Nokia Drive, the GPS voice-guided navigation part of Nokia Maps, has been one feature that has distinguished the Lumia line from other Windows Phone devices. Nokia revealed that Nokia Drive will be coming to all Windows Phone 8 devices, including those from HTC and Samsung. Late last week Nokia released a new version of Nokia Drive for Lumia devices that enhances the daily commuting experience.

The updated version of Nokia Drive for Lumia smartphones takes commuting to the next level and gives you a valid reason to actually use the software on a daily basis. As stated by Nokia, "Nokia Drive with My Commute learns your driving preferences and uses information about the latest traffic conditions to help you choose between the different routes you usually take to get to the places you travel most. It even remembers when you usually leave, providing traffic updates along your route so you’ll know in advance whether there are delays or if you have time to stop by that new café on your way home." I love the ability to pin your commute to the Home screen as well.

Nokia is making Nokia Drive available to these other Windows Phone 8 partners, but it is not a requirement from Microsoft that they necessarily use this on their phones. Partners can use these location assets and build location-based apps upon the Nokia Drive base as well. Some statistics from Nokia regarding their location platform include:

Maps data is available for more than 190 countries in more than 50 languages and navigation in more than 110 countries.

Nokia collects information from Nokia Drive users and local authorities to provide traffic alerts in 26 countries, and also allow dynamic rerouting.

Nokia has venue maps in over 4,600 shopping malls, train stations, airport, sports venues, etc. in 35 countries.

Nokia supports multi-modal routing: by car, on foot (including footpaths, shortcuts, etc. in over 400 cities) and by public transportation (over 100 cities).

Nokia is intent on making their location platform the ultimate "Where" experience and providing it on all Windows Phone 8 devices seems like a sound strategy. Location-based applications and services have always been a strong area for Nokia.

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