The CoPilot software has already proven itself as a worthy navigation system for a windows smartphone without us even lifting the lid on the live features, but having got our GPRS account moved across onto the SP3i it was time to register for the live features.  First task is to set-up an account via the ALK Europe website this allows you to send and receive messages and also to send tracking requests.

Having set-up your web based account it's time to connect up the iMate and the CoPilot software, there is a menu within CoPilot to access the live services and to input your screen name , username and password, having done this we were able to check the status of our newly created account and to start testing the features.

When you go back to the main navigation screen a small green icon shows that you are connected via GPRS, that doesn't mean you are exchanging data right now, the interval at which the phone looks for updated info or uploads your location is set in the configuration menu.

There are a couple of features which come alive with the "live" function, the first is tracking, this allows your smartphone to upload your current GPS coordinates to the ALK website where invited users can see your current location on a map. It's up to you to set-up tracking accounts and then to email these to people you want to be able top track your movements, your position is updated at intervals chosen by your and the results are displayed on an interactive map online.

While in the tracking section you can also be sent messages, so a fleet manger can not only monitor where his drivers are but also send them a short text message relating to their next job, a really nice feature is being able to format the message so the mobile user can respond easily and safely. For example if your question was asking how far the driver was from the next drop you can add answer buttons to the message of 15 or 30mins the driver merely has to select one to send the reply. Plus its possible for a route to be planned online and then posted to you on your smartphone for you to use for navigation.

Trying out these features we found the online tracking to be a really cool extra and one that would definitely get daily use and the messaging is also a welcome method of communication especially with the custom buttons.

Perhaps the one live feature we should have tried right off the bat is the traffic updates, using data supplied by the AA you can get info on your planned route straight to your handset. Reports can be limited to roads on your exact route or those immediately surrounding the area in which you are travelling then its possible to automatically or manually re plot a new journey avoiding the hold up.

Sadly this feature is not yet released although it is expected to be available before the summer with a try before you buy style arrangement, the release is expected to be timed with the launch of CoPilot 5 on the Motorola MPx220 and also as a bundled with T-Mobile Smartphones.

The Live elements really do add a lot to the CoPilot 5 Smartphone package and when they are all out in the wild it'll give the new TomTom 5 system a run for its money.

Published - 03/12/2006 21:38

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