Ovi Maps enabled editing for places in Pakistan Region

UPDATE: The editing for Pakistan has again been closed by Nokia Maps. We don’t have any idea why they had to close it once opened for editing. You will see an error like this if you try to add places. It’s the same error as it used to appear since long time when “Adding places” in Pakistan was not yet opened. We’ll update the post once we receive any updates on it. Until then you won’t be able to add places for Pakistan as suggested below.

One of our readers and fan of TechProlonged on facebook reported about it. Thank you readers

Today I was exploring Ovi Maps, like always to get up to date with new changes in there. As Nokia is doing hard in its current situation with Windows Phone 7 transition as well as supporting and updating Symbian platform and so is Ovi Maps updating its app frequently with new features.

A few weeks ago we told you about NAVTEQ Maps when they showed up Pakistan Maps Data in street level detail and we started hoping that soon they will get into Ovi Maps. Pakistan Maps in Detail still didn’t make it to Ovi Maps but in the meanwhile there is a cool update on Ovi Maps website that the editing for public has been enabled for Pakistan Region which was not opened publicly a few weeks ago. It used to prompt with an error some thing like “The editing for this region is not allowed yet” when tried to add places inside the boundary of Pakistan.

The good thing is that before the availability of Pakistan Maps Data on Ovi Maps, you can start adding places and point of interest (POIs) with the help of “satellite” view on Ovi Maps. The photos and media can be uploaded and added to the place for feature enhancement details.

Following screenshots were taken when I added a place “Fortress Stadium” in Lahore.

 

Also there is a bad thing that there will be no moderation on your additions apparently for now. As I just tried to add a couple of places around the city and it didn’t inform me about anything like moderation. After adding a place you will be prompted that the place will be visible to public in 24 hours.

Unlike Google Map Maker which does have a well managed moderation system e.g. Adding a place > Pending > Reviewed/Moderated by other contributors > Published. In GMM, it still won’t get visible to public within a defined period. Instead Google publishes the Map Data manually later some time.

Bad is because without moderation there are huge chances of spam to be added on Ovi Maps. But 24 hours period before the places go live is still better than having no defined period unlike in Google.

So be responsible for adding places and keep the maps clean with no spam. And use “Report this place” option in “more details” to report the place that you believe is a spam, is incorrect or is no more there. Just add the current Geo information.

 

 

Hope you would have liked this post. So what are you waiting for? Start adding places/POIs on Ovi Maps and make it ready before the Pakistan Maps make its availability on Ovi Maps. It would be faster and better to use your contributed places on your devices quickly once the Ovi Maps make Pakistan’s Map Data/Roads available for users.

You just need a Nokia/Ovi Account to sign in before you could start adding places. Go to Ovi Maps, sign in and start adding places you know about.