Well-established GPS software manufacturers CoPilot announced the release of a free GPS app at Mobile World Congress last week.

CoPilot GPS is a stripped down version of the popular CoPilot Live app that includes the usual route planning functions and locally stored maps so that you can use the app without a data connection. However, the app does not feature automatic route correction, turn by turn voice navigation, speed limit warnings or 3D maps, although you’ll be able to purchase these features in the app. It’s not clear yet whether you can purchase these features individually or whether it all comes as one upgrade. CoPilot note that this is not offered as an alternative to its paid CoPilot Live app

Do you think the lack of features will stop this competing with the excellent Google Navigation or Nokia Drive? Or do you think it can still stand up to the competition?

CoPilot GPS is expected to be released for android, iPad and iPhone this month

Source: CoPilot

A couple of days ago we brought you the news that CoPilot Live 8 had been announced.

We can now confirm that we have the products available for order.

With 4 different packages available there is a flavour to suit anyone.

Regrettably Symbian users are not catered for with V8 as yet, although compatibility is expected in late 2009. However Windows Mobile and Google Android users can use CP8 on your devices immediately.

There are a whole host of features which can be read about HERE.

DID YOU KNOW? CoPilot Live 8 is even Windows Mobile 6.5 compatible….You cant even get Windows 6.5 commercially yet!

To order your version now visit one of the links below:

• CoPilot Live 8 – UK and Ireland Software and Maps
• CoPilot Live 8 – UK and Europe Software and Maps
• CoPilot Live 8 DVD Edition – UK and Ireland Software and Maps
• CoPilot Live 8 DVD Edition – UK and Europe Software and Maps

GPS navigation has become common place in the world today.  Rarely would we pick up an old fashioned printed map to get from point A to B.

Add to this the evolution in mobile communication and you find numerous smartphones with GPS facilities built into them.

So there is the facility to connect to GPS satellites and get a position, but you need a bit of software to do the tricky bit and calculate in graphic form on a map where you are.  Bring in CoPilot. 

CoPilot Live is the premium navigation software that does just this.  Suitable for Windows Mobile devices, CoPilot Live has a whole host of features to make navigation a whole lot simpler, whether it be in the UK, Germany or Australia.

Currently in version 7, CoPilot is a must have solution for anyone who travels and uses their smartphone for the navigation.

However they have now release version 8!  CoPilot Live 7, but new and improved.

There are countless new features, but some of the best are:

• Clearer guidance at junctions -  New ‘Lane Indicator’ shows you exactly which lane you need to be in whilst driving, using clearly defined arrows, while CoPilot ClearTurn provides a more realistic display of motorway exits and junctions and Real Signpost Information means that what you see on the screen matches what you see on the road.
• Guidance in Tunnels – When you drive through a tunnel you are bound to loose GPS reception.  In CoPilot Live v8, it continues to provide directions and update your estimated time of arrival, even when you lose a GPS signal.
• Turn after Turn Indicator – Clear directions are important on the approach to a turn, but now in v8 CoPilot shows the next turn and the one after that too, ensuring you are more informed and aware of your route.
• Speed Limit Alerts – Different roads have different speed limits and it is easy to miss the sign. With on-screen and audible warnings if you exceed the local limit CoPilot ensures you remain on course but at a safe speed!
• New touch screen UI – New and improved menus and user interface have been designed to take advantage of the latest smartphone touchscreen technology. With 100% finger touch operation, flickable menus and fluid sliding maps there’s certainly no need for a stylus.
• Redesigned menu structure makes it easy to access the most common tasks, while a new on-screen quick launch button allows instant access to the main controls, such as portrait/landscape screen switching, mode of travel and driving view.
• Full-featured walking mode – Pedestrian-specific routing, map display and directions along footpaths. An on-screen compass and a useful straight line indicator make sure that you’ll always be heading in the right direction.
• Photo Navigation – Navigate directly to a photograph! Use a geo-tagged photo and navigate to that location, all from within CoPilot.
• LiveLink Location sharing – Connect to your colleagues, clients, friends and family when you are on the move. You can even help your friends find you! CoPilot LiveLink is a free service which lets you see the location of friends, who also use CoPilot in real-time from your own CoPilot screen. Send an email invite to anyone allowing them to share your location live on an internet map, send you messages and even new stops, straight to your CoPilot.

We expect there to be two versions of CoPilot Live 8 upon release in early September.  These are a UK and Ireland Package and a UK and European package.  Both will include the maps stored on a microSD card.  Whether they come with a backup DVD is still to be confirmed, as is the price. 

However check out the links below to read more about the new version and register your interest.  You will then be informed when the final package contents and price is confirmed.

CoPilot Live 8 UK and Ireland Software and Maps

CoPilot Live 8 UK and Europe Software and Maps

CoPilot is the leading satellite navigation solution for mobile devices.

Manufactured by the American company ALK, CoPilot has over recent years got more and more of a brand name thanks to their strong advertising campaign and their product coverage.

Competing with TomTom, CoPilot beats it hands down now thanks to their improved features and device support.  TomTom is very much limited on the devices it will ‘officially’ run on.

This powerful bit of software is available from us and runs on the Symbian, Windows Mobile and Android platforms and should soon be on the iPhone too.

If you already own CoPilot Live or simply want to be kept up to date with everything that is going on in the world of navigation, why not check out ALK’s blog, which has a very brad range of GPS focused content which you may find of interest.

Visit the ALK/CoPilot Live Blog HERE