Well it's been a bit of a roller coaster today with Nokia's big announcement, but the end result is that the N97 will receive an OVI Maps update with FREE, yes FREE Premium Services on 28th January 2010. This is a week after the rest of the Nokia S60v5 range of devices, but they a having to iron out some minor issues with the N97 version prior to it's release.

Through the morning there were a few contradictory messages as to if the N97 would get the FREE Services and the final statement was yes.

What does this mean, I here you ask. Well let me explain.

You will now, not only get the Map data for free, but you will also get free use of the Voice Navigation and City Guides. I'm not clear on if the Speed Limit, Safety Camera and Traffic data will also be free or not, but we'll find out next week. The new version also incorporates OVI Life Casting in the form of "Share Location" which enables users to share their location on Facebook with one click from Ovi Maps, posting where they are and what's on their mind. This decision from Nokia makes Nokia devices stand out above others with there fully integrated and FREE Sat Nav without the need to download Map data Over-The-Air. You can find out more at OVI Maps Features.

Big thumbs up for Nokia on this one.