Streets and Trips 2010 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I've used MS S&T since it was initially offered (pre-affordable GPS) and gradually watched it decline in usefulness as the net and technologies evolve. With this current version, even with the few improvements over the 2009 version, I wouldn't recommend it at all to a new user and only would recommend it as an upgrade if your version is more than 2 years old (unless you can find it for less than twenty bucks).
While netbooks (and to some extent the new generation of energy efficient processors just coming out this Xmas) have extended the life of this product, it is just not as functional while traveling as a good GPS unit. I still use it for planning, but more and more I find other online mapping tools more useful as wifi becomes more ubiquitous and 4G broadband adds coverage. The maps are not updated (I find major local errors still uncorrected after 4 years here in Ohio and on a trip to California, numerous serious flaws in Sacramento, the Napa Valley, and the Sonoma Valley - not to mention an abrupt loss of functionality along the way).
I like (and have) the GPS version while on the road at night (using the night map) and also use it while traveling to find side trips of interest (one thing not a strong point of auto GPS devices). But our Garmin GPS is much stronger for routing and seems to have a much better POI dataset. In fact, the online mapping services also have better POI info and MS S&T is unlikely to improve unless it is integrated with Bing or something.
Overall, licensing restrictions (1 machine - should be at least 2 including a laptop/netbook), lack of adequate data revision/updating, and the availability of cheaper GPS units and wifi, I'd say - give this one a pass unless you have a very compelling reason to use it.
Edit 7/12/2010 - Somehow I got the licensing wrong, actually S&T DOES allow 2 installs. My bad.


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Microsoft Streets & Trips makes trip planning easy, so you can relax and drive with confidence. Whether you are traveling across country or across town, Streets & Trips has the easy-to-use tools to help you get there. Streets & Trips requires no Internet connection and includes more than 1.7 million points of interest to choose from--plus additional listings that you can view when you're connected to the Web. The perfect trip is at your fingertips.


Product Features
Includes updated street level maps for U.S. and Canada
New--Send your route to your GPS device
Calculate fuel usage and costs before you leave
New--Share trip details or itineraries with friends and family
Get free construction updates to avoid potential delays
New--Save time by setting your map to always start at a particular location
Personalize your maps with comments, phone numbers and notes for planned stops
New--Easily delete or hide groups of pushpins
Find special savings in restaurants, hotels and events with Entertainment Online trial offer
Improved--Choose specific roads to use on your trip just by dragging and dropping the route
Include multiple destinations and stops to refuel
Improved--Comes with more than 1.7 million points of interest including post offices, pharmacies and more
GPS Ready--connect your GPS device to your laptop to get spoken directions including street names, automatic re-routing and large on-screen directions
Improved--Streets & Trips now includes more than 300 unique pushpin images to choose from

Microsoft Streets & Trips makes trip planning easy. Accurate maps and route-planning options help you get nearly anywhere in the United States and Canada. Customizable features let you plot your course down to the last detail. Once you've planned your trip, you can send your route to your GPS device for navigation on the go.
A Great GPS Companion Streets & Trips is a great companion to GPS devices. Use Streets & Trips to plan the perfect trip, including multiple stops, points-of-interest, and start and stop times. Then export the route to a personal navigation device for easy navigation along the way.
No DVD Drive? No Problem! If your computer doesn't have a CD or DVD drive, you may still purchase Streets & Trips. Find out more at www.microsoft.com/activate today.
Calculate your mileage, trip costs and arrival time before you leave. This is a great planning tool, especially for comparing different routes you're considering.
More than 1.7 million ideas for stops along the way! Looking for an Italian restaurant in Des Moines? A hotel in Vancouver? Streets & Trips comes with detailed information on over 1.7 million locations--ATMs, hotels, restaurants, post offices, pharmacies, gas stations and other points of interest. No Internet connection required.
Comparison to online mapping Streets & Trips delivers a mapping solution that offers much more than online mapping solutions. It doesn't require an Internet connection to use, and there are no distracting ads. You also get options to customize your trips by start and stop times, driving speeds, or even road types.
Access street-level maps and personalized directions. Updated street-level maps and turn-by-turn directions make it easy to stay on track. You can also add personal notes to your maps. With addresses, phone numbers and other notes alongside your planned stops, you'll have all the information you need in one handy place.
Spoken street names and automatic re-routing. With a GPS receiver, Street & Trips can provide spoken directions and street names as you drive. It can also put you back on track if you make a wrong turn!

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