Nokia Provides CNN with Mapping Services

The Finnish handset manufacturer has just announced it has signed an agreement with CNN to provide the international news network with mapping services.

The global collaboration between the two giant companies is intended to strengthen and improve their capabilities in global newsgathering, user-generated content, mapping technologies, and location-based services.

According to Nokia, the partnership is already in motion, as CNN announced that it is using Nokia's 3D Maps across its platforms in its recent coverage of the British royal wedding.

“This collaboration is a great fit for us as both companies share a similar philosophy on connecting people beyond borders through the combination of compelling news content and highly sophisticated technology,” said Tony Maddox, managing director, CNN International.

“The international scale of each of our businesses makes the scope of the collaboration particularly exciting,” added Maddox.

In addition, a specially developed application for Nokia phones, CNN App is now available for download via Ovi Store.

The CNN App provides mobile phone users access to CNN's world, business, sport, entertainment and technology reporting, as well as live streaming video.

Furthermore, the application also allows users to share CNN's news via their own social channels, and participate in the reporting process with direct access to CNN's participatory news community, iReport.

The application is available for free from Ovi Store and is compatible with most Nokia phones with Symbian^3, including Nokia E7 and Nokia N8.

“Nokia and CNN share the belief that news is now mobile, powerfully democratic, and can immediately be shared by people around the world,” said Jerri DeVard, chief marketing officer, Nokia.

“We are pleased that CNN wants to use Nokia's innovative mapping services for its international news platforms, and we are excited to work with CNN to deliver a compelling news service to users of Nokia phones.”