The launch of Nokia’s Smart2go system marked a sea change in the way mapping and navigation worked, at least in terms of smartphones and handheld devices. Previously there had only been the two models - the traditional one, where you buy a memory card with all the maps on it, along with a license (enforced) to use it with one device - this solution typically would cost at least £70, or up to £200 when bundled with a Bluetooth GPS. The other solution was to simply have a small client application on the mobile device and load up routes, map segments and calculated directions over the Internet, usually by signing up (again for the one device) with the appropriate Internet service. In latter times, basic mapping and route planning have been free using this technique, with the likes of Google Maps.

Each solution had its downsides. The first solution’s downside was the sheer expense and commitment, especially if you had more than one mobile device in the family or you tended to upgrade/swap quite often. The second solution’s downside was cost (again) and also a dependence on the network - if you got really lost then the chances are that you’d drive out of network coverage area and you wouldn’t then be able to plan a way back.

With Smart2go (initially developed by gate5, subsequently bought up by Nokia in mid 2006), this traditional either-or scenario is turned on its head completely. Not least because the software and maps are basically completely free, for as many devices as you care to load it up on. The idea is that detailed street maps of virtually the entire world are made available for free, along with route calculation and display of your GPS position (if required, should you own a Bluetooth GPS). There’s the option to have all maps stored on your expansion card or to grab them as needed over GPRS or 3G data, so you can plump for the option that’s best for you.

So how can Nokia afford to give this away for free? The idea is that if you wanted to upgrade the system to ‘Navigation’, i.e. to supply turn-by-turn instructions in real time, based on your position (along with spoken commands e.g. “In 100m, turn left”), then (and only then) would money change hands. And, unlike traditional £100 for life or for one year arrangements, there’s the option of licensing navigation for as little as a day (for a couple of Euros), for a week, a month, right up to £30 (50 Euros) for a year, at which level it’s still an awful lot cheaper than its competitors.

We really, really like this kind of ‘pay as you go’ licensing for navigation. Effectively, it means that you can keep any maps you want on any devices you want (S60 or Windows Mobile) and use them as much or as little as required, all for free. Then when you plan a trip and are going to stray from your familiar area, you license navigation on whichever device is going to be your main companion for a week or month (for example) and you’re done. Nothing extra to install, you don’t even have to get your credit card out. Simply request navigation and the appropriate premium SMS messages get sent, to debit your phone bill/account. Really rather neat.

[Reviewed by Steve Litchfield from All About Symbian]