Microsoft Streets & Trips 2005 With GPS Locator Is Smartphone Compatible

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/aug04/08-24ST05withGPSPR.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2004/aug04/08-24ST05withGPSPR.asp</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Microsoft Corp. today announced the availability of Microsoft® Streets &amp; Trips 2005 with GPS Locator, a landmark product that combines the company's first Global Positioning System (GPS) hardware device with the latest version of the best-selling mapping and travel planning software for the United States and Canada. Streets &amp; Trips 2005 with GPS Locator provides real-time GPS tracking and a comprehensive array of maps, driving directions and points of interest to help travelers know exactly where they are and where they are headed at all times...<b>New! Plug and play GPS receiver</b> makes it easy to hit the road with GPS. Motorists can add real-time GPS to their Windows Mobile-based Pocket PC or Smartphone with an expansion sled (sold separately)."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/MSStreetsTrips.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Street navigation is a killer application for the Smartphones. I recently started working on the long standing goal of becoming a home owner and thanks to the Smartphone - Pocket Streets combo, the house hunt is easy and fun. It has helped me locate all the addresses sent to me by my realtor. Check out the product home page <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/streets/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=001">here</a> and see how it can benefit you. The version with GPS Locator will cost $129 and the software only version will retail for $39.95. I am concerned about the expansion sleds, I believe it is an adapter plug that will enable us to hook up the USB based GPS Locator to the Smartphone. I hope Microsoft will have the expansion sleds for all the Smartphone models and that in the future they will release a Bluetooth version.

[lorienferris]

The "sled" probably refers to the bluetooth adapter which is available for the Pharos branded version of this GPS receiver. I believe the GPS units are identical other than the label on the top of them.

[Mike Temporale]

I recently started working on the long standing goal of becoming a home owner

Congrats man! It's a whole new world of never ending chores! :wink: But it's worth it. :D

[MikeL]

I guess after reading all the press releases I still haven't figured out what they are bringing to the phone platform. Is there a GPS device that will connect to the phone or is the software upgrade the only thing you gain?

[Santa Fe]

I agree that the information about this is difficult to determine. It is a case history in how not to introduce a product.

[Kris Kumar]

I guess after reading all the press releases I still haven't figured out what they are bringing to the phone platform. Is there a GPS device that will connect to the phone or is the software upgrade the only thing you gain?

8O

Am I missing something here...

http://www.microsoft.com/streets/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=001

Microsoft is packaging a GPS device (can be connected to the Smartphone via USB) and mapping software for an incredibly low price.

The only (big) drawback is that it doesn't provide turn by turn guidance with voice prompts on the mobile device (and laptop). And another drawback it is not Bluetooth based.

Love this feature...
Should you make a wrong turn somewhere along the way, don’t worry! The New! GPS Trail feature leaves behind a virtual breadcrumb trail that shows you visually where you’ve been on your map, and makes it easier than ever to backtrack if need be.

[Santa Fe]

I guess the confusion could be cleared up if the term "sled" was better defined. A picture would help. Will it be useful to walk around using the smartphone and the gps device and the sled are will there be wires going everywhere?

[Kris Kumar]

Quote from the following product description page...
http://www.microsoft.com/streets/more/10Reasons.mspx#

Adding GPS tracking functionality to your Pocket PC or Smartphone is literally a snap; you just plug the GPS device into a Bluetooth or CF expansion sled, and you're ready to go. For even more power and flexibility in connecting to mobile devices, the Streets & Trips GPS receiver is compatible with Pharos GPS 360 accessories, so it can easily expand into a wireless Bluetooth® receiver or a CompactFlash/PCMCIA connected receiver.

Click on the following links and then on the photo to see the enlarged version.

CF Adapter (http://www.pharosgps.com/products/accessories/GPS_Receivers/REC22.htm) - You can clearly see the GPS Locator (i360) and the CF adaptor in the photo.

USB Adapter (http://www.pharosgps.com/products/accessories/GPS_Receivers/PB009.htm) - Not Mini USB

BT Adapter (http://www.pharosgps.com/products/bluetooth/PT300.htm)

GPS Locator (i360) with Pocket PC Phone Edition (http://www.pharosgps.com/products/incarnavigation/PK035.htm)

[John Cody]

My concerns:

1) Even if there was some type of SD connector/adapter/sled that allowed a bluetooth or wired connection to an external GPS device from my i600/mpx-200, where would the massive map data be stored if my device's sole SD slot is used for the gps adapter? I guess the gps adapter would also need to double as a 256MB memory card.

2) Does the Smartphone version of Pocket Streets 2005 have the ability to calulate routes, or just show a bulls-eye target of where you currently are on a map.

3) If I buy just the "Software only" version of S&T 2005, will it still have the GPS features? The doc seems like all the GPS stuff is only included in the "S&T 2005 with GPS Locator"

[Santa Fe]

Has anyone tried this with an i600?

[Kris Kumar]

1) Even if there was some type of SD connector/adapter/sled that allowed a bluetooth or wired connection to an external GPS device from my i600/mpx-200, where would the massive map data be stored if my device's sole SD slot is used for the gps adapter? I guess the gps adapter would also need to double as a 256MB memory card.


- The connection would be BT based for BT enabled phones and USB based for non BT phones. The SD slot will be free for memory card.

- I feel that one would use this software for local area mapping. I mean city where you live in and the suburbs. Depending on the city where you live, the map file size is between 4-10Mb. I would not use it for city to city navigation.

[Kris Kumar]

Microsoft has updated the product page. It is now listing the compatible accessories or attachments for the GPS locator.

http://www.microsoft.com/streets/upgrade/pharosGPS.mspx
or
http://mstreets.pharosgps.com/

Surprisingly I don't see a USB regular to mini-USB adaptor or convertor. So that I can hook up my non-Bluetooth MPx200 to the locator. The adapter would look something like this. (http://www.twstore.com/gcusbafxm.html)

[John Cody]

Surprisingly I don't see a USB regular to mini-USB adaptor or convertor. So that I can hook up my non-Bluetooth MPx200 to the locator. The adapter would look something like this. (http://www.twstore.com/gcusbafxm.html)

I think the USB port on the MPX-200 and even the i600 is not a HOST USB port, so it can not connect to accessories (like a GPS receiver), it can only connect to a HOST device (Desktop PC, Notebook).

I still have no idea why the designers of the USB standard didn't design USB so any USB device can connect (with maybe just a needed software driver) to any other USB device, and figure out who will be the boss (host) if one is not found - totally ridiculous.

[Kris Kumar]

I think the USB port on the MPX-200 and even the i600 is not a HOST USB port, so it can not connect to accessories (like a GPS receiver), it can only connect to a HOST device (Desktop PC, Notebook).

I still have no idea why the designers of the USB standard didn't design USB so any USB device can connect (with maybe just a needed software driver) to any other USB device, and figure out who will be the boss (host) if one is not found - totally ridiculous.

Good Point...I totally forgot about the HOST USB issue. Actually I don't think I have fully understood the USB connectivity. I remember talking to Neil Enns (MS) about being able to connect my Smartphone to Pocket PC via USB, so that I can access internet on PPC via my SP. He told me it cannot be done, for a very similar reason ;-)

UPDATE: Now I remember. The Pocket PC also has the same limitation as the Smartphone. It cannot HOST devices. :-(

[Santa Fe]

Since the smartphone screen (at least my i600) is pretty much unreadable in bright day light it makes a pretty weak GPS anyway.

[Mike Temporale]

Since the smartphone screen (at least my i600) is pretty much unreadable in bright day light it makes a pretty weak GPS anyway.

Well, your situation is a little different. It's not very often that I'm out in the wide open with the sun beating down on me, no shade in sight. Unless it's under your horse. :wink: :lol:

On a serious note, my phone is pretty good in the sun. I'm using a JAVOScreen protector that features anti-glare. I've found that it really improves the readablitly of the screen when you're in the sun. Watch for a review coming soon. 8)

[Kris Kumar]

Since the smartphone screen (at least my i600) is pretty much unreadable in bright day light it makes a pretty weak GPS anyway.

Good point. I have trouble with the glare in my car when using my Pocket PC nav kit. But luckily I do not intend to use Smartphone in the car or for hardcore navigation.

I always use it to pull up POI based on where I am (wish Smartphones had built in GPS) and also to locate an address, but I navigate to the place myself. For these scenarios the glare doesn't affect me as I am stationary and it just one quick look. :-)

[zoul1380]

Visit us @ http://www.gisnetcenter.com.ph

[Santa Fe]

Did I miss the review of the JAVOScreen protector?

[Mike Temporale]

Did I miss the review of the JAVOScreen protector?

Yes, I think you did. Here's a link:

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,6247

[Santa Fe]

Alas, no JavoScreen protector for the i600 offered. I guess I'll still have hold the phone under my cowboy hat to see the screen.

[Mike Temporale]

I would call or email them and check. The screen size can't be that different. Javo informed me that the model I reviewed will fit the C500 line of phones without problems.

I plan on using this on any and all future phones. Until it no longer sticks. :wink:

[zoul1380]

GIS NETCENTER Software Product..
http://www.gisnetcenter.com.ph/scrshots/GNCViewerMobile_Shots1.gif

http://www.gisnetcenter.com.ph/scrshots/GNCViewerMobile_SAP.jpg

http://www.gisnetcenter.com.ph/scrshots/Mio168_ScreenShot.jpgMITAC Mio168

http://www.gisnetcenter.com.ph/scrshots/EtenP300_ScreenShot.jpg ETen P300

Our Software is GPS ready...
You can Visit us @ http://www.gisnetcenter.com.ph