While many of you opt for Nokia’s free HERE Drive, which just received a nice update this morning, some of us opt for more powerful apps like CoPilot from ALK Technologies. Put simply, third party apps may cost money, but they often feature more options and tech that make it worthy for the true road warrior. CoPilot for Windows Phone 8 arrived back in June and maintains a healthy 4 out of 5 stars on the Store for reviews.
This morning, version 9.5 has gone live in the Store and brings along with it a host of new features. We of course have the full scoop of all the changes, so read on if you’re curious.
CoPilot version 9.5.0.408 changes and new features
- Motion Lock
- Improved in-app search to more easily find places near a destination
- Highway exit numbers are now displayed on the map, giving drivers clearer guidance
- Two striking new 3D and 2D map guidance styles
Motion Lock is CoPilot’s new feature that basically locks the app from screen manipulation during driving. Users set the speed at which they would like to enable it, like five, 10, 15 or 20 miles per hour, and then once engaged, the screen can’t be touched. The point of this is to keep drivers focused on the road instead of tapping their displays while driving at hazardous speeds. From David Quin, head of consumer applications at ALK Technologies:
“Adjusting your GPS system while driving can be distracting, so we are introducing Motion Lock to reduce driver interaction while on the move…Together with CoPilot’s clear map displays, accurate turn-by-turn voice guidance and fast automatic rerouting, Motion Lock helps drivers stay focused on the road while CoPilot directs them to their destination.”
It’s a neat feature and 100% optional. Seeing as “At any given daylight moment across America, approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving”, having the optional but useful Motion Lock could go some way to curbing dangerous driver behavior.
The rest of the changes for version 9.5 also look fantastic to making the CoPilot app that much better--indeed it's one of our top recommended GPS navigation apps.
CoPilot GPS is the freemium edition of CoPilot, and it can be download here in the Store for no cost. Users wanting to unlock voice navigation and advanced features can optionally use a one-time in-app purchase to enable.
