation market. For long the rumors were flying right left and center about the Nokia 330 dedicated navigation device, but now the company has come out clean and made an official announcement to release its 330 Auto Navigation device with preinstalled Europe-wide map data from Netherlands-based navigation firm Route 66. The Nokia 330 is capable of playing music and displaying photos and videos. This particular feature is also available on competitors GPS units. But it does not function as a phone. Reports suggest that it to be available in the fourth quarter, retailing for $456 (360 euros), excluding taxes.


The Nokia 330 looks pretty similar to many of the GPS devices on the market. But it lacks some features that other GPS units offer. Take the example of Navman GPS units, which comes with an inbuilt camera to take photos of your destination. This is done so that you can easily navigate back to the destination by image alone. Another feature which lacks and which comes a surprise is the non-availability of built-in Bluetooth. The built-in Bluetooth can be used as a speakerphone with your Bluetooth phone when driving around. It has an astounding memory of 2GB, pre-loaded with Europe-wide maps. The unit has 2D and 3D maps built-in. A brilliant day and night mode, which enables users to navigate easily at any time of the day. It also offers turn-by-turn navigation across countries coupled with clear spoken and on-screen directions as you’d expect from any competent GPS device today. A wide 3.5 inch touch screen LCD screen with a range of controls on the right hand side of the screen.

Nokia as face some stiff competition from some established players on market today. The likes of Navman, Garmin, TomTom, Mio and Road Angel have strong hold in the GPS units sold worldwide. Then there are also fringe players like Voxson, Uniden, Sony and LG. Not to mention other might be on their way too. Currently market leader Netherlands-based Tom Tom. Tom sells these GPS units for about $760 to $890, including taxes. For the time being Tom Tom do not have to worry much till 2007, but Nokia's entry in the navigation market does make them some handful problems to deal with. Nokia as plans to offer navigation on cell phones as well as standalone devices. To survive the stiff competition Nokia as to come out with something innovate and different. The prices are as good as everyone else. It has got its strategy in place and has clearly defined it as an opportunity. Not to forget the fact that Nokia sells tens of millions of mobile phones every year, more than Apple sells iPods. So there is a thin chance that they can not make into the GPS unit market and crack it.