Nokia announced Wednesday that a beta version of the company's maps and navigation app, Here, is now available on Android. As of now, however, it's exclusive to Samsung devices.

Nokia Here was part of the bigger Nokia. When Microsoft acquired the company's services operation and devices earlier in the year, Here was excluded in the agreement and stayed with Nokia as it became an independent venture.

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Before, Nokia here was exclusive to the Windows Phone mobile operating system, but it's currently being developed to be ported across other platforms such as the iOS and Android. The company said before the year ends, the Here mapping app will be launched in the two operating systems.

In the Android world, Samsung devices will be the first to receive the app, which can be found in the Samsung app store. The app will let users get directions to a venue and get voice guidance along the way.

In addition, users will be able to download portions of maps found in Here, including whole countries, free of charge for offline use.

Meanwhile, Nokia announced the previous week that Here has been integrated into 50 out of the 62 vehicles that debuted at the Paris Motor Show.

The number includes both commercially available cars, as well as concept cars that car makers strut out without necessarily bringing the models to market. The figure doesn't include vehicles that have no in-dash navigation capabilities.

Here, however, faces serious challenges from Google Maps, among others. Although it isn't common in cars as is Here, Google Maps is still used by many to navigate using their smartphones.

Google has gradually expanded the capabilities of Maps by adding building interior schematics, Street View and pictures taken by legions of people who've uploaded them to Google services.

The Finnish company has shown some progress popularizing Here as its device was on 3.3 million vehicles in the second quarter, up from the previous year's 2.7 million. Sales, however, only amounted to US$293 million while no operating profit was made.

TagsNokia Here, Nokia, Here, Samsung devices, Windows Phone