Ovi Maps adds Maps Reporter function

Published by at

A Maps Reporter module has been added to the 'More' menu of Nokia's Ovi Maps. It allows users to submit manual reports about errors in the application's mapping and associated meta-data. These errors can range from a missing street or path, whether a street is suitable for walking, to an incorrect speed limit. You will need to be running the latest version of Ovi Maps (3.04) in order to see the Maps Reporter module. Read on for further details and example screenshots.

Map Reporter is accessed via the More icon on the main screen of Ovi Maps. Depending on where you are located, a different number of services will show up (e.g. in the UK you'll see Qype, Expedia, and Timeout as shown below).

When you open Maps Reporter, your current location will be automatically entered (though this can be edited). You then choose what type of report you would like to make (missing street or path, incorrect address, incorrect one way restriction, blocked street or path, not suitable street for walking and poor street lighting).

Maps ReporterMaps Reporter

This generates an automatic report, which can then be submitted to Nokia. You can optionally choose to add additional details (it's probably a good idea to describe the error you are reporting here) and supply your email address.

Maps ReporterMaps Reporter

It is worth noting that Ovi Maps does already include some automatic 'map improvement/reporting' functionality. In the settings of Ovi Maps you have the option to turn Maps improvement on or off (shown below). Presumably this sends back data to the Ovi Maps/Navteq/Nokia servers, which helps improve mapping data.

However there's clearly an advantage to having manual reports as an option too, as humans are generally going to be far better at picking up and reporting certain types of errors. 

Maps Reporter

It's interesting to see Nokia adopt crowd sourcing as a source of data for improving its mapping data. With tens of millions of active Ovi Maps users, there's a huge potential for getting error reports. Moreover, the mobile device is probably the ideal reporting tool as it allows users to submit reports immediately, in contrast to Navteq's current Map Reporter, which requires access to a PC.

Rafe Blandford, AAS

Thanks to @andrew_heatley for the notification.