Mobile Crossing's Advanced WayPoint GPS Navigation Systems

Mobile Crossing already had one of the best handheld GPS Navigation systems available (it is based on a handheld computer), but they recently showed significant upgrades to its WayPoint 100 and WayPoint 200 navigation systems including national maps and numerous new software features, improved user interface, increased performance and upgraded safety features to an already fine product.

The improvements represent the company's new top of the line for handheld navigation systems capable of being moved from one car to another. These National Edition WayPoints can now self-install entire regions of the country at no additional charge.

Calvin Chu, one of the leaders of the company told me, "The great thing about WayPoint is there is no need to install map loading software on your PC. 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." Calvin is right; in this case simpler is better!

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 you 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 of this in a small pocket PC.

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 adds Mobile Crossing’s award winning 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 (64/160 MB) RAM/ROM; an Intel XScale 400MHz processor; NVIDIA MQ1188 video controller with 320X240 (64K Color) resolution; Compact Flash, SD slot and USB. The navigation device/computer is preloaded with Windows Mobile Premium Edition and contains a set of Windows Mobile 2003 applications including Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and Outlook-compatible organizer applications.

The WayPoint 100 National Edition has a suggested retail price of $599.99. Just a bit more than the cost of a plain vanilla pocket PC. The WayPoint 200 National Edition is listed at $749.99, although street prices for both products are often lower. Mobile Crossing's products are available at many retail outlets or on-line at www.mobilecrossing.com.

John Lentz