Mobile Map Extras

The sophistication of mobile maps means that many people think that the applications cannot benefit from any further extras. However, as time has progressed many developers have included other extra options in their applications, while some users can download other additions from other sources.

General Mobile Map Extras

The definition of a mobile map was quite simple several years ago. Users were simply presented with a large map that allowed them to plot directions between two points. Since then significant advances have been made though, with mobile maps now including many other extras. Some of the most popular additions include the following:

Speed Alerts – Some mobile map developers are providing their users with extensive information regarding the speed in areas. This can range from the simple limit, to warnings when speed cameras are approaching.
Yellow Pages – Many of the large mobile map developers provide their users with a yellow pages feature. This allows them to search for local businesses and find ratings and reviews on these establishments before plotting a route.

Additional Maps

The majority of free mobile map applications provide users with maps for the majority of countries in the world. However, this is not the case for some premium developers, who release their application with the business model of profiting on the download of extra maps. For example, Sygic users can download a simple one country map for one fee, but will be charged extra for downloading extra maps for other countries. While this may seem an unfair and greedy system for the developers, most users will simply require one map which means that they will in the end be paying very little for a premium application.

Different Audio Sounds

Some of the larger mobile map developers allow their users to download extra voices for their application. This mainly applies to software which acts as a satellite navigational product and allows users to listen to turn-by-turn commands. Tom Tom for example allow their users to download a Simpsons package, which means that all directions will be read out by several characters of the popular TV series.

Traffic Subscriptions

The majority of mobile map applications give their users the option of receiving traffic updates. This can certainly be an important additional feature and with most developers not charging a fee for this service, many users will save lots of time by plotting routes that avoid the busiest roads.

Mobile Map Extras Summary

This article has covered just a small selection of the extras that can be downloaded for mobile maps. While most users will be amazed at the array of features that arrive with standard mobile map applications, the extras that can be downloaded can make an even bigger difference. For example, additional features such as traffic subscriptions and additional maps can enhance a mobile map experience emphatically, while the availability of comical audio sounds is also a thoroughly impressive extra. What’s more, the majority of these mobile map extras can be downloaded without a fee.