Mobile Crossing has announced some significant upgrades to its WayPoint 100 and WayPoint 200 navigation systems including US national maps and numerous new software features, improved user interface, increased performance and upgraded safety features.
"The great thing about the WayPoint is there is no need to install map loading software on your PC," said Calvin Chu, Product Manager for Mobile Crossing. "Customers unfamiliar with the latest technology are sometimes daunted by complicated software installation features. These devices have a built-in feature to download their own maps, which is a boon for frequent travelers."
WayPoint owners without an Internet connection may order a Map Loader CD for US$5 or a Map Loader Card for US$69. The capability for self-installation means mobile professionals may travel to new regions of the country without using a laptop installer for map changes.
Thanks to performance improvements, the new WayPoints can open, use and search much larger regions of the country than before. The increase in performance makes possible real-time proximity alerts. Proximity alerts are pop up messages that notify the driver of nearby points of interest such as gas stations and tourist sites. Another safety improvement includes a new text-to-speech module that reads street names aloud.
All WayPoints come standard with a car kit with integrated charger, amplified speakers and a home kit consisting of a desktop charger USB cradle. The WayPoint 200 includes Mobile Crossing's Bluetooth GPS. The WayPoint 100 comes with a detachable CF GPS. Every WayPoint features full- color moving navigation maps on a bright touch screen display that is intuitive and readable in day light as well as low glare night conditions.
The National Edition models come standard with a Pocket PC running Windows Mobile 2003 with 64MB RAM, 160MB ROM, based on an Intel XScale 400MHz processor. The display is a QVGA (320X240 pixels) and memory can be expanded through the Compact Flash or SD slots.
The WayPoint 100 National Edition has a suggested retail price of US$599.99. The WayPoint 200 National Edition is listed at US$749.99.
