Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010

Microsoft Streets and Trips has always been a favorite when it comes to planning trips. That doesn’t really change with Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010, although some of the updates are not all that exciting.

For those unfamiliar with Streets and Trips: in effect, it makes your netbook or laptop into a complete device for trip planning and GPS navigation. As was the case with earlier versions, Streets and Trips 2010 comes in two different forms: the software-only version, with a price tag of $40, and the software / GPS locator combo package for $70. Streets and Trips works with most NMEA 2.0-compatible GPS receivers, so if you already have a suitable receiver, you just need the software.

Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010
Microsoft Streets and Trips 2010

The newest version is not that much of an advance on the previous one. It does include updated U.S. and Canadian maps, as well as some timely additions to the lists of points of interest. The major innovation, though, is the ‘Send to GPS’ feature, and also a useful function for exporting route info in GPX format. These additions are reasonably welcome, even though they are of somewhat limited use.

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