New Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009 introduced: Mass hysteria ensues
Microsoft, apparently taking a break from the comedic stylings of Gates and Seinfeld, introduced the latest edition of Microsoft Streets & Trips. As you have probably seen on the nightly news, the release had eager buyers in line early and even camping out to purchase their very own copy of Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009.
Alright, that second part didn’t happen, but Microsoft did refresh the software. Microsoft is positioning the software a something for the budget conscious pointing out Streets & Trips helps your wallet. In some respects this is true; the software will cost $39.95 and $74.95 if you want that software with a GPS device. If you already own a laptop, this is definitely a cheaper option than picking up most good stand-alone GPS devices.
That being said, routing trips is simple using free websites including Microsoft’s Live Search Maps. The software is becoming largely irrelevant with low-cost dedicated GPS devices, cell phones that now include GPS, and many cars coming with built-in GPS devices. The Microsoft Streets & Trips option requires bringing in a laptop in the car and hoping it does not slide off the passenger seat. Oh, and don’t forgot the car charger for the laptop.
Perhaps there are business applications for the software where computers are built into the vehicle like delivery services and police. However, as a consumer product, Streets & Trips may be at the end of its life. We’d love to see Microsoft repurpose Streets & Trips by throwing it on UMPCs, in its own Zune, in Microsoft’s secret black box phones: the Zune phone and the much ballyhooed Surface phone.
Read [ Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009]
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The trip planning features in S&T;run circles around dedicated GPS devices. Also, the online mapping sites don’t help travellers who are on the road without an internet connection.
I’ve been using it for years in addition to my Garmin.
on September 17, 2008 at 10:55 AM - LINKHey, Patrick. Glad to know someone still uses S&T;. I’ve used it several times, but it’s just too inconvenient (for me) in the car.
on September 17, 2008 at 11:03 AM - LINKI think for many mobile workers S&T;may be great solution. I’ve used it since version 2003. Mobile vehicle mounts are commercially available. Don’t let the laptop sit on the passenger seat ;)
on September 17, 2008 at 06:40 PM - LINKThe Data Import feature puts a pushpin on the map for every address in a list. Great for mapping addresses of customers, employees, friends, relatives, group members - any list for which you have addresses. This feature alone is worth keeping the product alive.
on October 1, 2008 at 01:27 AM - LINKJeff and everyone else, I’m glad S&T;still has a function. I may have to give it another chance!
on October 1, 2008 at 07:07 AM - LINKIf I am planning a trip, searching multiple MLS real estate listings, or planning a flight as a pilot (Streets and Trips has a handy feature for measuring straight line distance that I also use) there is nothing I’ve seen elsewhere that even comes close to the features MS Streets and Trips offers, the cell phone, portable GPS and even on-line offerings are kinda silly by comparison. If you are planning a week long vacation and plan to visit 6 different sites spread out over 1,400 miles (like SW USA for example), there is a trip optimization feature that will minimize your mileage, and you can override some or all of the sequence of stops it generates. If you are going to drive 90 miles to visit 5 houses, you can minimize that mileage and drive time. Some of the online sites offer some of these things, if you don’t mind taking twice as long to do the same thing because of the lack of convenience features, auto-fill text, etc.
on October 5, 2008 at 09:18 AM - LINKI also have used for years. I used to use it on a laptop, dragged around in my car, but haven’t done that for a long time - I use a Garmin. The Garmin devices do a much better job at navigating, but the MicroLimp software is a great tool that never leaves the house. It does have a purpose.
on October 7, 2008 at 02:48 PM - LINKMark, it always amazes me to hear of yet another pilot using Streets & Trips for flight planning!
on October 8, 2008 at 07:52 PM - LINKIt sure isn’t very convenient.
on November 4, 2008 at 08:25 AM - LINK