Hello Everyone, 

In this article, I review a recent podcast produced by Mike Arrigo comparing Mobile Geo and Way Finder Access, two GPS navigation software solutions for the blind and low vision. 

I will demonstrate that, despite Mr. Arrigo’s claim stated near the beginning of his approximately 58 minute audio presentation, that he believes these two products to be comparable in quality his subsequent comments make it abrasively clear that he is biased against the Windows Mobile operating system and Mobile Geo in favor of the Symbian operating system and Way Finder Access. 

NOTE 1:
I wish to make it clear that, to be best of my knowledge, I have never met nor in any way communicated with Mike Arrigo. 

NOTE 2:
This document is a review of Mr. Arrigo’s podcast in which he compares Mobile Geo and Way Finder Access, only.  It is not intended to sell, persuade, or in anyway influence the purchasing decision of those seeking a GPS navigation software solution for the blind or low vision. 

NOTE 3:
The opinions expressed in this document are mine and mine, alone; and in no way reflect the opinions of Code Factory or any of its affiliates, employees, or customers.

NOTE 4:
Each of my comments will be preceded by a timestamp.  For example 07:31 means that I am referring to comments made by Mr. Arrigo at approximately 7 minutes and 31 seconds into the podcast.  The timestamps are not relative.  That is, each timestamp is measured from the beginning of the show.

Click Here to listen/download Mike Arrigo’s review of Mobile Geo and Way Finder Access.

02:52
Mr. Arrigo describes how the two programs differ in how they store map data.  Mobile Geo uses maps that are stored on the actual device itself.  While Way Finder Access can also store data on a local device, generally it uses data that is sent via cell connection to the phone.  While his description is accurate, he draws the conclusion that loss of a data signal, necessary to use Way Finder Access, in his opinion, is virtually unheard of.

I do not know where Mr. Arrigo lives but I can tell you that as a resident of southern California which happens to be one of the most wireless friendly locations in the United States, one can easily lose a cell signal depending upon the circumstances.  I say this as both a GSM and CDMA wireless customer.

As a legally blind person, I am not willing to run the risk of losing map information when navigating in unfamiliar locations, not even for a second.  As far as I am concerned, the unnecessary risk of becoming lost, is much too great. 

Consequently, I prefer a system with the highest level of map data integrity; maps stored on the actual wireless device, itself. 

05:15
Here, Mr. Arrigo states that he thinks both applications are equal in quality.

06:40
Mr. Arrigo states that the Symbian operating system is more stable than Windows Mobile.  As a person who has used both platforms, I fervently disagree with his conclusion.
Symbian users enjoy boasting about how much longer they can keep their phones powered on, continuously, compared to Windows Mobile devices without experiencing any kind of freeze-up.  If this is true, it is only during those periods when the devices are completely idle.  When in use, however, well, that is a different story.

If Mr. Arrigo truly wishes to appear neutral in his evaluation of the products, he should limit himself to discussing the GPS applications in question, not the operating systems upon which they run. 

06:58
Clearly going beyond the scope of his stated objective, Mr. Arrigo discusses mobile web browsing in an attempt to convince listeners of Symbian’s superiority. 

08:00
With regard to user centered licensing, he says, “There really is no advantage to getting a Windows Mobile phone.”  Mr. Arrigo, I would argue, with regard to user centered licensing, that there really is no advantage to getting a Symbian phone, either.  A matter of perspective? of course. 

08:25
Again, going beyond the scope of his subject, he states that he prefers GSM (which he has already shamelessly tied to Symbian, neglecting to mention that Windows Mobile devices run on the GSM network as well) to CDMA because GSM phones have account information stored on a SIM card which, in most instances, can be transferred from one phone to another.

It is interesting to note, however, that no where does he state that, at this time, the CDMA network is more stable and, in effect, faster than GSM.  Further, he does not mention that the two major CDMA providers, Verizon Wireless and SprintPCS now allow customers to move their account from phone to phone by using a new automated system.  An oversight?  I think not.

08:45
Ignoring the substantially lower cost of subsidized phones, here, he strongly recommends that shoppers purchase unbranded and unlocked phones.

I am trying to be kind but, frankly, I think this one of the most ridiculous suggestions I’ve heard in the past two years.  Perhaps Mr. Arrigo is unaware that GSM wireless providers will now provide a phone’s unlock code immediately upon request.

I have purchased countless GSM devices and, within ten minutes of making the request, I received the unlock code either via telephone callback or email. 

09:52
He lists the prices of the two GPS packages.  It is interesting to note that he lists the cost of Geo before Access. I would suggest that, given the somewhat substantial difference between the two solutions, it would have been better to wait until the end of the demonstration before doing so.  This would have allowed him to list all of the features of Mobile Geo that are not found in Way Finder Access thus demonstrating that although Mobile Geo cost more, it has substantially more to offer.

11:00
Although he lists the devices he will be using during his comparison, he conveniently neglects to list their respective system specifications. 

Allow me to do so, here:

In this demonstration:
Way Finder Access is running on a Nokia 6120 Classic Smartphone with the latest release of the Symbian operating system. 
CPU Speed:  369 MHz.

Mobile Geo is running on an i-mate SP5m Smartphone with Windows Mobile 5.0.  It’s interesting to note that WM5.0 is two generations behind the latest version of Windows Mobile.
CPU Speed:  200MHz.

So, even before his demonstration begins, we already know that the results are skewed in favor of the Symbian based Way Finder Access in terms of CPU power.

13:08
Way Finder describes GPS quality in terms of percentage while Mobile Geo give a more realistic description of the GPS quality in terms of number of feet and the number of satellites being tracked. 

Although Mr. Arrigo quickly acknowledges Mobile Geo’s more user friendly feedback, he does not draw any negative conclusions against Way Finder.

13:25
While Mr. Arrigo states that Mobile Geo is using the Dectalk text-to-speech voice synthesizer and Way Finder is using Eloquence, he does not mention that Mobile Geo owners can choose any one of a number of higher quality synthesizers to use with Mobile Geo instead of Dectalk, at no additional cost.

14:45
When demonstrating the “Where Am I” feature in both products, Mr. Arrigo, with an almost disgusted quality in his voice, states that Geo is more verbose than Way Finder because it lists (apparently needlessly) the closest address to the current GPS position in its response.

He states that he does not see any value for such information unless someone is actually looking for a specific address.  While he is certainly entitled to his opinion, I, for one, prefer more information than less if for no other reason but that it adds yet another layer of navigation accuracy.  (The nerve of Geo, actually reading the closest address when someone initiates the “Where Am I” feature. 

16:25
When describing how each product provides directions, Mr. Arrigo suggests that Geo’s very natural and intuitive method, “ahead, turn left, turn right”, is no better than Way Finder’s compass directions.  In fact, he says that anyone who travels should know compass directions.

Mobile Geo does not require that a person familiarize him/herself with compass directions but, rather, provides clear, easy-to-understand, and easy-to-follow instructions. 

22:18
Although Mr. Arrigo acknowledges that, in Pedestrian Mode, Mobile Geo automatically announces turns correctly, he quickly adds that while Way Finder does not automatically announce turns, one can find the information manually.

Even when it is clear that Geo is superior by offering this feature, Mr. Arrigo concludes with nothing less than a positive comment about Way Finder.

28:50
Mr. Arrigo states that Way Finder is much faster at conducting Point of Interest searches.  While this may or may not be true, comparing two different GPS software products on two very different hardware devices, as described above, one being virtually twice as fast as the other, is not exactly what I would call a fair test.

41:30
Mr. Arrigo states that Mobile Geo is sluggish in responding to key presses when compared to Way Finder Access.  Might it have something to do with the fact that Way finder is running on a newer operating system and on a device that is virtually twice as fast as its rival? 

Hmm!  Let’s think about that, shall we?

52:25
At this point, Mr. Arrigo makes it very clear how Mobile Geo does not indicate that he has arrived at his destination.  To paraphrase Mr. Arrigo, for the amount of money one must pay for Geo, it should perform better.

While his conclusion, if valid, cannot be argued, I wonder why he does not condemn Way Finder for inaccurately reporting location distances just a short time earlier.

Continuing his praise of Way Finder, he concludes that, even though it initially reported inaccurate distances, eventually, it corrected itself. 

I submit that perhaps if Mr. Arrigo had continued on his walk, Mobile Geo may have corrected itself as well.  We will never know. 

53:25
Mr. Arrigo concludes that entering addresses into Geo is more “cluttered” than when entering them into Way Finder Access.  Again, this is a matter of opinion, but Mr. Arrigo began his podcast stating that he believes both products to be virtually equal. 

54:25
In this final portion of his demonstration, Mr. Arrigo’s bias against Mobile Geo is so utterly blatant that it borders on bad taste.

You don’t have to listen too carefully to hear Mr. Arrigo complain about the purchase price of Mobile Geo to that of Way Finder Access. 
Next he dismisses the added information automatically provided by Mobile Geo as being too much or, to put it in the vernacular, overkill.  

Adding to his relentless attack of Mobile Geo, he states that anyone who cannot follow basic compass directions should choose Mobile Geo for its simplistic instructions.

Wow! 

In conclusion, while I appreciate the time and effort Mr. Arrigo invested in producing a technically high quality audio production, I most certainly do not appreciate his evaluative inconsistencies.

ONE FINAL NOTE
Even if we are to give Mr. Arrigo the benefit of the doubt with regard to his obvious predisposition towards Way Finder Access, we cannot forgive his failure to discuss (or for that matter even mention) Mobile Geo’s powerful new features including its ability to take advantage of touch-screen devices and its 100% compatibility with Microsoft Voice Command.

Below are 20 reasons why I think Mobile Geo is the best GPS navigation solution for the blind and low vision.
1.
GEO IS BACKED BY THE BEST
Based on the revolutionary technology of the Sendero Group, makers of innovative refreshable Braille navigation products such as the BrailleNote GPS, Mobile Geo is the first, best software GPS solution, for the blind and low vision that can be installed on mainstream mobile phones and wireless devices.

2.
GEO WILL LOOK FOR YOU
When you’re on the move with Mobile Geo, be it at either 1 mile per hour or 101 miles per hour, relax while Geo automatically announces upcoming intersections, points of interests, city names and so much more; all through the comfort and convenience of your mobile phone.  Want privacy?  No problem, simply attach your favorite wired or Bluetooth headset to your phone and “You’re Ready to Rumble.”

3.
GEO GIVES YOU VIRTUAL REALITY
Want to experience a real virtual reality?  With the combined power and technical resources of Code Factory and Sendero, use Mobile Geo to explore your world without ever leaving home.  That’s right!  Geo lets you preview a route or visit a distant city, including its points of interests, with the virtual flick of a real switch.

4.
GEO’S GOT YOUR BACK
Ground, that is.  Seamlessly slide Geo to the background when you want to make or answer a telephone call, send text messages, read emails, surf the web, whatever and whenever you want and Geo will continue to provide “LookAround” announcements.

5.
GEO LISTENS TO YOU
Mobile Geo is the first and only world-class GPS navigation software solution for the blind and low vision that is 100% compatible with Microsoft Voice Command, a voice interface solution that allows you to issue commands by merely speaking them into the phone.  So, the next time you find yourself walking up the boulevard or rolling down the street ask Geo and it will tell you where you are, the distance to the next intersection or what turn you should make next.  Don’t worry, even when you’re exploring your world in Virtual Mode, Geo can still hear you and will respond to your commands.  It just doesn’t get any better than this.

6.
GEO’S HOT
Feel the heat of Mobile Geo one-touch Hotkey commands; just tap a key and enjoy Geo’s lightning-fast reply, telling you everything you want to know.

7.
GEO’S GOT VIBES
Not only will Geo navigate, listen, and reply with speech and audio feedback, it will also shake you up.  Geo will move your body as it tells you how to move through your world with its innovative Morse Code based vibratory feedback alert system.  Deaf-blind travelers will find this feature especially useful.

8.
GEO’S GOT POI POWER
Looking for a particular point of interest?  With Mobile Geo, you have the world’s most powerful POI and intuitive mobile search engine at your fingertips.  With the introduction of Code Factory’s Slipstream Search Technology, Mobile Geo is the one and only GPS mobile software solution that, in addition to the traditional search criteria such as name, street, City, and web address, allows you to search for points of interests in a specific direction of travel.

9.
GEO IS INDEPENDENT
With Mobile Geo, no data plan? No problem.  Because all of Mobile Geo’s active mapping and POI information is stored directly on your mobile phone,  there is absolutely no need to pay for a wireless provider data plan.  When you’ve got Geo, you’ve got all you need.

10.
GEO WILL MOVE WHEN YOU WANT IT TO
Code Factory has implemented its world-renowned User Centered Licensing policy into Mobile Geo.  So, when you’re ready to move to another mobile phone or wireless device, Geo will move with you, for free.

11.
GEO KEEPS COUNT FOR YOU
With its onboard pedometer, Mobile Geo will count your every step or the distance you travel, so you don’t have to.

12.
GEO WILL CONTACT YOU
With the new Mobile Geo Contact interface, not only can you lookup and call those listed in your phone’s Contacts List, but you can also set the Contact’s address as a destination or virtual position.

13.
GEO LETS YOU DABBLE WITH THE DETAILS
When you open a POI’s Details Screen, Mobile Geo lets you act on its information such as dialing its telephone number, sending an email, or browsing to it’s web page.

14.
GEO KEEPS YOU WARM
Engage Mobile Geo’s “Getting Warmer” function to gauge the remaining distance and direction-heading to a specific destination or street.

15.
GEO LETS YOU SET THE STANDARD
Mobile Geo lets you set your preferred Settings like never before.  Quickly and easily modify the look and feel of your Mobile Geo experience by customizing everything from Sounds and Vibrations to adjusting the announcement distance for Approach and Arrival.

16.
GEO REMEMBERS YOUR HISTORY
Avoid missing important navigation alerts because of ambient noise, SMS notifications, Calendar Reminders, or incoming telephone calls by using Mobile Geo’s “Announcement History” feature.  Engaging this robust navigation tool insures that you will never again miss a step, turn, or route instruction as you travel from place-to-place.

17.
GEO LETS YOU SWITCH
Because Mobile Geo is a Windows Mobile application, you can switch between the two wireless signal networks, GSM and CDMA.  Note that in the USA, AT&T Wireless and T-Mobile are the major GSM wireless providers while Verizon Wireless and Sprint PCS are the major CDMA wireless providers.

18.
GEO LETS YOU BUY IT AS A BUNDLE
With Mobile Geo, you can purchase maps for 15  European countries, as a map bundle, for only 50 USD.  For more information, visit:
http://www.senderogroup.com/shopmgeo.htm

19.
GEO LETS YOU TRY A TRIAL
Want to test-drive Mobile Geo?  It’s so easy!  Simply follow the instructions at:
http://www.codefactory.es/additional_docs/en/MG/MG_get_a_trial.html

20.
GEO’S WAITING FOR YOU
Purchasing Mobile Geo is only the first step in becoming a member of Team Geo.  Code Factory is the only accessible Mobile GPS navigation software developer committed to cultivating a world-class, real-life, on-demand customer-based support system.  When you’re ready, apply to become a Mobile Geo Beta Tester, an Email ListServe contributor or even a Mobile Geo script developer.  Team Geo is right here, waiting for you.

Most Sincerely,

Mark