New Microsoft Streets & Trips 2009 introduced: Mass hysteria ensues

Posted September 16, 2008 at 07:25 PM by Iyaz Akhtar

Section: Computers, Software / Applications, Gadgets / Other, GPS/Navigation

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]