Mapopolis 4.37 is out

01-31-04, 12:00 AM

Mapopolis has released version 4.37 with some new features. Saw it in a thread at GPS Passion.com: http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/t...?TOPIC_ID=6522
New voice prompts, new hardware button options, and probably some other enhancements:

From the release notes posted at gpspassion.com:
4.37 30 January 2004

* Implements quick find of PIOs. This function appears under "Tools -> Find -> All Places by Type." If GPS is active, the search origin is set to the GPS position. Tapping the PIO icon brings up "Route there."

* Adds "Route To" in the Pop-up menu which appears when tapping and holding the information box for an item on the map.

* Adds checkbox under Navigation Options to suppress "Next" prompt.

* Implements "GPS port not available" notification message if the GPS port cannot be opened

* When using Route To or Route There, if no address is specified as the beginning point, the current GPS position is the default (with no need to return to the navigation screen).

* Implements pSpeak text to speech synthesis for directions.

01-31-04, 09:28 AM

Good deal!

I'll have to try this out right away.

01-31-04, 09:54 AM

I've been playing it a little bit, and the new features are very nice.
The "Find-All Places by Type" is quick and easy, there will be a check mark next to the appropriate category if there's one within the radius you choose, and clicking on that icon will return you to the map, with an icon on the map showing the location. Maybe now I'll buy the Place Guides as this new feature will make it very easy to quickly locate anything you're looking for.
The new voice prompts now will announce the street name (not sure if this works w/GPS yet, jut been using indoors for now). You can assign a new "Voice Info" to a hardware button which will provide current time, eta, speed, altitude, heading.location. and next turn; each of these can be turned on/off.
There's also some new events to assign sounds to, First Turn Notice and Turn coming at Next Street.
There's also a new option in the Map setting, Show GPS Trail (I think it's new, don't remember seeing it before.
I've been used to seeing Mapopolis releasing updates almost on a monthly basis and was wondering if there would be any more for version 4, now I realize they've been very busy adding some very nice goodies, and it was worth the wait:)
Anyway, I'm going skiing tonight and will be using Mapopolis to guide me on my journey; I'll report back on the new features when I return.

Magicmonger · 01-31-04, 11:47 AM

Thanks for the information.

spoon · 01-31-04, 02:21 PM

Leaving Tuesday for Miami - do I dare try an upgrade with no time to fix a screw up -----------ok I`ll wait till I get back for the new features

themeecer · 01-31-04, 02:58 PM

Wuss!! Go ahead and upgrade. Hehe Actually you can have two different installs of it on your axim. That is if you have the room. I think you will be highly pleased with the new version. Takes a few minutes to get used to the robot voice, but it actually is more clear and consistant than the original voices. Once you get used to the street names being called out you will wonder how you ever got along before hand.

Stoney · 01-31-04, 03:05 PM

If you think you'll be interested in upgrading to the ND maps, please don't purchase the Place Guides. Hang on a while, because the POIs are going to be included in the new version as part of the maps.

We anticipate we'll have the release ready within the week, but any number of things can delay an introduction.

Lamar @ mapopolis support

ctiger · 01-31-04, 04:46 PM

Thanks for the heads up on the new version. Has some good improvements. Just have to get use to the new voice. Have been using Simone's voice for some time.

Ct

garryknight · 01-31-04, 06:28 PM

I was hoping they'd implemented my suggestion to choose to ignore one-way systems, for those of us who use the map while walking. We do that quite a bit over here in the UK. :) Oh well, maybe in a future update.

Also, the GBR_LONDON maps need to be updated. One route I planned took me along the east side of Trafalgar Square. That's fine when I'm walking, but it's now a no-go area for cars and has been for some months.

suemccartin · 01-31-04, 07:30 PM

I tried out 4.37 today going someplace with my gps unit. I like it, but at least on my axim the default voice is totally unintelligible over the X5 built-in speaker over normal background noise in my vehicle (and yes the radio is off)(I just plain don't hear low frequencies very well, I prefer higher pitches--as in female voices). I found some replacement female voice files on gpspassion.com but I can't seem to make them work. The instructions say to put it in the mapopolis folder which I've done over and over and still no go. I think they've really made a number of improvements and it's overall faster and more responsive too, now if I can just get past the voice file issue I'm a happy camper. (yeah I know I can probably fix this by buying one of those doodads that transmits over the stereo but that won't help me when I'm using it handheld).

Stoney · 01-31-04, 08:34 PM

Hi, Sue,

To implement text to voice, we have to use a "canned" library, and this means that the other voices won't work with it right now.

We've asked for this option, but haven't gotten an answer yet.

If it's important that you have the female voice, let me know at the work address, and I'll send you 4.33 if you don't still have it.

Lamar @ mapopolis support

suemccartin · 01-31-04, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Stoney
Hi, Sue,

To implement text to voice, we have to use a "canned" library, and this means that the other voices won't work with it right now.

We've asked for this option, but haven't gotten an answer yet.

If it's important that you have the female voice, let me know at the work address, and I'll send you 4.33 if you don't still have it.

Lamar @ mapopolis support

Thanks Lamar, well that answers that, glad I'm not as dumb as I was starting to feel!!! I'll just get the FM transmitter doodad and live with it in the car till you get the voice thing sorted out, I like the new one too much to go back to 4.33--WOW what a difference on my x5 anyhow. The voice in 4.33 was great, if you can suggest they make up one with that voice for 4.37 that one was thoroughly understandable over the x5's built in speaker.

01-31-04, 11:25 PM

OK, I've tried it and like it, but needed time to get used to the new voice; however, if you increase the speed of the speech, it does get a little better, I have it set at the 4th line from the right.
I've also assigned a hardware button to the Voice Status Update and it work well, again need to get accustomed to the synthesized voice.
Overall, very impressed with the new release, and if the ND version of the maps has POI and the software has the features of version 4, I may take the plunge and upgrade, but I'll probably test a couple of demo maps 1st, just as I did before upgrading from v3 to 4.

01-31-04, 11:32 PM

I guess its a good thing I still have a few months on my update subscription to Mapopolis maps. I am looking forward to the new release the Lamar mentioned when it comes out.

willo · 02-01-04, 04:05 AM

Just can't get on with that voice, anyone got a link to the previous release please. I'd prefer to have the option to switch between human voice/robot.