Nokia Update Removes GPS Tracking Feature

Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has released a firmware update for the N95, which reportedly improves the handset in a number of ways, but The Register has noted one disturbing change: The update takes away the tracking feature from Nokia Maps. The feature gives a “you are here” indicator which updates as you move, but now people who want it will have to upgrade to the premium version of the application. Nokia claims the feature was “a limited-time promotional offer”, but that’s not going to wash — if it was the case a time limit would have been built into the service, not provided via an update. It reminds me of my first phone plan, where after several months my carrier informed me that it had “just noticed” that it was charging me incorrectly, and from now on my monthly included calls had a bunch of restrictions — you know, half of the included calls had to be made between 10.02 pm and the witching hour, and 10 percent had to be made from a bridge — but out of the goodness of its heart it wasn’t going to charge me for the months I’d already used. As soon as the contract ended I changed companies, and more than a decade later I still haven’t gone back and never will. This is something Nokia definitely wants to avoid…the tracking feature isn’t used by many people according to El Reg, so Nokia will probably get away with it this time. But if it makes a habit of it people are going to get annoyed, and there’s still plenty of companies for them to buy handsets from…