14 DAY TRIAL // MapUse is a brand new localization application for Windows Phone devices created by the Russian company with the same name. It’s free to download, but you might be required to pay for various layers of the application.
According to the developers, MapUse will offer free maps that will be accessible while offline. The offline mode will make sure Windows Phone users won’t pay for roaming charges when using the application abroad.
Assuming you have enough space on your smartphone, you will be able to download maps of cities/towns of USA, Great Britain, Spain, Portugal, France and cities/towns of Europe, Canada, Mexico, Russia, etc., which will be accessible offline. Each map comes with various layers, so you will know what’s nearby a certain location (shops, cafes, fuel stations, ATMs, etc.).
One of the features that differentiates MapUse app from other applications that promise to offer similar characteristics is the unique “Alina” searching algorithm.
As per the developers’ description, the “Alina” searching algorithm “enables to find streets, places and objects fast and efficiently, both offline and online. ‘Alina’ searching algorithm allows for misprints and inaccuracies in queries, and will output sought-for places sorted out as per distance to them.”
Another distinctive feature of MapUse would be the cross platform capability of the application. Basically, after you buy the necessary layers on one device you will get access to them on all Windows 8 and Windows Phone devices. In addition, all the user actions in the application will be synchronized between all compatible devices.
Here are the main highlights of the MapUse for Windows Phone:
- Highly detailed maps of each city/town online and offline (OpenStreetMap); - Display of the current location with a specific address (street, building, route, etc.); - Support of 41 layers (cafes, restaurants, cinemas, night clubs, food /garment/footwear shops, railway/bus; stations, airports, car parks, public transport stops and metro stations, pharmacies, hospitals, etc.).
MapUse should be available for download for free via Windows Phone Store later today. The application will be fully compatible with devices powered by Windows Phone 8, but we have no details on support for Windows Phone 7.5 and 8.1 yet.
As we mentioned in the article, while the application is free, you will have to purchase the layers you need in order to find out what’s near a certain location. However, developers confirmed that 5 layers would be free of charge: railway/bus stations, airports, metro stations, and public transport stops.
Update: You can now download MapUse for Windows Phone for free via Windows Phone Store.
