Here at CoPilot, as with many of our loyal customers, we’ve long been fans of Microsoft’s mobile platforms. Our original CoPilot GPS navigation app “Pocket CoPilot” was developed for Microsoft’s Pocket PC (back in the days when apps were called applications) and pioneered mobile navigation on Windows Mobile, so now we are delighted to announce an app for Windows Phone 8 – and Windows 8 – at Mobile World Congress 2013.

After a relatively slow start with Windows Phone 7, Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 is gaining momentum as an alternative to Android and iOS in the global battle for smartphone supremacy. With some fantastic handsets from the likes of Nokia, HTC and Samsung, an innovative and polished user experience and a robust app store, it’s also becoming an ideal platform for CoPilot too.

So we are bringing the full CoPilot voice-guided navigation experience to Windows Phone 8 handsets and Windows 8 devices, with advanced turn-by-turn guidance features, comprehensive trip planning and of course quality street maps stored on-board for offline use. There’s a full suite of real-time ‘Live’ services include ActiveTraffic™, Yelp, Wikipedia and Google Search to keep you fully informed on the road.

We are showing-off the app on a variety of Windows Phones at Mobile World Congress. The app itself will be available soon through the Windows Phone Store – more on that nearer the time.

Meantime, here’s a gallery of pictures to browse >

And here’s the full press release:

CoPilot® Brings Full-Featured GPS Navigation to Windows Phone 8

Award-winning CoPilot GPS navigation apps return to the Microsoft platform.

Mobile World Congress, Barcelona – 24nd February 2013: ALK Technologies, a leading provider of navigation and GeoLogistics™ software, is pleased to announce that its award-winning CoPilot® GPS navigation apps for smartphones and tablets will be available for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8.

CoPilot brings dependable voice-guided GPS navigation to Windows Phone 8 handsets and Windows 8 devices. Designed as an alternative to traditional in-vehicle systems, the app provides a full range of advanced turn-by-turn guidance features, comprehensive trip planning and automotive-grade street maps stored on-board the device for offline use. Integral real-time ‘Live’ services include ActiveTraffic™, Yelp, Wikipedia and Google Search to keep drivers fully informed on the road.

“We’ve always been fans of Microsoft’s mobile solutions,” said David Quin, head of consumer applications at ALK Technologies. “CoPilot was originally developed for Microsoft’s Pocket PC and pioneered mobile navigation on Windows Mobile, so we are delighted to announce a new app for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8. The Windows family of mobile devices is rapidly gaining momentum as an alternative to Android and iOS, and provides an ideal platform for us to deliver a full-featured and driver friendly CoPilot navigation experience.”

“Windows Phone is backed by a vibrant app ecosystem with a variety of quality titles, like CoPilot, which help people enjoy a smartphone that is uniquely theirs,” said Todd Brix, general manager, Windows Phone Apps, Microsoft Corp. “CoPilot is a great example of the rich applications that people can enjoy on their Windows Phones.”

CoPilot for Windows Phone 8 and Windows 8 brings a complete suite of advanced navigation features that can help make every journey easier, including:
• Clear, non-distracting 3D map views with lane arrows and signpost display
• ActiveTraffic™ calculates the fastest routes and accurate arrival times, based on live traffic flow information
• CoPilot ClearTurn™ makes navigating complex junctions easy
• On-screen speed limit indicator and excess speed warnings
• Advanced trip planning with a choice of three routes and drag-and-drop route editing
• Comprehensive local search with integrated Yelp, Wikipedia and Google
• Global map regions available to purchase and store on the device as required

More information and images available here >
See CoPilot for Windows Phone 8 during Mobile World Congress 2013 at the CoPilot stand in hall 8.1, stand F6.

Availability: CoPilot is expected to launch on the Windows Phone Store and Windows Store in summer 2013 with the following versions: ‘CoPilot Premium’ a paid app which includes turn-by-turn navigation and 12 months ActiveTraffic; ‘CoPilot GPS’ a free offline trip-planning and maps app with in-app purchase for turn-by turn navigation; and CoPilot Truck for truck-specific GPS navigation. Pricing will be in-line with existing CoPilot apps for iOS and Android.