Microsoft takes aim at Google with Nokia's mapping products

Microsoft wants to build a better mobile phone through its acquisition of Nokia's mobile phone business. One way it hopes to do that? By improving its maps applications to better compete against Google's.

"An effective alternative to Google" and "more than one digital map of the world" are needed, Microsoft said in a presentation on the strategic rationale for the deal, which was posted to the company's website. Microsoft will acquire several new mapping and location services as part of its acquisition of Nokia's Devices & Services business. Chief among them are Nokia's Here Drive, Here Maps and Here Transit. All three were designed to help people travel more efficiently and reduce carbon emissions in the process. Here Transport was geared toward public transportation, offering public transportation route planning in hundreds of cities around the world, according to the Nokia Apps & Services landing page. Here Maps and Here Drive, meanwhile, were designed to help people in cars "plot the most optimal route to their destination," Nokia said. The three mapping apps were made available for all Windows 8 smartphones in July.