Windows Phone Thoughts: Raising the Ante - the Pharos GPS Phone 600 Reviewed

Live Search


Figure 38: Live from Milwaukee... it's POIs Galore!

Pharos has bundled Microsoft's Live Search application with the 600, and it seems to be a useful add-on to the navigation software. It provides a rich set of categories and POIs with the ability to give directions and display maps. This is similar to online map services, but with the added advantage of being able to give you real-time directions by using the GPS.


Figure 39: I knew there was a hospital closer than 14 miles away!

I was pleased to see that Live Search could find both of my missing hospitals and my missing mall.


Figure 40: Lots of places for sporting activities in Mad-town.

When you pull up a category for even a medium-sized city, the list of POIs seems extensive.


Figure 41: Nice maps, especially for a free service...

Directions can be displayed in either a list of instructions or a map. The routing in Live Search seemed to be quite competent. But it works more like a mobile version of MapQuest rather than a full-fledged navigation program such as Ostia. You use the list to go from instruction to instruction, rather than the program tracking you as you travel. There are no moving maps, voice prompts, auto-rerouting and other features that are offered in most navigation programs. The GPS connection allows the routing to create a route from your current position and it also permits listing nearby POIs. Since the POI list in Live Search is so robust, it compensates somewhat for the relatively weak POI functionality in Ostia.

One thing to keep in mind is that Live Search doesn't store any maps on your device... it downloads maps using your data connection as they're needed. The up side to this is that you don't really have to worry about map updates... you always have the latest version available. The down side is that there is sometimes a lag in downloading the maps, which can be a bit of a problem especially when you're reviewing a route, which may require downloading a number of maps. Also, you'll have no map to refer to in "reception free" or low reception areas, although the instructions will remain.

So, although Live Search's routing function won't replace a program like Ostia, it's good for simple routes, and the POI functionality is great.


Figure 42: Both systems agree... there's some traffic jams in Beer City.

Live Search also provides traffic condition reports, similar to those in Smart Navigator. While it is live, it isn't linked to the GPS, it's not as detailed as the Smart Navigator display, and it doesn't have the incident feature. But since the Live Search service is free, the thicker wallet it leaves you with compared to the subscription service may make up for those shortcomings, depending on your viewpoint.