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New CoPilot Android Apps

 
Mon, 06/27/2011 - 1:20pm

July 20 update - There are many bugs in this new version. I would strongly advise against purchasing this version of CoPilot. It has been 3 weeks since the app was released and ALK has not issued any official announcements about updates, even though there are tons of complaints on their message boards.

Original Post on June 27 - CoPilot has just released new apps for android. For the next 7 days they are on sale, so check out the press release

http://blog.copilotlive.com/na/2011/06/28/our-new-copilot-li...

After reading the press release it appears that the Standard USA version is gimped, so if you're purchasing during the sale you should get the Premium USA version.

Update - I posted a quick review below. If you currently own version 8 and are thinking about upgrading to version 9 I'd say buy it now. Some of the improvements are probably worth the $10 sale price. But it's definitely not worth the normal $30 price.

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Mon, 06/27/2011 - 1:28pm

I've been waiting for this,

I've been waiting for this, thanks for the heads up.

Mon, 06/27/2011 - 1:36pm

I already have the standard

I already have the standard copilot usa, do I just buy the premium for 9.99 and it integrates into my standard version?

Mon, 06/27/2011 - 2:04pm

No.....

Their website (link above) says that the new and old versions are stand alone and will run side by side but the new version will not upgrade previous versions.

For $9.99 the premium seems like a pretty good deal, especially considering all the new features and the fact that it includes the street maps for all of Canada. Previously, Co-pilot USA was only $5 and Co-pilot N. America (which included Canada) was $15.

I'll wait a few days to see how the reviews come in, but for $10 I'll probably take the plunge and buy it. I LOVE the high level of innovation and speed of upgrades that comes with using an open-source platform!

NP

--
In times of profound change, the learners will inherit the earth while the "learned" find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists...
Mon, 06/27/2011 - 4:12pm

Quick Review

Well, I purchased the premium version and tested it out on a quick drive. I'm actually disappointed in the new version 9 app. While some things are improved over version 8 other things are actually worse!

Here are some of the things I noted:

  • My biggest complaint is that a LOT of the icons/text on the new version are too small. (How hard is it to make large icons for smartphone apps!!)
  • While the interface is improved, it is still not as user friendly as Garmin.
  • Version 9 is supposed to show speed limits and warn you if you exceed the posted speed. I drove on residential streets and a highway and the speed limit icons and warnings never appeared even though I turned it on in the settings menu.
  • Once you reach your destination the app now gives you options such as Park/end route/etc. But the options are REALLY small icons with no description! And if you don't press an option pretty quickly the screen disappears and it's not very easy to end the route.
  • In version 8 the information window (turn instructions, ETA, arrival time, etc.) was on the right side of the screen and you could change the size of the window or make it disappear entirely. In version 9 it's now on the bottom of the screen and there doesn't appear to be a way to make it disappear.
  • To change whats shown in the information window just tap on the left or right side of the window. Options are distance, ETA, time remaining, speed, altitude, and heading.
  • I like the drag route and alternate route features. Very easy to use.
  • It now tells you if your destination is on the right or left.
  • It appears that map updates are only provided for one year.
  • Car routing preferences and road speeds are now customized through the Route menu. Not sure why they aren't under the Settings menu.

    • Overall I'd say version 9 feels a little more polished than version 8. But it still could use lots of improvements.

    Mon, 06/27/2011 - 4:18pm

    Thanks!

    Thanks for the review GG! Based on your experience if you had to do it all over again would you go with the older $5 version or the newer one?

    At $29 (the full price after the current sale) I think I'd pass as I'm actually quite happy with Google Nav as for 90% of my driving it works just great, and, if as expected the next Google Nav update will allow caching of the Google maps. For $10 I'd consider it, but maybe the $5 version is the way to go...I like the idea of the drag-routes, but not sure how much I'm willing to pay for that and it's very disappointing that the map updates are only good for one year....

    Some more comments below:

    GadgetGuy2008 wrote:

    Well, I purchased the premium version and tested it out on a quick drive around my neighborhood. I'm actually disappointed in the new version 9 app. While some things are improved over version 8 other things are actually worse!

    Here are some of the things I noted:

  • My biggest complaint is that a LOT of the icons/text on the new version are too small. (How hard is it to make large icons for smartphone apps!!)

    • Can you zoom in on the screen so the icons are larger? There's no setting to make them larger?

    Quote:
  • While the interface is improved, it is still not as user friendly as Garmin.

    • I actually really like the Google Nav UI, being able to speak the address or location (voice recognition) vs having to type it in is HUGE for me--my 765T was always a pain in the rear that way with lots of mis-types...so Co-pilot9 doesn't have any voice recognition?

    Quote:
  • Version 9 is supposed to show speed limits and warn you if you exceed the posted speed. I drove on residential streets and a highway and the speed limit icons and warnings never appeared even though I turned it on in the settings menu.

    • That's a bummer--that's about the only thing I miss from my Nuvi 765t--the speed limit feature is quite handy...Let us know if you get that sorted out as it should work...

    Quote:
  • Once you reach your destination the app now gives you options such as Park/end route/etc. But the options are REALLY small icons with no description! And if you don't press an option pretty quickly the screen disappears and it's not very easy to end the route.

    • That's also disappointing and doesn't sound very well thought out at all!

    Quote:
  • In version 8 the information window (turn instructions, ETA, arrival time, etc.) was on the right side of the screen and you could change the size of the window or make it disappear entirely. In version 9 it's now on the bottom of the screen and there doesn't appear to be a way to make it disappear.

    • I'm with you, I'd like to be able to put it where I want it and make it go away when I want it to.

    Quote:
  • To change whats shown in the information window just tap on the left or right side of the window. Options are distance, ETA, time remaining, speed, altitude, and heading.
  • I like the drag route and alternate route features. Very easy to use.
  • It appears that map updates are only provided for one year.

    • All good stuff except the map updates--I have a VERY hard time paying for map updates when Google offers the for free...

    NP

    --
    In times of profound change, the learners will inherit the earth while the "learned" find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists...
    Mon, 06/27/2011 - 4:33pm

    .

    Warning - not sure about other phones but on my HTC Incredible you can't search for contacts!! That's a HUGE problem which they hopefully fix soon.

    Mon, 06/27/2011 - 4:56pm

    .

    ORnonprophet wrote:

    Thanks for the review GG! Based on your experience if you had to do it all over again would you go with the older $5 version or the newer one?

    Hard to say. If someone is looking for a backup nav program then I'd recommend version 8 for $5. But its probably a mute point because I'm sure ALK will be discontinuing version 8 shortly.

    ORnonprophet wrote:
    GadgetGuy2008 wrote:

    My biggest complaint is that a LOT of the icons/text on the new version are too small. (How hard is it to make large icons for smartphone apps!!)

    Can you zoom in on the screen so the icons are larger? There's no setting to make them larger?

    Nope, no way to change icon size.

    ORnonprophet wrote:

    I actually really like the Google Nav UI, being able to speak the address or location (voice recognition) vs having to type it in is HUGE for me--my 765T was always a pain in the rear that way with lots of mis-types...so Co-pilot9 doesn't have any voice recognition?

    It doesn't have a true voice search option. But once the app pulls up the keyboard you can use voice search if its on your keyboard. However it's easier to type in your search since version 9 now has predictive search so it starts to show results as soon as you start typing.