The advent of Global Positioning System (GPS) chipsets in mobile devices has been a smart move for manufacturers, especially so for the globe-trotting executives. In recent days, the GPS device has evolved itself as more than a navigation device. Taking that into consideration, there’s been a slew of devices which enhance such navigation experiences with added features such as geo-tagging, for one.

Since the inception of its N-series device, Nokia has started on the navigation path and gave consumers some directional guidance with Nokia Maps 1.0. Looking forward, Nokia Maps has evolved into its latest iteration, Nokia Maps 2.0, and has a plethora of functions and features that fully utilise its integrated GPS feature and work in tandem with the latest Nokia Maps 2.0 for a better understanding of one’s environment, one of which is geo-tagging.

As its naming convention implies, the word geo and tag would encompass location identification and tagging. Essentially, geo-tagging is a feature that tags coordinates according to your current location as detected by your GPS device, onto a captured image on the device. Coordinates are recorded as part of the Exchangeable image file format (EXIF) data on each captured image.

What are the true benefits of tagging coordinates to your images? The answer is plain and simple: easy identification of landmarks, sharing breathtaking sights with people and directing them to it at the same time. With the use of photo-hosting sites such as Flickr, uploaded images will be preloaded with the GPS coordinates stored in the EXIF data and thus allows you to view and share the location of your image with anyone who views it. A bit of tweaking on your Flickr account’s settings is required, but before we do, if you don’t have a Flickr account yet, it’s time to register for one here. Next, you’ll be required to allow any EXIF data from newly uploaded photos to be extracted, and to do so, go to http://www.flickr.com/account/?tab=privacy and search for “Defaults for new uploads”. You will notice an option “import exif location data?” which you’ll need to select Yes for any coordinates to be extracted.

By doing so, all you need to do is view the photo, take note of the right column, and you’ll see a (map) option (as depicted in the image above). Upon clicking, you’ll be presented with the location at which that photo was taken.

But what really matters is the ease of tagging these coordinates to each image. This is achieved via two methods: a device’s integrated geo-tagging function as seen on the Nokia N82 or Nokia N78, or with the aid of a third-party application that’s available at the Nokia Beta Labs. For devices such as the recently launched Nokia 6210 Navigator that are not equipped with an integrated geo-tagging function, Nokia has kindly made its Location Tagger application available for download over at its Nokia Beta Labs.

Installation, like most other S60 applications, is easily done, either with the Nokia Application Installer as depicted above or by transferring the .SIS file to your Nokia device and opening it directly to install the application. With the installation done, there are a few more steps to getting your Location Tagger working in tandem with your camera.

The very first step would be to activate your Location Tagger first, which is found in your Menu > Applications > Location Tagger. Moving on, we proceed to the device’s camera mode. With your Location Tagger application active, an additional icon will be shown on screen. This would be your GPS status icon. With no satellite lock, it will be displayed as a blinking yellow icon. Conversely, once a satellite lock is acquired, the icon turns green and is perpetually fixed, giving you a clear indication that you are now able to tag the coordinates onto the EXIF data of any images you capture at that position.

Devices such as the Nokia N82 and the recently launched Nokia N78 come with an integrated geo-tagging feature, which makes things easier if you were on the road and would like to identify certain landmarks. Unlike the Location Tagger mentioned earlier on, you’ll be activating the geo-tagging function directly instead of a separate third party application. To do so, click on Camera > Options and select Settings, following which, scroll the varied options and ensure that the “Record Location” option is on. Similarly, you’ll be required to acquire a satellite lock first before any coordinates can be imprinted onto your captured images’ EXIF data.

Undoubtedly, with the seamless integration of photo uploading onto your Flickr account via your mobile device (as highlighted in our earlier article), the inclusion of geo-tagging and giving you the option to share your images in more details, numerous avenues are available for you to harness the power of navigation on such Nokia devices. In our final installment of the Nokia Maps articles, we’ll be touching on the most prominent portion of the revamped Nokia Maps, Walk and Drive.