CoPilot Live GPS navigation app for Android

If you like to use your Android smartphone as a GPS navigator, then you may want to take a look at CoPilot Live.

Now, I mainly use free Google Maps and Google Navigation on my Droid X, but CoPilot Live is a nice low-cost option (only $4.99).

Here's a snippet from their press release:

Already a popular choice for iPhone and iPad owners, CoPilot Live USA for Android provides easy to follow, powerful turn-by-turn guidance with clear 3D guidance views and voice directions throughout the USA. Detailed street-level maps are stored directly on the Android device, not downloaded each trip, so drivers don’t need to rely on a mobile internet connection for navigation.


Destination entry is made easy thanks to predictive address matching that finds addresses as you type. Millions of useful Points of Interest (POIs) are pre-installed as standard, including gas stations, restaurants and attractions.  The app also features sophisticated guidance features such as ClearTurn™ realistic display with lane indicator arrows and real sign post information for clear guidance at highway exits and complex intersections.

Learn more here: http://www.alk.eu.com/

Bing for Mobile with GPS navigation and turn-by-turn directions

If you've been looking for a free GPS navigation and spoken turn-by-turn directions, then you should try Bing for Mobile. Medical students are always looking for free software. Why pay money for a GPS navigation app when you can get one for free?

Bing is the Microsoft's search engine and they've made significant improvements to their mobile app for Windows Mobile, BlackBerry, and even for the iPhone. Not sure if they'll release an Android version given that Google has their own maps, their own GPS navigation with turn-by-turn directions, and their own search engine.

Visit: m.bing.com

Android 2.1 OS Update Delayed for the Motorola Droid

The Android 2.1 update has been delayed for the Droid. The Motorola Droid is currently the only Android smartphone on Verizon that's running Android 2.0. This makes it the only smartphone to have Google Maps with spoken turn-by-turn GPS navigation. I've been testing this feature and it's a great GPS! I'm sure the folks at TomTom and Garmin aren't happy with Google.

Motorola Droid vs. HTC Droid Eris?

If you're on Verizon and you're thinking about purchasing a smartphone running Google's Android operating system, you may be asking the question: Motorola Droid or HTC Droid Eris? Maybe you're even planning on waiting for the Google Nexus One to show up on Verizon.

Here's how I would make the decision: consider the pros/cons and these important points:

• Remember that an average smartphone only lasts approximately 2-3 years. So, you're not investing in something that you'll be keeping "long-term." The Motorola Droid is $199 and the HTC Droid Eris is now only $79. The delta is $120 and I'm sure you could use that cash somewhere else. You could even save that towards your next smartphone!
  
• If you're dependent on a physical keyboard (or thumb board) to type and enter text, then get a smartphone that has a physical QWERTY keyboard. The Motorola Droid is the only Android smartphone on Verizon that currently has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard.
• If you plan to watch videos, movies, and TV on your smartphone, then get the device that has the larger screen (Motorola Droid). 
• Are you a power user? Do you need a super-fast processor? Then get the Motorola Droid.
• Want a small and slim smartphone that you can easily place in your pocket? Go for the HTC Droid Eris.
  
• Plan to use your smartphone as a GPS navigator? Currently, the Motorola Droid offers turn-by-turn navigation through Google Maps and we don't know if this feature will become available on the HTC Droid Eris. (you can always purchase third-party GPS navigation software for any Android smartphone)
  

Some people spend way too much time trying to decide on a smartphone. I think it's more important to choose your operating system wisely. If you have limited finances (e.g., medical student or resident), then I would suggest the HTC Droid Eris. If you're an attending (or you have some other source of wealth), then go with the Motorola Droid. Of course, if you're a Mac lover like my wife, then you may be waiting for the Apple iPhone to come to Verizon.

Google Maps Navigation now available for Android 1.6

According to the Official Google Mobile Blog, Google Maps Navigation now available for Android 1.6. So, if you happen to have a smartphone running Android 1.6 (Donut) and higher, such as the T-Mobile myTouch 3G and the G1, then you're in luck! Your devices may not run Android 2.0, but you can still get voice guidance and automatic rerouting features.

When will Google Maps Navigation be available for Windows Mobile?

AT&T and Garmin present the nuviphone

The Garmin nuvi is a very popular GPS car navigation system. Now, we see that AT&T will have the Garmin nuviphone. You'll get a GPS navigation system running the Garmin system and you'll get a phone. What a great combination!

I already have a TomTomPhone on my smartphone with my combination of TomTom navigation software on a Windows Mobile smartphone. You can also load Garming GPS navigation software on a Windows Mobile smartphone (among other types of smartphones)

The nuvifone G60 will be available in AT&T stores or at www.wireless.att.com on October 4 for $299 with a two year service agreement after $100 mail-in-rebate. Nuvifone Premium Connected Services which includes traffic updates, white pages, weather, movie, local events and fuel price content are available for $5.99/month after a 30-day trial.

So what's so exciting about the nuviphone? It's not exciting for medical professionals who want to run medical software. I doubt that the Garmin operating system will run many medical apps.

Creative Zii Egg: Handheld StemCell Computer

What is the Creative Zii Egg? It looks like an Apple iPhone, but it's not a phone. It's advertised as the "World's 1st Handheld StemCell Computer." It will include the Opera mobile web browser, but it's more than a mobile internet device (MID). It has cameras on both sides (HD and VGA). It's the first device running Plaszma OS and it's branded as "Google Android ready."

I'm not entirely sure what StemCell computing means, but it sure sounds interesting:

• Super-charged Android using StemCell Computing Technology

Here's a small blurb about StemCell computing from Zii.com:

Introducing the ZMS-05 media-rich processor, this nano-sized chip that marks a brand new era in technology: StemCell Computing. A complete solution, the ZMS-05 chip offers incredible flexibility, excellent energy efficiency and maximal scalability. Discover the incredible benefits of nano-sized supercomputing and how it can transform your everyday life.

The Zii Egg will have Wi-Fi and an internal GPS, so at the end of the day, maybe this provides us with a glimpse of the next iPod touch. As more of these handheld evolve into GPS navigation systems, I often wonder what will happen to the standalone car navigation systems made by TomTom, Garmin, Magellan, and others.

Migrating from Windows Mobile to BlackBerry

I've been using Windows Mobile for many years and I have not had to think about migrating to a different operating system. Now that I'm switching to the BlackBerry Storm, I have to get all my data ready so that I don't lose any critical data.

Step 1:

So, the first stage in migrating from Windows Mobile to BlackBerry is to ensure that all my critical Personal Information Management (PIM) data is preserved. Since I use Microsoft Outlook, that's easy. All of my calendar and contact info should synchronize just fine.

Step 2:

None of my Windows Mobile applications (or apps) will run on BlackBerry, but I can probably find some equivalents. I'll start with medical apps such as Epocrates and other medical references. Then, I'll play around with GPS navigation and Twitter apps. I also plan to test PdaNet for tethering.

Step 3:

Accessories. I won't be purchasing any accessories until I'm certain that I'll be keeping my new Storm. Since the Storm uses a micro USB data/charging port, I won't need to get any proprietary chargers. I may also get some micro-to-mini USB converters that will allow me to use all my old mini USB chargers.

Well, let's see how the next few weeks go as I switch to BlackBerry. Expect many BlackBerry-oriented blog posts from me unless I decide to switch back to Windows Mobile.

Is it time to switch to a new smartphone?

I've been using a Windows Mobile smartphone for several years and now I'm thinking that it may be time to switch to a BlackBerry Storm. Right now, I use the Verizon Wireless XV6800 made by HTC. It's an old phone and it's starting to have some hardware problems. I've asked Verizon to send me another replacement (which makes this phone #4) and I'm thinking about switching to a different phone.

I know that the BlackBerry Storm 2 is coming out this fall, but I don't need Wi-Fi and I can get the current Storm for free (with the "new every two" plan I get a $100 credit). So, what should I do? Should I switch from Windows Mobile to BlackBerry? If I weren't stuck on Verizon Wireless, then I'd go for the iPhone 3G S.

What would I miss if I switch from Windows Mobile to BlackBerry? The app that I'd miss the most is the TomTom GPS Navigator. I use my smartphone as a GPS when I'm driving. Although I could do that with the BlackBerry Storm, my options are fairly limited.

The alternative is to stay with Windows Mobile. I don't want another slider and I don't want to spend any money on a new device if I can get one for free. The Samsung Omnia is nice, but there's a newer model coming out soon. The HTC Touch is also nice, but there's the Touch 2 coming out soon. Maybe it's time to return to the Palm Treo form factor and go with the Samsung Saga. I'm torn. Perhaps it's time to switch to BlackBerry.