Here Maps abandons Windows

By Julian Chokkattu March 15, 2016

here maps abandons windows nokia android — Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a while, Here Maps was synonymous with Windows Phones after Nokia bought and built the brand up. Microsoft then built its own native Maps app with Here’s assets and platform, but Here Maps was still a popular choice for many Windows Phone users. Now, Windows Maps may be the last place you will see elements of Here Maps on a Windows device.

Here has announced that it will no longer support Windows 10, and will be removing its app from the Windows 10 app store on March 29. If you’re on a device running Windows Phone 8, you’re in some luck as the Here Maps app will remain alive, but it will only receive updates that fix “critical” bugs.

Here was bought by Audi, BMW, and Daimler late in 2015, and it seems as though the consortium of companies have no interest in supporting an operating system with an estimated market share of 1.1 percent. Since Windows 10 was released, Here has been using a workaround to make its apps compatible — that workaround will not work after June 30.

Here is instead going to be focusing its efforts on its Android and iOS apps, which were released towards the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015, respectively.

“To continue offering the Here apps for Windows 10 would require us to redevelop the apps from the ground up, a scenario that led to the business decision to remove our apps from the Windows 10 store,” according to Here’s blog post.

So if you’re on a Windows 10 device and have Here Maps installed, don’t expect it to work after June 30. Here recommends using Windows Maps, which comes pre-installed in Windows Phones.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics

Julian Chokkattu

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Julian is the mobile and wearables editor at Digital Trends, covering smartphones, fitness trackers, smartwatches, and more…

Mobile

This Snoopy Apple Watch face is too cute — here’s how to get it

Snoopy watch face on Apple Watch SE

Apple's WWDC 2023 keynote was filed with updates to watchOS. The latest version, watchOS 10, is packed with redesigned apps, stackable widgets, and more. But the cutest part has been the addition of the cute Snoopy watch face.

It brings my old Apple Watch SE to life with cool animations and movements. Snoopy and Woodstock react whenever I raise my wrists. It’s one of the most intuitive watch faces on an Apple Watch, and legitimately one of the best additions to the entire watchOS 10 update.
The Snoopy Apple Watch face is lively, interactive, and fun

Mobile

What is Google Assistant? Here’s the guide you need to get started

Using Google Assistant on the Google Pixel Watch.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is huge news right now, thanks to chatbots like ChatGPT -- but did you know you can already access an AI on your Android phone? Google Assistant is Google's AI-powered voice assistant, and it's available on Android, iOS, and a large number of smart devices (like Google's Nest speakers). While not as capable as ChatGPT (yet), Google Assistant can handle an impressive number of tasks — including pausing and resuming songs and videos, making tasks and reminders, and in some cases, even taking and screening phone calls for you.

That may seem like a lot, but Google Assistant is relatively simple to use. If you've never used a voice assistant before, we've got this guide to help you get to grips with it and take your first steps.
What is Google Assistant?

Mobile

I love the Galaxy S23 — here are 5 things the iPhone still does better

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Apple iPhone 14 Pro

Samsung’s Galaxy S23 has arrived to the masses, and it’s one of the best Android phones you can get right now, especially the S23 Ultra. However, for those who don’t need all of the fancy bells and whistles, like the S Pen and 200MP main camera, the regular S23 is also plenty powerful for the average person, especially if you prefer smaller devices.

I’ve been using the Galaxy S23 for the past few weeks, and so far, my experience has been delightful. I know that it’s still early on in the year, but for me, the S23’s small size is perfect and comfortable. Android also does a lot of things better than iOS, like individual volume controls and notifications, for example. But I am still primarily using my iPhone 14 Pro — despite Apple having some big flaws, such as overprocessing images after you capture them.