Mobile Crossing Releases WayPoint 200 Portable Navigation System

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobilecrossing.com/products/wp200/index.aspx#' target='_blank'>http://www.mobilecrossing.com/produ...200/index.aspx#</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The WayPoint 200 is our newest and very powerful GPS PDA. It comes in a sleek Blue finish and a complete car kit designed to look good in your car. It features a complete set of maps and points of interest customized to your geographical region. The WayPoint 200 features a SiRF powered GPS chip providing you the fastest, most accurate navigation service."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_WP200_face.jpg" /><br /><br />Here's another all-in-one GPS solution to consider if you're in the market. The Mobile Crossing WayPoint 200 provides you with a Windows Mobile-based PDA, GPS receiver and GPS software. The device comes with 64MB RAM (41MB free for user), 128MB flash memory (I assume this is the "file store"), 400MHz Intel XScale PXA 260 CPU, 3.5" QVGA screen, and uses NVIDIA MQ1188 video controller. The price is $749.99 for the all-in-one solution plus a regional map of your choice. Alternatively, you can opt for the WayPoint 205 for $799.99 and get the all-in-one plus full nationwide maps.

[Pony99CA]

The device comes with 64MB RAM (41MB free for user), 128MB flash memory (I assume this is the "file store")[...]
The 128 MB flash memory isn't quite like the iPAQ's File Store. The iPAQ (and most other Pocket PCs) use leftover ROM to provide the File Store; the WayPoint actually has Flash RAM inside (basically a built-in memory card).

To the user, there probably isn't much difference, of course. The one time it may be noticed is doing a ROM update/upgrade. With the WayPoint, you won't have to worry about backing up the Flash Disk or having the ROM grow into your data. Pocket PCs that have user-accessible ROM may have to worry about that.

The Flash Disk (the name given to the 128 MB) is meant to hold maps and user settings. This means you don't have to worry about carrying (and losing) a memory card (unless you need more than 128 MB of maps, of course :-D).

Also, unlike most other GPS Pocket PCs, the navigation software is in ROM, so a hard reset won't render the GPS useless if you don't happen to an installation disk or backup.

DISCLAIMER: I do some consulting for Everything Mobile (http://www.everything-mobile.com), which sells WayPoints (and other GPS systems).

Steve