ViaMichelin launch V7 "New Edition" satnav softwar

MikeB

Last week Robert and I were invited to Trafalgar Square to see the latest version of ViaMichelin software in action. I was just about to publish the article when ViaMichelin call me and said don't post just yet we have some great news, a new press release will be with you soon.

Well the Press Release arrived and the price of the systems has been slashed... You can pick up a ViaMichelin X-960 for just £119 including tax.

The version 7 software dubbed "New Edition" certainly is new. The interface has changed dramatically and it has networked links back to the ViaMichelin servers and your personal ViaMichelin data.

Click here to read the full article including the official ViaMichelin Press Release...

Whilst we were in the ViaMichelin offices we made a short video to give you a flavour of the new software. The sound on the demo is slightly out of sync with the video, trust me, it was not like this in real life :D

ViaMichelin satnav software version 7

Click here to view the video
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Mike Barrett

jonandmarkuk · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:54 am Post subject:

Can you tell me what other Quicktime components I need to play the video. Quicktime just loads and says I need other add on's and takes me to a huge list of different add ons.

Cheers

I'm yet to see what ViaMichelin are planning to do for customers who have GPS units with 6.5 on especially as the free upgrade doesn't cover the period of when the x960 and x970 went on sale, so people who were expecting these functions when they brought the new devices maybe in for a surprise.
I don't mind paying for the update, but ViaMichelin are also unwilling to give a proper answer about the map subscriptions as I have 3 DVD map updates yet to arrive for version 6.5 software but they will not answer if the exsisting maps will be compatible or if I can change the subscription to version 7 maps or if I'm stuck with 3 more map updates which will be useless.

As you have contacts with them, maybe you could find out as I think the problem with getting an answer is that all support replies come from france.

I do think the updates look cool and I'm prepared to pay as unlike Navman ViaMichelin have supported the units and the promised software update has actually arrived... my 2 old Navman units were full of bugs that Navman promised to fix but never did. Rolling Eyes

MikeB · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:07 am Post subject:

The Video is actually in windows media player format. To play it in quicktime you would need the Flip4Mac plugin.

To save you time click here for a Quicktime movie version. It is a bit large I am afraid, but far better quality.
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Mike Barrett

perussell · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 12, 2006 Posts: 292

One assumes that Michelin will allow a free upgrade to the v7 software to all recent purchasers of the involved units.
That at least will go someway to removing the angst over seeing the price decrease by about £70 over a period of 1 week! Confused

Davegthomas · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject:

perussell · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 12, 2006 Posts: 292

jonandmarkuk · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:16 pm Post subject:

MikeB · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 3:34 pm Post subject:

MikeB · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:01 pm Post subject:

jonandmarkuk · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 4:37 pm Post subject:

perussell · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 12, 2006 Posts: 292

How on earth does anyone contact these people?????

It seems if your query has anything to do with Navigation units there is absolutely no way to access Help other than via the on-line FAQ. There is no 'Contact Us' option other than for maps and tyres which will allow you to send an e-mail about the satnav units.

It would be nice to know how we get our vouchers if they were not in the packaging, particularly since it seems from the above that we need to ask for them if we are to take the French experience as an example.

Mike can you help here please with your UK contacts - i.e. how can we get our upgrade requests to VM if we don't have a voucher?

Davegthomas · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 5:39 pm Post subject:

I would have thought, as apparently they are very strict re counterfieting, that they would know who has activated their software and would automatically send the link/voucher/whatever to the appropriate people.

But it would be nice to know exactly what is going to happen.

Deepfour · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 7:28 pm Post subject: ANswers to Questions!!!

Hi ALL

Stuart from ViaMichelin here.

Let me answer some questions.

1) Yes I have been uncontactable today as I have been doing a press tour to show the new product - PocketGPS were the first to see it and had a peek at the beta version before it was finish - We value the opinions of the site team!

2) Contacting Us - There is a section on website (www.viamichelin.co.uk) which has link to contact us by Web Mail or Via the Telephone. The link for all the contact details is:

Website contact Link

Telephone Numbers are:

By phone:
- From United Kingdom: 0870 735 03 60 (0,07 pence/minute)
- From the Netherlands: 050 368 9400
- From Belgium (Flemish speakers): 04 248 6491

3) Upgrades:

Yes it will cost a small amount to upgrade to V7 if you ave an older X-970T or X-980T (Obviously we have to make some money to be able to invest in developement and cant always give everything for Free).
We have been including a free upgrade sticker on the boxes since August 15th as a promo. All stock in retailers should have this sticker on. If anyone has purchased a unit after this date and it isnt stickered then they can get a form from us to get their free upgrade.

4) Services and Upates:

All downloadable services are FREE:

All you have to do is register your product and activate te GPRS services , then you can select on the device how often you want to get the updates for Weather, Real Time Parking avaialblity (Currently in France but to be expanded), Safety Camera data base and My Viamichelin.

So you can now make your changes and save your address files on the website (using your MyViaMichelin Account (FREE)) and they will sychronise witht he device.
The only cost here will be your own GPRS dial up but ,if like me, you have a data package which comes with your phone contract that should be OK.

If anyone has any specific questions or requests then please direct them my way and I will try to help were ever I can,

Cheers

Stu

(Edited by Mike to shorten Website Link)

mbailey3 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 28, 2005 Posts: 30

Any suggestions when these prices will be available, as everything I have found on the web is higher than these prices. Are we likely to see any websites under cutting these prices?

ViaMichelin Navigation X-960: Powerful navigation to suit your pocketRecommended Retail Price: ViaMichelin Navigation X-960 UK: £119 inc. VAT
Recommended Retail Price: ViaMichelin Navigation X-960 Europe: £139 inc. VAT

ViaMichelin Navigation X-970T: super smart navigation
Recommended Retail Price: ViaMichelin Navigation X-970T UK: £139 inc. VAT
Recommended Retail Price: ViaMichelin Navigation X-970T Europe: £169 inc. VAT

ViaMichelin Navigation X-980T: more than just navigationRecommended Retail Price: ViaMichelin Navigation X-980T Europe: £239 inc. VAT

Deepfour · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:14 pm Post subject:

The new pring will come into effect when we release the new products which we expect to be towards the back end of the month.

All stock at retailers have is currently V6.5 with the free upgrade sticker. We have made arrangements to swap stock at most retailers when we launch to the new version although some retailers systems wont allow this and we will be able to create a situation where those retailers who cannot swap their stock can still reduce the pricing for their customers.

Hope this explains things - Dont forget that you can always enter the October competition on the site and win a new version.... Very Happy