Delorme Releases StreetAtlas USA 2007

DeLorme has released their new Delorme Street Atlas 2007 with some very nice features to talk about. Perennially a strong mapping software, the Street Atlas 2007 is a great companion to your GPS to help you plan trips and navigate. I know a lot of people who use a laptop to navigate on long trips with this software, and I myself have used the software to plan weeklong bike trips and downloaded the routes onto my Garmin eTrex for the daily rides. Street Atlas USA 2007 comes out with aerial images and expanded support for handheld devices, including PDAs, phones and portable media players. If that wasn’t enough, it also includes over 3.5 million new or revised roads in the U.S. plus, for the first time from DeLorme, the addition of street-level detail and places of interest for Canada.

The Innovation Leader
With the Street Atlas USA 2007 launch, DeLorme has strengthened its position as the leader in digital mapping technology. The Maine-based company has been first to market with nearly every important innovation in this market segment, including support for handheld electronic devices. “The handheld market is growing exponentially,” said DeLorme Vice President Jim Skillings. “With the proliferation of iPods and other portable media players, it made perfect sense for us to deliver downloadable static maps and aerial images for those devices.” [Aside: I’m telling you that there needs to be a GPS and iPod mash-up here sometime soon. I think Apple can do it.]

Street Atlas USA 2007 also includes a handheld mapping application that supports many PDAs and phones running recent Palm OS or Windows Mobile operating systems. In previous editions, this handheld application was sold separately—in Street Atlas USA 2007, it is included as an added value.
“Now, Street Atlas USA 2007 maps can be used on practically any screen-based device,” said Skillings. “This level of versatility—for desktops, laptops, handheld devices, and portable media players—is truly a unique proposition, especially for a suggested retail price of only $39.95." [This is the entire software package price – not just the PDA version which has been folded into the main product.]

Extensively Updated and Expanded Data
The scope of updated and expanded data available with this new release is remarkable. There are over 133,000 added U.S. streets and roads and another 3.4 million have been revised for improved positional accuracy, which is essential when navigating with GPS. Users can now access and use aerial photos and satellite images for the U.S. Unlike online imagery, it’s possible to route and GPS track on DeLorme aerial images. In addition, the program’s draw tools can be used to label landmarks, structures, or other features. Registered users will be eligible to download nearly 100 square miles worth of aerial images—a $40 value—at no charge. Previous editions of Street Atlas USA included major Canadian roads but now, users can navigate and route on street-level detail throughout Canada. Over 220,000 Canadian streets have been added, along with nearly 327,000 places of interest.

Advanced Capabilities in Street Atlas USA 2007 Plus DVD
This launch actually debuts two products—Street Atlas USA 2007 and Delorme Street Atlas 2007 Plus DVD . The former is aimed at the broader consumer market, while the Plus version targets businesses and advanced users.

Street Atlas USA 2007 Plus DVD includes all the previously-described data and capabilities. Plus users can also import, edit, and geo-locate an unlimited number of entries from their database., They can also access 120 million residential and business phone listings for the U.S. and—for the first timeØCanada as well (120 million listings in all, for both countries). In addition, Street Atlas USA 2007 Plus enables the linking of photos, documents, and Web URLs to on-screen maps, and large-format map printing on plotters.

Still the Leader in GPS Navigation
The GPS navigation capabilities of Street Atlas USA 2007 and Street Atlas USA 2007 Plus DVD are as impressive as ever. Both products deliver GPS voice guidance on compatible laptops, PDAs, and phones (when used with a GPS receiver). The two Street Atlas USA 2007 titles stand apart from comparably-priced systems in announcing street names and exit numbers as part of the GPS voice directions, not just generic “turn right” and “turn left” instructions. Other features include GPS Radar, to continuously scout ahead for upcoming places of interest from your real-time GPS position. I have to say that this is a great feature, It allows you to set up a RADAR for let’s say a place to eat as you are traveling down the highway and the thing picks up restaurant names for you to consider that are along the route. The Product also includes automatic back-on-track routing, when detours or unplanned side trips take you off your established route; and high-contrast screen settings, to overcome glare conditions.

Faster Data Updates
Unlike other mapping software publishers and online mapping sites, DeLorme controls its own data. Because there are no contractual constraints, DeLorme can receive user-submitted data revision information, quickly research it, and add it to the next software edition.

Pricing
Both versions represent exceptional values. Delorme Street Atlas 2007 has a suggested retail price of just $39.95, while Delorme Street Atlas 2007 Plus DVD has a target price of only $59.95. Both are available on DVD-ROM, with Street Atlas USA 2007 also available on a multiple-CD set.

September 8, 2006

Delorme Releases StreetAtlas USA 2007