Nokia claims 1.4 million Ovi Maps downloads

Nokia launched Ovi Maps as a free download on 21 January

Nokia's decision to release its Ovi Maps application as a free download has proved hugely popular, with the firm recording over a million downloads in the past week alone.

The application was launched for free on 21 January, and has been downloaded a total of 1.4 million times, averaging one every second, according to the mobile phone giant.

Anssi Vanjoki, executive vice president at Nokia, described the move as a " game changer" for the industry, claiming that demand had exceeded even its own expectations.

"The number of people now using their Nokia for navigation, and as a result looking for more location-aware software, is growing faster than even we predicted," he said.

Vanjoki explained that Nokia had used its investment in map maker Navteq to remove the costs associated with navigation, and to create a large user base to which it can offer new location features, content and services.

"This is great news for our third-party application developers as there is now an installed base of more than one million users all looking for new and innovative location-aware apps," he said.

The launch of Ovi Maps as a free application is part of Nokia's strategy to help maintain its position as the number-one handset manufacturer by offering products such as mobile maps, navigation and location-based services.

The news will make grim reading for dedicated sat-nav companies such as TomTom and Garmin, both of which saw a dip in share price after the announcement last month.

Furthermore, all new Nokia GPS-enabled smartphones will include the new version of Ovi Maps from next month, offering local country map data, high-end walk and drive navigation and access to Lonely Planet and Michelin travel guides.