Nokia Ovi Maps adds free turn-by-turn navigation for every Nokia phone

Nokia is to offer free turn-by-turn navigation on all its mobile phones. Whether you're walking or driving, download the latest Ovi Maps software from nokia.com/maps and your Nokia phone becomes a pocket sat-nav -- and you won't shell out a penny for the privilege.

Nokia is offering turn-by-turn voice guidance for 74 countries in 46 languages, as well as detailed maps for over 180 countries. The software will also include Lonely Planet and Michelin guides to your destination, as well as event listings and weather information.

If you like driving in your car, you'll get lane assistance and traffic information from your phone, as well as safety camera and speed warnings. Traffic assistance is offered in ten countries.

If you prefer Shanks's pony, you'll benefit from shortcuts through parks and pedestrian-only zones for over 100 cities, as well as 6,000 3D landmarks in over 200 cities.

Maps can be saved on your phone and used in offline mode, so you won't even need a network connection. That's handy if you're going abroad and don't want data-roaming charges giving your bank balance a kicking. The maps are in vector format rather than bitmaps, so they take up less space too. Favourite routes and destinations can be saved.

Ovi Maps is totally free, with no extra costs for extra regional maps. At 10.30am today, the service will be offered with the Nokia X6, N97 mini, E72, E55, E52, 6730 classic, 6710 Navigator, 5800 Xpressmusic, 5800 Navigation Edition and 5230. More handsets are to follow in coming weeks.

Our intrepid mobile phone reporter Flora Graham is trying out Ovi Maps as we speak, so look out for more information shortly. That's if she can find her way back to the office, of course.