Finnish cellphone maker Nokia has released a revamped version of its mapping application on its Lumia smartphones, promoting Groupon deals in a bid to attract US mobile owners.
Nokia and Groupon have signed a partnership agreement, pursuat to which Nokia maps now show Groupon Now! offers with a green "G" icon.
Nokia’s Windows phone users will now be able to buy offers from their phones and get directions to the locations to redeem the offers using the mobile maker’s navigation system.
New revamped mapping software for Nokia Lumia smartphones
Nokia smartphone users will now be able to plan their trip in advance using the revamped mapping application.
Denying any other similar deals, Nokia’s executive vice president of location and commerce Michael Halbherr told Reuters that in the future Nokia could look for different ways of monetizing its maps, such as giving phone owners easier ways to make reservations or bookings.
"The primary intent right now is to make Windows Phone a competitive ecosystem versus either Android or iOS," said Halbherr.
Users of Nokia Lumia 610, Lumia 710, Lumia 800 and Lumia 900 can download the mapping application from the Windows Marketplace or will receive an alert when update is ready.
Nokia CEO Stephen Elop was quoted by the news agency as saying that location-based services, such as directions on smartphones, are critical to the company’s overall strategy even if it means that competitors get to include the services on their phones.
"It is to our benefit to ensure that many different companies use this, and there will be companies taking advantage of the platform who may compete with other elements of Nokia," Elop added.
