Nokia mounts huge Ovi Maps signpost on a crane in London (video)

We're generally reluctant to cover purely promotional stunts like these, but when you decide to jack up a house-sized arrow on a crane and hang it next to London's Thames river, well, exceptions can be made. Nokia's big push to inform the world that Ovi Maps is free -- now and forever -- has culminated in the above sign, whose most appealing feature must be that it allows commoners like you and us to control it. People can send in a missive and coordinates via text or email, and then watch as the giant pointer rotates to the given direction and displays their wisdom to the world. See it in action after the break.

[Mr w00t Posted Feb 4th 2010 12:20PM]

That is so cool! :)

It is a pity I was not there to fetch some snaps... At night looked just amazing.

[ninalokiz Posted Feb 6th 2010 4:41AM]

@Mr w00t Ovi Maps (v3.03) that allowed free turn-by-turn navigation for the following cellphones (as of January 31, 2010): Nokia X6, Nokia N97 mini, E52, E55, E72, Nokia 6730 classic, Nokia 6710 Navigator, Nokia 5800 Xpressmusic

And it's all for FREE. Something tells me, this one is a winner release from Nokia. More ovi maps details: http://bit.ly/ovi-maps-amazing-details

[who said what Posted Feb 4th 2010 12:42PM]

Brilliant idea, amazing implementation, stunning promotion!!

[Alexandertron Posted Feb 4th 2010 12:42PM]

This is really cool. Ya even i forgot that OVi maps turn by turn navigation was free, and it just was announced not to long ago. way cool though.

[hary536 Posted Feb 4th 2010 12:50PM]

Surprising that it is reported now, but better late than never. This is quite old news. Nokia did this in around Oct/Nov 2009, when they started "Good things" feature in their online version of Nokia maps.

[egloskerry Posted Feb 4th 2010 2:12PM]

Uh, does that say "I love you so much hardcore porn"?

[theRise Posted Feb 4th 2010 2:53PM]

@egloskerry xxx signifies three kisses. x = kiss o = hug.

[richb93 Posted Feb 4th 2010 5:38PM]

@egloskerry Someone's sarcasm-o-meter is broken! ;)

[cpuwizkid Posted Feb 4th 2010 2:56PM]

too bad the voice navigation in Ovi Maps for my N95 isn't free... Thanks Nokia for nothing! haha

[techchef Posted Feb 4th 2010 2:59PM]

In England they don't use xoxo they only use x's ala xxx.

[thelolotov Posted Feb 4th 2010 4:23PM]

did anyone else think about the potential problems of this?

I'll just leave the rest to your imagination.

[MDizzle Posted Feb 4th 2010 5:45PM]

It should be noted that Ovi Maps isn't entirely free. It's only free on those S60fp5 phones. I had to pay for another year of Ovi Maps navigation on my E71.

[Nrde Posted Feb 5th 2010 3:31AM]

"I had to pay for another year of Ovi Maps navigation on my E71."
@MDizzle

Or you could have used E72 version of ovi maps on your device...

[Nrde Posted Feb 5th 2010 3:34AM]

"I had to pay for another year of Ovi Maps navigation on my E71."
@MDizzle

Or you could have used E72 version of ovi maps on your device...

[r3loaded Posted Feb 11th 2010 10:30AM]

@Nrde I've already tried installing the E72 version on my E71 - it doesn't work :/

[ochampao Posted Feb 4th 2010 6:40PM]

Is the signpost still there or the event was just for a single day?

[maxnaylor Posted Feb 5th 2010 6:30AM]

This is really cool. Not to be an arse, but we call it the River Thames rather than the Thames river.