CoPilot Live UK TBT GPS app now available

[Phil Lee]

I've just found out that ALK have released CoPilot Live to the app store today for the bargain price of £25.99. As a long time user of CoPilot on Windows Mobile I'm just heading off to buy this. The wait for TomTom has been too long, TomTom's loss is ALK's gain.

http://www.alk.eu.com/copilot/iphone/iphone-3d.jpg

Here's a list of features:

* Full spoken turn-by-turn voice directions
* Detailed street maps of UK and Ireland with full UK post codes stored on your iPhone
* Clear 3D and 2D driving views with SmartZoom™ speed-variable zoom and street names
* Navigate to a house number, street, intersection or address book contact
* Automatic portrait and landscape display switching
* Comprehensive multi-stop pre-trip planning and preview
* Route optimizer works out the best way around multiple stops
* Intelligent navigation provides guidance in tunnels and underpasses
* Automatic day/night mode
* Navigate to thousands of Points of Interest
* Lane indicator & CoPilot ClearTurn™ provides a more realistic view of motorway exits and junctions
* Real Signpost display matches real-life signs
* LiveLink™ location sharing and messaging: keep track of your CoPilot friends, live on-screen!
* Live 5 day weather forecast for your location or destination
* Roadside Assistance helps you contact your breakdown company and tell them your location
* Huge range of customization features to suit the way you travel
* Customized trip status displays, including eta, distance remaining and more
* ... and much more

See here (http://www.alk.eu.com/copilot/iphone/) for more info or visit the and iTunes Store (http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=324592881&mt=8) for full details.

BTW, I have no link with ALK.

[ct2k7]

I've been looking at it, and it looks great :)

[Macjames]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A400 Safari/528.16)

Is this a sale price?

[Requiemm]

If/when they release a US version it'll be a major contender for my navigation $$

[Phil Lee]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (iPhone; U; CPU iPhone OS 3_0_1 like Mac OS X; en-us) AppleWebKit/528.18 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile/7A400 Safari/528.16)

Is this a sale price?

I have no idea. There's no mention of it in the app store entry. There's a review here (http://www.pda-247.com/wordpress/2009/08/co-pilot-live-8-for-iphone-review/) suggesting that there's a European version coming out for £59.99 as well. As an infrequent visitor to the continent I can't justify that expense so went for the UK version. I've had a little play with the app and it looks a lot better than CoPilot Live 7 on Windows Mobile. There are some placeholders for additional features too, particularly in the Live section for traffic updates.

[ct2k7]

Sale?

I've emailed them regarding this.

[Rayfire]

I've emailed them if (ever) they're gonna release a US version ;)

[m3coolpix]

Great graphics & text throughout (very easy on the eyes). This one also looks interesting if they release for the US.

[Macjames]

Heres a few reviews i have found on google

http://www.gpsdaily.co.uk/reviews/review-copilot-live-for-iphone/

http://www.pda-247.com/wordpress/2009/08/co-pilot-live-8-for-iphone-review/

[Marky]

This looks superb - I'll wait for a few more reviews but with all those features at that price I'm very tempted to give up on Tom Tom now and splash my cash! :D

According to the App store listing they even have Safety (speed) Camera alerts coming in the next free update.

The only thing holding me back right now is that this seems almost too good to be true! £25 quid must be an introductory price surely!

[Chi 1080]

Anyone have any idea on how this app handles incoming phone calls?

[Tunnelrunner]

This looks very promising. I'm praying this comes to the USA....

[Phil Lee]

It did OK on my 10 mile journey home tonight.

[ct2k7]

Just checked the licensing and:

Application is licensed for:


UK and Ireland
Standard
Live, Weather, Roadside Assistance
Local Search and Fuel Prices
Speed Limits and Lane assistHowever, you can upgrade to get:


Landmarks
Truck Routing
Traffic (GPRS) (£34.24)
SDK
Traffic (TMC)
Professional
HazMat
POI subscription
City Maps
Data Upgrades
POI Premium images
Canada
TTS and ASR
Off Board RoutingLooks like, you'll need to purchase a few things, you need a product key for these unlicensed features to work by the way

[Macjames]

I could easily live with the standard package, this is looking better and better against Tom Tom every minute.

[tivoboy]

I have used this product now for about eight years, on other platforms, and if this is anything like their current winmo and pc products, I'll buy it. This would be a great price, although it looks like the cafeteria pricing might ding us down the road.

In UK, I think they use TeleAtlas, but in the USA they use their OWN, which has gotten quite good in the past 2-3 years. I like the interface, the way the application works and the options, things like the LIVE service WHILE in the application if could be carried over would be GREAT!

I'd but it for a $, or at least 45$.

[Merlinwiz]

Looks fantastic and well worth the money! Just posting this in the hope that someone from TomTom reads this thread, another customer lost from taking too long! :D

[Macjames]

Looks fantastic and well worth the money! Just posting this in the hope that someone from TomTom reads this thread, another customer lost from taking too long! :D

Although i was waiting for Tom Tom, this price may just be to good to pass up :D

[tivoboy]

Looks fantastic and well worth the money! Just posting this in the hope that someone from TomTom reads this thread, another customer lost from taking too long! :D

to be fair, it does take quite a bit more time, effort and money to make a hardware and software solution. I don't think any vendor would have had more of an advanced look at the upcoming specs for the 3Gs, not that it is only 3gs product, but it will take them a bit longer to run the race regardless.

[harrinp1]

Although i was waiting for Tom Tom, this price may just be to good to pass up :D

Well I've paid my money but the app is unusable for me. It crashes every time I try to enter my email/password and I can't get past that screen!

Let's how good their tech support are!

[Macjames]

Well I've paid my money but the app is unusable for me. It crashes every time I try to enter my email/password and I can't get past that screen!

Let's how good their tech support are!

Ha Ha :rolleyes: i read this just after i bought it! Still no monthly fees and amazon have a good looking suction type iPhone holder car holder for around £7.99 which will make up for the mount.

[Macjames]

works fine for me thankfully

[Marky]

Sorry Tom Tom you were just too late!

Just downloaded CoPilot Live UK and synching now :D

[ramzez]

Well I've paid my money but the app is unusable for me. It crashes every time I try to enter my email/password and I can't get past that screen!

Let's how good their tech support are!

I had the same problem just try activating using WiFi. A friend activated just fine, but i am on pay as you go and he is on contract, maybe data gateway is different.

[Marky]

No problems activating here at all. Hope you get yours sorted soon.

Stood by my lounge window whilst setting it up despite knowing there would be no chance of locking onto a satellite from there.........my Tom Tom never has and besides I'm indoors!

um..... it locked on and located me bang on accurate straight away!

With my Tom Tom which I've had a few years (the Tom Tom Mio digiwalker) which has always been reliable etc, I could never get a satellite lock in the car park or in the immediate street outside our appartment (lots of tall buildings)......so to get a lock in the window of our apartment was quite a surprise :)

[harrinp1]

I had the same problem just try activating using WiFi. A friend activated just fine, but i am on pay as you go and he is on contract, maybe data gateway is different.

I was on wifi. Only thing that is different on my iPhone is that I am running 3.1 beta firmware.

[fredf]

Just checked the licensing and:

Application is licensed for:


UK and Ireland
Standard
Live, Weather, Roadside Assistance
Local Search and Fuel Prices
Speed Limits and Lane assistHowever, you can upgrade to get:


Landmarks
Truck Routing
Traffic (GPRS) (£34.24)
SDK
Traffic (TMC)
Professional
HazMat
POI subscription
City Maps
Data Upgrades
POI Premium images
Canada
TTS and ASR
Off Board RoutingLooks like, you'll need to purchase a few things, you need a product key for these unlicensed features to work by the way



Frankly I would be a little concerned about a software package that has a number of add-ons at a price.
For instance, I see POI subscription is an extra charge--I wonder if, when all is said and done, it costs a lot more than advertised.

I also found their website useless as to what is coming. Again, I note in this list that 'Canada' is there. No mention on their site.

We'll just have to see. They better clue in before Aug 15 or I'm deciding on Navigon or iGO My Way.

[ramzez]

Frankly I would be a little concerned about a software package that has a number of add-ons at a price.
For instance, I see POI subscription is an extra charge--I wonder if, when all is said and done, it costs a lot more than advertised.

I also found their website useless as to what is coming. Again, I note in this list that 'Canada' is there. No mention on their site.

We'll just have to see. They better clue in before Aug 15 or I'm deciding on Navigon or iGO My Way.

I think it is just licensing information, i have the same on version 7, looking at http://www.alk.eu.com/copilot/iphone/ there is nothing about upgrades.

[ramzez]

I was on wifi. Only thing that is different on my iPhone is that I am running 3.1 beta firmware.

hmm, in that case what else would you expect if 3.1 is not released yet

[sneeks]

Well I've paid my money but the app is unusable for me. It crashes every time I try to enter my email/password and I can't get past that screen!

Let's how good their tech support are!

Uncheck the notify by email box and then see if it works, it does for some people.

[londonmystery]

Downloaded and installed very quickly. Used a couple of times already on routes I already know. Locked on to satellites very quickly and was very accurate. At the price it was I for one am very impressed and am saying thanks but no thanks TomTom. I may even get rid of my stand alone TomTom if it continues to be this accurate.

Thanks for the heads up OP. :):)

[speed12]

Frankly I would be a little concerned about a software package that has a number of add-ons at a price.

It could be quite a good idea actually, provide a basic, but well deployed, solution for a low price that the average user will find perfectly adequate and then have the option to purchase the specific extra features you may require. I mean personally none of this features, apart from tts, really grab me and so I would be happy with the base software. But someone else may want 3 or 4 of the features Nd can tailor make their software to match what they need.

I have to say, even though I'm holding out to see what tom tom offer, this has definitely caught my eye....

[jacksam101]

I was also having the crashing issue - found the following online which worked for me:

"Uninstalled app from iPhone
Re-Synced iPhone to Itunes
Power Cycled iPhone
Re-Installed App from iTunes

Full reset iPhone

To reset iPhone, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least 10 seconds. During this time, a red "power off" slider may appear and the screen may go black, but do not release Sleep/Wake and Home buttons until the Apple logo appears.

Fired iPhone back up again, removed the tick from email notification for good measure just in case"

I tried this and now have fully working Copilot !! The only feature I haven't found yet is how to mute the voice (whilst leaving other iphone sounds on)

Hope this helps those who app is crashing on install

[odelay]

I tried this and now have fully working Copilot !! The only feature I haven't found yet is how to mute the voice (whilst leaving other iphone sounds on)


Go to menu / settings / turn warnings, then uncheck all the boxes (2mi, 1mi, 500yds & "at turn"). Then you get no voice warnings, but you still get your iPod music.

[tjcampbell]

Just downloaded and installed it. Will post a review later.

[harrinp1]

I was also having the crashing issue - found the following online which worked for me:

"Uninstalled app from iPhone
Re-Synced iPhone to Itunes
Power Cycled iPhone
Re-Installed App from iTunes

Full reset iPhone

To reset iPhone, press and hold the Sleep/Wake button and the Home button at the same time for at least 10 seconds. During this time, a red "power off" slider may appear and the screen may go black, but do not release Sleep/Wake and Home buttons until the Apple logo appears.

Fired iPhone back up again, removed the tick from email notification for good measure just in case"

I tried this and now have fully working Copilot !! The only feature I haven't found yet is how to mute the voice (whilst leaving other iphone sounds on)

Hope this helps those who app is crashing on install

Thanks that seems to have fixed it!

[LostLogik]

Just installed this (sorry TT but you were taking just too long) and am very happy with it. Installed via wifi straight onto the iphone, even with a break in the middle as I left the house having forgotten it was still installing - man it's a big install, takes for ages. But returning to the house the installation picked up where it left off and continued to completion. A quick Live account setup and then straight into the app with no problems.

Coming from an extensive history of TT use, I did find this a little confusing to get my head around the various options and screens but it all seems to work very well. I've yet to use it extensively but I do like the multitude of configurable options available, to get it exactly how you want it. Even having the option to configure how quickly it gives turn info. So much depth to this app it's such a head-full. It has the ability to choose exactly what information should display in its info bar and also how many info bars you want; 1, 2 or a looping setup which pops up all of the detail required at different times. You can also display speed limit warnings depending on the ‘exact’ speed you are doing and what screen orientation, be it landscape, portrait or automatic.

At this price it's a no brainer. Sorry TomTom, you may have IQ routes but given CoPilot has such a complete package at such a competitive price, you are definitely the loser.

[speed12]

I have to say, I was really holding out for Tom Tom, and I still reckon it will be a great package, but........£25 and it basically does everything you would need. I don't think I'd use many of the more fancy features in some of the other nav apps (except traffic which would be pretty handy..) and Copilot just looks extremely polished. I've only seen great reviews of it and the Android, WinMo versions etc and so I've just ordered myself a Griffin Window Seat and will be downloading CoPilot as soon as I get home from work...job done!

[fredf]

I too am really interested in this program. I will have to wait until the north american (including Canada, I hope) comes out.
What I don't understand is why everyone says it is so cheap. On iTunes the European maps are $99 which is the same price as Navigon. So what's the big deal about it being such a great value?

Anyone using it---please post.

[Phil22]

This app looks really nice, just one question though and that is if it is any good for walking (as Tom Tom is) especially when abroad? In essence, can it be used as a map to find your way around a foreign country by foot?

Cheers in advance

[trihard]

I am curious why there isn't any video of it working (either on their website or on youtube)? I would like to see it in action instead of still pictures.

Can anyone verify if it actually says street names? Does it say "Turn right at the next light" or does it say "Turn right at Brookville Road"...that sort of thing?

I wonder why they would delay having a US version when they already have a US version on other platforms. They have the app, so it is just a question of the maps, which they obviously have from the other platforms, so that seems odd.

[Tiffy]

I wonder why they would delay having a US version when they already have a US version on other platforms. They have the app, so it is just a question of the maps, which they obviously have from the other platforms, so that seems odd.

They have released UK first, Europe 2 days after, so probably US will soon be released !

[tivoboy]

maybe they are simply waiting on the app store approval for the USA version? Somehow, that usually takes a bit longer, not sure why. Could be that OUR CARRIER has some extra requirements and restrictions and therefore, the apps go through a different round of restrictions and approval process?

Here's hoping it comes out soon!

[Marky]

This app looks really nice, just one question though and that is if it is any good for walking (as Tom Tom is) especially when abroad? In essence, can it be used as a map to find your way around a foreign country by foot?

Cheers in advance

I haven't tested it out but it does have a specific mode for walking.

On a seperate note:

Don't know if the others do this but quite like the feature where if a street/road etc isn't 'named' as it's not part of your route and your 'zoomed out' enough not to have all the non route streets named - just tap your finger on one of those roads and it instantly puts up the details for you.

[fredf]

I called them in New Jersey and they said the U.S. version is not days away but 'a couple of weeks'. No info on pricing.

[ct2k7]

Response (Adrian) - 07/08/2009 11.43 AM
Dear Adrian,
Thank you for contacting CoPilot Technical Support.
We confirm that the prices are final:
UK Maps = £25.99
EU Maps = £59.99

If you have any further questions, or feel that this incident has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please do not hesitate to bring this to our attention.
Regards,
CoPilot Technical Support
http://support.alk.com

[Fedorov]

I too was holding out for the TomTom app but it's just too hard to refuse trying this app for the current UK price. Installed via wifi to my iPhone this morning, restarted my iPhone as I always do after installing apps, ran CoPilot, activated it no problems with my wifi and used it immediately on my day out today :)

The only issue I had seemed to be the accuracy/distances especially if I'd just taken a right turn and I needed to make an almost immediate left turn, I drove past the left turn as it didn't realise I was that close or on the that 2nd turn and it didn't realise until after I was just past the turn.

Now, could this be the fact I had the iPhone resting on my wife's leg in the passenger seat - am I correct in thinking that a satnav device is "supposed" to be windscreen mounted for better GPS reception/accuracy? If so then this explains the slight inaccuracy sometimes on exactly where I was in relation to some turns.

Other than that, it seems an excellent piece of software for the price and I look forward to the next update with the QWERTY keyboard and other enhancements! :)

[speed12]

I went for it when I got back from work and after grabbing the Griffin Window Seat from Halfords (great mount!), gave it a quick test drive. And it seems superb! Everything I'm looking for in a TBT nav app anyway!

Very clear mapping and directions, extremely fast re-routing if you go wrong or no a local short cut and very intuitive menus etc. So definite 5 stars for this one.

[LostLogik]

The only issue I had seemed to be the accuracy/distances especially if I'd just taken a right turn and I needed to make an almost immediate left turn, I drove past the left turn as it didn't realise I was that close or on the that 2nd turn and it didn't realise until after I was just past the turn.

It does have a feature I like to counter those situations: there is an option to display the 2nd next junction as well as the next. So you see on your screen next turning left 50yds then 2nd junction turn left 60yds. Very handy for those quick double junction moments.

[Mac.80]

I downloaded the UK version this morning. I've used it extensively around Belfast and Antrim today. As a former TT user, I was hoping for their release before my NI tour.

CoPilot seems to include all the features I used on TT and I like the interface better. Very fast acquisition (of course, this is constellation-dependent), very good accuracy and dead-easy to use. I like the second junction display very much. The routings were very good and were in keeping with the priorities I set.

Sound level and clarity are quite good. The iPhone GPS antenna seems to be fully adequate. I see no need for additional hardware (as recommended for the TT solution).

I'm afraid I'm another ex-TomTom client. My wife thinks it would be nice if CoPilot offered a family licence.

[odelay]

I've used Copilot fairly extensively over the past couple of days, and to be honest, it's buggy, ugly, lacking in useability and not even close in terms of reliability compared to Navigon which I also own. It has been constantly giving me dodgy directions, taking much longer than Navigon to recalculate a route, and displaying glitchy, screwy (for want of a better word) graphics.

I really wanted to like this app, but I don't like the map display, the contacts list - what is with that?! The menu navigation is hardly intuitive, the route navigation is far from smooth, much more jittery than Navigon.

Bugs I've noticed include:

• a totally screwed up lane assist view, as if two images are overlayed over each other
• when stationary the location indicator is huge and for some reason the 3D display focuses a few miles away, with my location off in the distance somewhere
• when changing between landscape & portrait view it takes a good few seconds to readjust the image making it look really stretched
• when the lane assist view closes it goes back to the map, but a few hundred yard from my actual location before readjusting
• iPod music volume doesn't lower when the VoiceOver comes on, and there's no volume setting for the voice, and it's too loud when my music is at a good volume
• GPS accuracy is not good, telling me to exit the motorway left in 1 mile when the road sign I pass tells me the exit is in 0.5 miles
• 2D map scrolling is way too sensitive, making it very annoying when panning around a 2D map
• sometimes when going from 3D to 2D maps, the map centers on the most south-west point of the Europe map, even though this is the UK version
• road names sometimes get overlayed over each other making them unreadable.

OK it has some features that Navigon doesn't have, weather, more voices, I dunno, I think there's a few others, but without basic functionalit and reliability, I can't compare it. Navigon is far superior in my experiences, more reliable, accurate, smoother route navigation, more intuitive menu navigation, much nicer UI and map graphics. Navigon is not perfect, but it's a solid app and does what it says on the tin.

I know most people don't appear to have had these issues, and the majority are happy, but these are my opinions of it, and I have found it to be more of a beta release and something ready for sale.

And yes, I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling/rebooting etc.

[Tunnelrunner]

@odelay,

Thanks for the mini-review. Always helpful to hear the not so positive aspects of apps as well...

[Rayfire]

Here was their response after I've asked them if they're gonna release a US version of their application:

Response (Dave) - 07/08/2009 07.02 PM
Dear Rayfire,

Thank you for contacting CoPilot Technical Support.

We are currently working on additional map versions which will be available soon.

If you have any further questions, or feel that this incident has not been resolved to your satisfaction, please do not hesitate to bring this to our attention.

Regards,

CoPilot Technical Support
http://support.alk.com

[fredf]

Rayfire: I hate those kinds of responses: off the shelf bafflegab.
That is not an impressive response, they simply hit a button and pressed 'reply'.

[Rayfire]

Rayfire: I hate those kinds of responses: off the shelf bafflegab.
That is not an impressive response, they simply hit a button and pressed 'reply'.
More of like a canned reply :rolleyes:

The only annoying thing here is Navigon's price is about to go up by Aug 15, TomTom is being so tight-lipped about their price and release, while CoPilot who just recently entered the competition doesn't have a US version - all makes a prospect consumer so agitated (or me only I guess)

[ramzez]

I've used Copilot fairly extensively over the past couple of days, and to be honest, it's buggy, ugly, lacking in useability and not even close in terms of reliability compared to Navigon which I also own. It has been constantly giving me dodgy directions, taking much longer than Navigon to recalculate a route, and displaying glitchy, screwy (for want of a better word) graphics.

I really wanted to like this app, but I don't like the map display, the contacts list - what is with that?! The menu navigation is hardly intuitive, the route navigation is far from smooth, much more jittery than Navigon.

Bugs I've noticed include:

• a totally screwed up lane assist view, as if two images are overlayed over each other
• when stationary the location indicator is huge and for some reason the 3D display focuses a few miles away, with my location off in the distance somewhere
• when changing between landscape & portrait view it takes a good few seconds to readjust the image making it look really stretched
• when the lane assist view closes it goes back to the map, but a few hundred yard from my actual location before readjusting
• iPod music volume doesn't lower when the VoiceOver comes on, and there's no volume setting for the voice, and it's too loud when my music is at a good volume
• GPS accuracy is not good, telling me to exit the motorway left in 1 mile when the road sign I pass tells me the exit is in 0.5 miles
• 2D map scrolling is way too sensitive, making it very annoying when panning around a 2D map
• sometimes when going from 3D to 2D maps, the map centers on the most south-west point of the Europe map, even though this is the UK version
• road names sometimes get overlayed over each other making them unreadable.

OK it has some features that Navigon doesn't have, weather, more voices, I dunno, I think there's a few others, but without basic functionalit and reliability, I can't compare it. Navigon is far superior in my experiences, more reliable, accurate, smoother route navigation, more intuitive menu navigation, much nicer UI and map graphics. Navigon is not perfect, but it's a solid app and does what it says on the tin.

I know most people don't appear to have had these issues, and the majority are happy, but these are my opinions of it, and I have found it to be more of a beta release and something ready for sale.

And yes, I've tried uninstalling/reinstalling/rebooting etc.

My findings so far, trying to set the volume before starting to play music looks like working. Also in settings there is an option when to say turn instructions, i have put it to 8 seconds.

[trihard]

No one has yet to confirm that the speech includes street names. For those of you who have it and posted reviews, can you please confirm: Does it say "Turn right ahead" or does it say "Turn right on ACTUAL STREET NAME road ahead"?

[odelay]

No one has yet to confirm that the speech includes street names. For those of you who have it and posted reviews, can you please confirm: Does it say "Turn right ahead" or does it say "Turn right on ACTUAL STREET NAME road ahead"?

No it doesn't. No TBT apps that I'm aware of have this feature yet, but most if not all have indicated it will be available in a future update.

[Tunnelrunner]

No it doesn't. No TBT apps that I'm aware of have this feature yet, but most if not all have indicated it will be available in a future update.

As far as I know, the only 2 TBT apps with full-blown text to speech (right now) are AT&T Navigator/Telenav and Gokivo. Oddly enough, they're also the only 2 monthly fee/live-stream GPS apps...

[tivoboy]

I THINK we are going to see the NA version soon! Here's hoping it comes out before my trip next week!!!

Come on ALK!!!

yep, it's out now! nice!

[Rayfire]

I THINK we are going to see the NA version soon! Here's hoping it comes out before my trip next week!!!

Come on ALK!!!

yep, it's out now! nice!

And it is out, I want to hear some feedback about the North American version as well.

[Phil Lee]

And it is out, I want to hear some feedback about the North American version as well.

At £20.99 it is extremely cheap to buy here in the UK.

[LostLogik]

Originally Posted by Rayfire
And it is out, I want to hear some feedback about the North American version as well.
At £20.99 it is extremely cheap to buy here in the UK.

Living in the UK, they could give it away & I still wouldn't find a use for it ;)