How to convert Google Maps KML to Nokia Maps LMX

Points of Interes or POIs are landmarks you can add to your phone so you can see them on the map.

LMX is the format that Nokia Maps has for importing/exporting POIs. Most GPS software has their own: TomTom .ov2, Navman/Garmin .csv , Google Earth .kml, etc. You can convert from one to another with several on-line services like POI Editor.

To convert a Google Maps map to LMX so you can transfer all its POIs to the phone you can do it in the following way:

• Point your computer's web browser to Google Maps and open your map.
• Right click on "View on Google Earth" (upper right corner) and copy the link address.
• Paste it on you web browsers address bar.
• Substitute "output=nl" with "output=kml" and press enter.
• Save the file.
• Go to POI Editor, open the tab "Load POI file".
• Upload the just created ".kml" file.
• Go to tab "Save POI File" and download it as "Nokia .lmx" file type.
• Now you can send that file to your phone via Bluetooth.

How to preload maps on Nokia Maps

Nokia Maps comes with no maps preloaded either. That means that, at first, you'll need Internet connection to use it. If not, you won't be able to see the maps. You can easily avoid this by preloading maps your self using one of the following methods:

• Exploring the area previously with Internet connection. Nokia Maps will be caching the area as you explore it. This method is not very accurate as it is very easy to skip some places you can need later.
  


• Using Nokia Map Loader. This method works but needs .net framework, and if you add a new map the map loader deletes all your existing maps so you'll have to download them all over again.
  


• Using the Nokia Maps Alternative. Simply download the maps you want for Nokia Maps 2.0 and unzip them into [memory card]\cities\diskcache.
  

What is A-GPS and how to disable it

The Nokia 5800 comes with an integrated GPS and A-GPS receiver. While GPS only uses satellites for positioning, A-GPS (Assisted GPS) uses the cellular network. This is specially handy in cities, where buildings usually block the satellite signal. This makes A-GPS faster and more accurate than simple GPS. The downside is that A-GPS requires Internet connection through the cellular network so it costs money. You can't access to A-GPS through Wi-Fi either.

You can disable "Assisted GPS" in "Applications" -> "Location" -> "Positioning" -> "Positioning methods".

Now, getting "My position" will take between 30 seconds and 5 minutes instead of only a few seconds. But an Internet connection is not needed!