ViewRanger have updated their Symbian mapping client to now support OpenStreetMap and OpenCycleMap (which includes topographic data).  Historically, ViewRanger has been the software to allow access to a range of different OS maps (and OS-equivalent maps across selected European countries), but now it has support for these two free sources of data.

Also, due to now not being tied to the purchase of OS maps, the software is available in the Ovi Store (priced at £4.50), which allows you access to these two free data sources, and still allows the user to purchase and download the OS style maps in a variety of ways (direct on the handset, via the ViewRanger website, and via your PC).

For Samsung Symbian users, the app should also be available in the Samsung App Store too, and for existing customers, there is a free upgrade available allowing access to these new maps without charge, and for those who feel they are missing out, ViewRanger plan to launch Android and iPhone versions during 2010.

For more information, see the ViewRanger website.

SatMap, the company behind the SatMap Active 10 GPS device (which was one of the first dedicated devices to offer OS mapping) have added two new features to their range.  The online route planner allows you to plan routes using a variety of different online maps (including OS 1:25k maps of the UK) and then download the route to your Active 10.  You can also view an elevation profile or print out the route on paper as a backup to the device failing (or running out of batteries).

The other facility they have launched is a route sharing website, where users can share routes.

Both these facilities are free to existing users as long as the device is purchased before 23rd March 2009 (you have a week left!) and you need to register the unit with SatMap before 1st April 2009.  Any purchases / registration after this time will be subject to an additional fee of £79.99 to use these services.

If you fancy having access to OS maps and elevation profiles direct on your Symbian phone, then look here.

Story courtesy of Pocket GPS World.

Although only supporting the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic today, ViewRanger have added support for Symbian S60 5th Edition devices, which will over time include the Nokia N97, the Samsung i8910 we featured last week, and, from what we understand, quite a few other phones which will be launched next week at MWC (Mobile Web Congress).

ViewRanger is a sophisticated but easy-to-use off-road satellite navigation application that offers instant access to detailed topographic mapping across Europe along with rich content including points-of-interest and leisure route guides. Maps can be downloaded directly to the handset via WLAN or mobile internet, downloaded via the web to be side-loaded onto a handset, or are available pre-loaded on SD memory-cards.

More information in the rest of the article…

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Although we’ve seen OS maps on other devices, such as the SatMap Active 10 before, and in software, such as the ViewRanger software for Symbian phones, Garmin are shortly to release UK OS Maps for their Garmin Colorado and Garmin Oregon GPS devices.

The OS Maps will come on a microSD card that you can slot straight into the units (although knowing Garmin you will not be able to transfer the maps to another memory card, as they use the “Secure” bit of the SD card standard to store the license to use the maps).  This should not be a major problem for these devices, as they have some internal memory for storing additional POIs, and they support multiple map files on the internal memory too.

What’s different about these Garmin maps though is that as well as featuring the full visual OS maps, all the data has been included to allow you to navigate via the maps too, and POI information is included as well.

At some point, Garmin will also sell the units and maps together, but in the meantime the OS Maps will be available from November priced at £129.99.

For those who want better mapping on their GPS units, but don’t want to pay at all, then Mapomatic offer the Garmin UK OSM maps (using the OpenStreetMap maps) free of charge!  OpenStreetMap is still a “Work in Progress”, so not every road or footpath is covered, but the data will still enhance your GPS if you only have a very rough basemap (or no map at all), and best of all, you can help improve the map by uploading your GPS traces, and adding the missing roads and footpaths yourself.

Story and picture courtesy of OUTDOORSmagic.com.