Eight percent of U.S. mobile subscribers and three percent of European subscribers accessed maps on mobile devices in the last three months ending May 2008, according to the latest comScore data. It grew 82 percent and 49 percent in terms of the number of users, respectively, MediaPost reported.

According to the study, iPhone is the leading device used to access maps in the United States, while in Europe, more people use Nokia N95 and N70.

“The mobile phone as a personal navigation device makes sense with the influx of devices, such as the iPhone with GPS, Nokia's purchase of NAVTEQ and the growing popularity of downloadable navigation applications,” said comScore senior analyst Mark Donovan, MediaPost reported.

Other highlights from the comScore report include:

• In the United States, 73 percent of mobile subscribers accessing maps do so via the browser, while in Europe, 57 percent do so.
• Less than one-third of Americans and Europeans are using a downloaded application.
• Despite the ubiquity of SMS usage in Europe, only 24 percent of consumers are accessing maps and directions via SMS, just 1 percent higher than in the United States.
• The vast majority of mobile map users are looking for driving directions, even in Europe, where public transportation and non-vehicular options are more popular.