Windows Phone Thoughts: Mitac Mio Digiwalker 168 Review

Mio Map and POI


Figure 9: Mio Map software.

Using maps effectively on such a small screen poses a definite challenge. Coupled with the likelihood that the user will be driving an automobile while trying to navigate the user interface and viewing the map makes this doubly so. The Mio Map software provides plenty of features to make it easier to use the software in a difficult scenario. The screen can be scrolled in any direction by an intuitive drag-and-drop method which avoids the use of scroll bars. A thin scroll bar down one side allows for zooming in or out, although its size did pose a challenge while driving. Fortunately, the maps can be set to autoscroll and autozoom which usually means the user will not have to manually adjust them during a trip. Most features of the software are accessed through one of three large pushbutton panels that can be popped up from the menu buttons Destinate, View and Options. These menu items are spaced well enough apart that they can be accessed easily with a finger tip, thus precluding the need for pulling out the stylus. The pushbuttons are also of a size that makes it easy to tap the correct one with only a glance.


Figure 10: Mio Map's Destinate menu.

The Destinate menu gives you several options for selecting destinations for routes. Destinations can be specified from an address, from a list of Points of Interest (which is downloaded as part of the map), from a list of previously saved Favorites, from a list of recent destinations, or from an address stored in the Contacts database.


Figure 11: Drilling into an address makes selection quicker.

Selecting addresses or POIs utilizes a drill down feature that minimizes the amount of user input that is required to specify your destination. Selecting from a Contact allows you to choose from the work address, home address, or other address stored in the database. Once the destination is selected, simply tapping Navigate generates the route from the current origin and displays the turn by turn instructions on the screen. Longer trips can be stored as a series of waypoints to navigate to in turn, and roads to be avoided can be selected as well.

Mio map also has the ability to record tracks and store them for later playback. Simply hitting record on the Play screen starts the recording process. When the destination is reached simply hit Stop. The data is stored in a file that can be replayed on the map at a later time. The speed of playback can be adjusted up to 3 times the original speed. This is a handy feature if someone is showing you how to get somewhere. You simply record the trip and you can later review all of the turns at your leisure.


Figure 12: On screen driving directions.

Driving directions are given on a turn by turn basis by on screen arrows and/or by voice prompts. The voice prompts are clear and generally give plenty of warning when they are approaching. If two turns occur in quick succession the voice prompt warns of this clearly ("left turn followed by right turn"). A nice feature of the software is that when Mio Map starts it adjusts the volume to the loudest setting which was loud enough to hear in my convertible with the top down. It also sets the backlight to the highest setting - a handy feature since the GPS is usually outside when used. Upon exiting, the software resets the volume and brightness to their original values.

If you deviate from the given route the software first tries to redirect you back on course. This usually involves a U-turn or a trip around the block. If you continue off course the software automatically recalculates the route and continues to navigate to the destination.

I had only a few problems with the driving directions, most of which could be attributed to questionable map data on the back roads where I live. What should have been a left hand turn on some "T" intersections were misinterpreted as curves, not turns, but for the most part the driving directions were correct.


Figure 13: Mio Map Options menu.

The Options menu allows the selection of which unit system to use (km/h or MPH), the type and amount of information to display on the map (latitude and longitude, velocity and altitude, ETA/ETR, and distance), the map orientation (North is up vs. forward is up) and auto-zoom feature, and whether route planning should prefer shortest routes or quickest routes, and a selection of voice prompts and visual notifications. The latter of which came in handy to turn off the constant warnings of being above the speed limit while driving 65 MPH in a 70 MPH zone. A switch to select Planner mode or Navigation Mode for Routing allows you to create routes without the software constantly shifting the map to your current location.