Nokia’s new Lumia 920 phones include slew of traveler-friendly features

Nokia and Microsoft did a big press hoopla today in New York City to announce the launch of Nokia’s new Lumia 920 Windows Phone 8 smartphones. Among the features, a bunch of them would be of interest to travelers, both the leisure and business kinds, includes Nokia Maps (with offline support), augmented reality app/functions called “City Lens”, a powerful “PureView” camera, and wireless charging stations at airports.

A full list of traveler-friendly features:

— The “PureView” camera in the Nokia Lumia 920 is able to take in five times more light than competing smartphones without using flash, making bright pictures and video indoors and at night, the company sais. It also compensates for hand movement while the photo is being taken.

— It comes with Nokia City Lens, an augmented reality (AR) app/feature. By pointing the camera at a city street, City Lens overlays information about restaurants, shops, hotels and more on the surfaces of buildings, bit like other AR apps work. It also display information such as reviews, ratings and contact information as well.

— The new phone launches with Nokia Maps and will incorporate CityLens into it, which means easy navigation directions overlaid over the maps. It includes additions to both the Nokia Drive application and Nokia Transport app, such as the inclusion of walking directions between public transport locations (via ZDNet).

— Nokia also announced a range of wireless charging accessories and partnerships. A deal with Virgin Atlantic to put wireless charging stations in the London Heathrow Clubhouse lounge.

Product specs:

Videos:

1) Gives a good overview of new features in Lumia 920.

2) Nokia’s “PureView” camera functionality video.

3) Nokia’s CityLens app and functionality video.