In February 2009 Nokia launched 3.0 of their maps with 3D enhancements. It was a throw-back to VRML maps of cities in the 1990s, but more practical because of GPS integration and mobile interface. You can use a Nokia phone to walk down a street looking at 3D view — a far more accurate visual confirmation of location.

# In 3D view mode, you can tilt the view by pressing 2 and 8
# 2D/3D mode works with all map modes, i.e. with Map/Satellite/Terrain

Integration with GPS meant it tracked you and the interface turned with you. Here’s a video demonstration from 2009 of what it looks like to navigate through Paris and London. Note that even the Thames water is animated:

Google maps may soon give Android users similar functionality.

TG Daily calls it “Android Google Maps to get a whole lot cooler”. And by a lot cooler they mean a lot more like Nokia’s mobile map interface:

Google is planning a huge update to its mobile location-aware map app in Google Maps 5.0 for Android. Here’s a look at what’s new:

3D Buildings:
You’ll now get a better sense for what the area looks like without having to load up Street View. That’s because 3D renderings of buildings now show up on the main map view.

I remember when working at Space Applications in the early 1990s GPS was said to be developed to assist military flights; the next phase was a zero-visibility 3D rendering for navigation so the crew could sit inside sealed bullet-proof titanium pods. Not sure if all that happened, but these mobile 3D maps make me think I could soon drive without the risk of thin glass in my car or travel in a titanium pod with a 3D HUD and two wheels…