Google has released the Symbian Version of Google Maps for mobile devices running the Series 60 (3rd Edition) Symbian Operating System. Because this is an OS-native application, it will give users a faster and more seamless experience in using the Google Maps application. It has the usual Mobile Google Maps features: Find businesses and locations, Directions, Satellite View, and Traffic overlay. When finding for a location or a business, the search results can also be viewed as a list. It also includes GPS support for the Nokia N95 and other GPS-enabled phones. Locations can be saved in your Contacts Application, which is a pretty cool integration point.

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{ Screenshot from Google Maps Mobile for Nokia N95.
Licensed as Creative Commons by GISuser. More screenshots. }

Being the first release of Google Maps for the Symbian platform, it is not perfect yet, even when compared with the Java-based version. For one, it lacks the ability to save locations as favorites, which is a very useful feature that’s being missed by many (as reported on the official Google Maps for Mobile Group). The java version also has the ability to select a point on the map as a starting point or a destination when searching for directions. Other note-worthy feature requests include the ability to use the app offline, and to leave the back light on when using the GPS feature of the phone.

To get started with Google Maps, just go to http://www.google.com/gmm