Nokia is pleased to crow about the initial success of its newly-free Ovi Maps software, which was downloaded 1 million times in the first week of availability. The total number of downloads of the mapping software has already reached 1.4 million.On January 21, Nokia announced a change to Nokia Ovi Maps. Before the 21st, the basic mapping software was free for all to use, but if you wanted more robust features, such as navigation, you'd have to pay up. Nokia announced free navigation for Ovi Maps and a number of other new features that bring driving and walking directions and other features to dozens of countries in dozens of languages.

Seems the entire idea of paying for the service had prevented people from using it prior to the pricing change. This is evidenced in the huge number of downloads the software has seen in the first two weeks it has been available. With the software being downloaded 1 million times in one week and 1.4 million times so far, it's clear that there's a healthy appetite for mapping and navigation software and services.

What makes these numbers even more impressive is that the software is currently only compatible with about a dozen handsets, including the N97, N97 mini, 5800 XpressMusic, 5800 Navigation Edition, E52, E55, E72, 5230, 6710 Navigator, 6730 classic and Nokia X6.

Nokia says that starting in March, all of its GPS-equipped phones will ship with the free version of Ovi Maps. Nokia also plans to make the software compatible with most of its extensive list of phones already in the market.