Here is an app that was recommended to me, so I am gladly taking a view of it. The recommendation came after I reviewed Win Maps. This app, however, is not free like that one so certainly would expect more in it. Let’s see if its worth the price.
Maps Pro – map with right-click
Like any mapping app its primary view is a map. The above combines a couple of different views available with locations of restaurants shown (more on these features later). It is very crisp and clean to view and operates as you’d expect any map to be, fairly quick when zooming in or out and moving the map around. Right-click provides all the features available: Find, which brings up the Search charm, Map Style and Overlays, of which there are several of each, POI (points of interest), My Location and Directions.
Maps Pro – customization options
You have more styles of maps on hand here than any single map I have tried. 35 different map styles in the version I am using now (it had been reduced recently due to availability issues). Not only do you get the typical aerial or bird’s-eye view but traffic and terrain style maps. I really like the variety though I venture to guess only a handful are maps you might use regularly, you can’t use them when they aren’t there and this app provides them. There are also currently 4 different overlays that can work in combination with any map style: Lines, Sharing, Labels and Transportation information. Have fun experimenting with different looks.
Maps Pro – points of interest
The primary reason this app was suggested is due to its support of Points of Interest. For me that is one of the main reasons I might use a certain Map is to know what is around for food, events, parks, etc., whatever reason for my trip might be. Win Maps provides this service but I had found fault with its accuracy. This one is not only more accurate but provides different icons to display the different services or establishments. You can select as many things as you wish to find and they will be displayed for you. A real winner here. My only criticism is the color, why orange? I suppose I’m being petty, but it just isn’t a pleasant color for me. It doesn’t take away from the usefulness, just happy to get away from it as soon as I can.
As you may have noticed in the first screenshot you can left-click on a location and it will show information about the establishments and include various pieces of information such as a “Street View” (clicking this image gets you to that view as well), website, phone number and even reviews. Information is pulled from Google Places and not provided in other Map apps in such as easy to use manner. If you right-click now you get options to get directions from or to the location plus Street View as shown below. I don’t know if I’m doing it wrong but I had the most difficult time trying to get the right-click to show. I would get the app bar more often than the right-click. I really don’t know what the trick is for it. The directions are very good, even if sometimes the line didn’t follow the road depending on which map you used. You can choose between driving, cycling and walking directions. It would be nice to see public transportation as an option.
Maps Pro – street view
Charms
Search – You can use the special icon for it or simply this charm to perform searches. The results show up quickly whether it is a street or city in whichever country you are reside in. You’ll have to change your country in the settings to search in other countries. Share – I could not get it to share directions would be the most common thing you might share. Devices – no support for printing? Much needed and missing. Settings - it has options for changing kilometers to miles and which country. Plus an FAQ section to help explain a few quirks of the app.
Snap
Everything you might do with this app can be done in the snapped view, including directions and “Street View”. I really don’t believe it is intended to be used in that mode but it does a nice job of supporting it.
Tile
Nothing special just an orange tile.
Summary
This app packs quite a lot of mapping ability in a tidy package. The points of interest, Google Places and Street View being some nice features offset by a finicky right-click and directions you cannot print. The question you have to ask yourself is if it is worth plunking down the money to use it since there are free (with ads) alternatives that nearly do the same thing. It definitely provides a lot for the money and if you use maps a lot you may find a need for the razzle dazzle. For my use, the default Bing Maps would suffice, if only because it can print.
Rating
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Category: Tools |
Download size: 1.95 MB |
Publisher: Nicollet Fabien |
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Price: $2.49 (trial available for 7 days) |
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Hello Wayne and thanks for trying it out so quickly !
There are some very good advices here on the way you want to use it, much appreciated. Printing is definately on the roadmap, i hope i can get it to work soon.
If you want, I have another app in the W8 Store, completly different, called “Clouder!”
Thanks!
Fabien
Me again,
Just to let you know that I pushed an update with print support (map, directions and street view) so it should be in store in a few days
Fabien