Dec 07/Jan/08

A thorough re-working has been given to the latest version of Destinator, the software-based satellite navigation system for PDAs. The supplier, Destinator Technologies, claims that version 7 offers faster map rendering, improved GPS performance and faster map panning to provide more seamless continuity of display.

Destinator also says it has overhauled the core routing engine to improve route-finding. Both Navteq and Tele Atlas data is used, depending on location.

Points of interest functionality now allows searching by name and area, plus a 'high level POI' search giving fast access to frequently searched categories. With a phone-connected PDA users also can call their chosen destination direct from the navigation software at the touch of an on-screen button. Another new feature is a compass module.

Destinator 7 supports premium TMC (Traffic Message Channel) services such as RAC Trafficmaster's traffic information service. TMC data is displayed as icons on detailed mapping and will automatically guide users around traffic jams.

Improved detour routing is also a key Destinator 7 feature - warning drivers of congestion ahead and suggesting multiple alternative routes as well as avoidance of gated communities, ferries and user-selected roads.

Destinator 7 includes a full 'text to speech' function which uses technology from SVOX to provide timely, clear, natural-sounding audio directions, and works down to street-name level. The software alone costs £65 plus VAT, while the full traffic alerting version costs £99 plus VAT.

* An advanced text-to-speech software system for mobile phones has been announced by SVOX. Its SVOX Pico product uses what is called a Hidden Markov Model (HMM)-based system to improve quality and response time, and is said to be ideal for applications such as navigation, location-based services, SMS, email and screen reading.