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TUAW Follow Up: CoPilot Live missing features

by Mel Martin Sep 21st 2009 at 5:00PM

Our Saturday review of CoPilot Live [iTunes Link] raised some interesting questions among users of the US$34.99 app.

TUAW reader Jeremy sent us an email this morning wondering why the Live Local Search feature of the app is now a paid feature, when it was free on the first version that was released. This clever feature used an internet connection to find nearby points of interest, even though the maps and bulk of the POI database are on the app itself. It was a great way to keep the app up to date, using a blend of static maps and info with an internet supplement.

With the latest update to the app (version 8.0.0.096) that feature is now part of a US$19.99 annual update that also adds real time traffic updates and gas price searches.

At first blush, it seems like features should not be taken away in an update. I contacted ALK, the app developer, and received a response from spokesperson Mary Kelly:

"Local Search was included in the first release of the App as a taster of this premium feature. We did not advertise it as being an included feature in our original App or at any time promote it as being included. In fact it was listed on the App description as a premium service 'coming soon'. We may offer similar trials for a limited period for other services in the future. The Live Services which we promote as 'included as standard' remain so, namely: LiveLink location sharing and Live Weather."

The company apologizes for any confusion. CoPilot Live still remains a pretty good deal for a low-end navigation service. I found quite a few map errors and omissions, but the company has set up a mechanism for people to report any problems with the accuracy of the maps.

I can understand users being upset at losing the feature, and ALK should have made it more clear that Live Local Search was just a temporary sampler of a future paid service.


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Our Saturday review of CoPilot Live [iTunes Link] raised some interesting questions among users of the US$34.99 app. TUAW reader Jeremy...
 

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Geoff Oliver

It also seems that they've changed several features from the previous version (CoPilot Live 7 which I had for my WinMo device) to "premium" features. In 7, I could get traffic, gas prices, and POIs all for free as long as I had an internet connection on my phone. I agree with JKT, that "that's dirty pool" and I definitely won't be buying CoPilot for my GPS needs on the iPhone.

September 24 2009 at 11:23 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jgolden

I just tried live local search and it worked (ver 8.0.0.401). Yesterday I found I needed live traffic updates more and since I did not need to be guided I switched to Google maps and let it tell me about rush hour traffic for free.

September 22 2009 at 10:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mike Eliss

My payment was just a taster too.

September 22 2009 at 8:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
GOBLUE

This app crashes, calculates poor routes, and on more than one occasion directed me to go the wrong way on a one way street. Between the crashes and poor routing, revoking live search should be among the least of your worries.
I've contacted them regarding a refund, but nothing other than an automated response.

September 21 2009 at 7:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to GOBLUE's comment
doug

I agree on the poor routing...I followed its route home from the office yesterday and what should have been 3 turns turned into 8 and included going through a neighborhood instead of the multi-lane roads

September 22 2009 at 7:16 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
glroze

Their support is also less than stellar. I emailed them that my copilot license number was not working and received an automated response stating they would get back to me soon................more than two weeks and several emails later there was STILL no reply. I ended up having to call them to finally get support. Not good. I guess there is a reason they are so inexpensive.

September 21 2009 at 6:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mystic

If it uses Navteq, then yes you will find a lot of map errors.

September 21 2009 at 6:03 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
LarryM

"Preview of a Premium" feature sounds like B.S. to me, honestly. And it's stupid since the App Store is flooded with Navigation Apps at the moment.

September 21 2009 at 5:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
tuaw

I certainly hope Apple will start to clamp down on 'updates' to paid products that remove features. Frankly, it's almost unbelievable that a company would stoop as low as stripping functionality from a PAID product as part of an 'upgrade', only to charge for it again.

It would be bad enough if they pulled this on a 'free' app, but on a paid one? LOSERS!

CoPilot just got knocked out of the running for the GPS app I'm buying next month.

September 21 2009 at 5:48 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Brad

A friend and I tried CoPilot Live on his iPhone driving around in Winnipeg (a city that hasn't seen road development in probably at least 10-15 years) and the number of errors and omissions in roads was absolutely pathetic. Saved me from wasting my money on this app.

September 21 2009 at 5:45 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
JKT

I don't care how they try to justify it, that's dirty pool. And it's likely to alienate users and get them bad press (like this). I was considering buying the app but now it's off my list.

September 21 2009 at 5:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
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