I've been reading the so-called "concerns" on this thread, and all it did was to make me shake my head.
Let me point out some things:
- It was Microsoft's idea to make Nokia Maps the default maps software, not Nokia's. They've somehow found Nokia Maps a better option, so that's what they did.
- Nokia Maps is and forever will be WP8's default maps, even on non-Nokia phones. The guy from the HERE team said that they are dealing with the problem of the other apps opening on Bing Maps, which only means that they are going to get rid of any trace of Bing Maps on WP8. Deal with it.
- I've found Nokia Maps to be a sufficient experience. And I live in the Philippines, which should technically not be a priority for the makers of Nokia Maps, but somehow it is. I just wish there were more places listed on Local Scout.
So there. Call me a Nokia apologist all you want, but I'm just telling the truth.
All you've really pointed out is your lack of knowledge of the facts.
Your facts are wrong, which leads you to make bad conclusions and worthless opinions. Let me clear up some of your factually incorrect statements.
Nokis Maps is only the default map app on Nokia devices. Look at this review of the HTC 8X (
HTC Windows Phone 8X - reviews - Mobile Phones - Smart Phones - PC World Australia) and 2/3rds of the way down, you'll see a screenshot of the default maps app, which is Windows Phone Maps.
I'm guessing you are confused by the fact that Nokia supplies the DATA for all Windows Phone devices. As this post and many others have shown, the same data still leads to different search results, directions, points of interests etc between the 2 apps with Windows Phone Maps coming out much better, at least in the USA. There are UI issues of Nokia maps which makes it bad no matter what country you're in.
So your first two points are just wrong.
The third point you make which is just a pure opinion that Nokia Maps is "sufficient" is just that, your opinion. My own opinion is that rather than the "sufficient" Nokia Maps, I'd rather have the better than sufficient Windows Phone Maps app. However, Nokia, not Microsoft, has made it harder to access Windows Phone Maps by removing it from the apps list.