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JimDantin
USA
39 Posts |
 Posted - 11 janv. 2007 : 22:10:41
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I am confused by an email from Matt Kuenzel that stated in part "Our business at Mapopolis has been struggling for the past year. Therefore I recently made the tough decision to discontinue our business of selling our PDA software products."
Does this mean that Mapopolis is going out of the mobile mapping business? Any clarification would be appreciated. |
Jim
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lamar@mapopolis.com
USA
2508 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 02:21:39
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Hi, Jim and other forum members,
Yes, it's true. Over the next few months Mapopolis will be ramping down sales of software products for PDAs and phones in order to concentrate on our core business interests. Product and support will continue to be available during this time, but I don't have any further specifics to mention at this time. Right now, you know about much as I do.
Added 1/12/07:
The current plan, I've been told, is to operate sales and support until March 31, 2007. The map server and customer support will be continued for one year afterward so that every customer's download term is complete.
The next generation Mapopolis product is to be integrated into another company's products. We will not disclose who that other company is at this time.
Thank you all for using Mapopolis, and thank many of you for participating as we tried to make the products better. Because of your help, we did.
Added 1-14-2007:
I'm going to be looking for a job! If anybody knows of a company that needs an American customer support person familiar with Palms, Pocket PCs, Windows Mobile devices, GPS devices, car mounts, and Windows XP who has a home office with a fast internet connection, please send them to me. :-)
Added 1-15-2207:
Since there seems to be some confusion on other sites linking back to this thread, here's a clarification: Support will continue as long as anyone has an active Map Pack. This means it will run at least a year after the last day of sales. Nobody is going to be stranded without HELP.
Lamar |
Airstream travel trailers are round on both ends. |
Edited by - lamar@mapopolis.com on 15 janv. 2007 22:24:02 |
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jhom
USA
107 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 03:30:49
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| Sad news. I have relied on Mapopolis for my navigation needs for several years now. I don't look forward to using some second rate program. |
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gpspassion
93427 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 03:35:02
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| Yep, while it's probably a good idea to go after new markets, (WinCE PNDs ?), why not keep the niche PDA/PDAPhone market where Mapopolis has made a name for itself and has a strong following ? Maybe get some bundle deals with PDAPhone/Smartphone companies to generate more volume. Easier said than done of course, but the PND market seems to be terribly crowded and with a C310x selling for $149 on Black Friday there can't be a lot of money to be made there... |
Discounts and Assistance/Réductions et Assistance (Club GpsPasSion) / Où commencer? |
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Lizard_weasel
USA
885 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 03:52:32
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| I agree with all the above....this is very sad. I've been a big supporter of Mapopolis for several years now. I hate the idea of going to a different program. |
Steve
Garmin Nuvi 750, 3760LTM and Zumo 660.
Formerly Nuvi 350 and Axim x51v with Mapopolis and bluetooth receiver. |
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NightPilot
USA
215 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 05:45:36
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| I thought mobile navigation software WAS Mapopolis' core business. If not, then what is the 'core business interests'? |
Regards,
Stan
Palm Zire 71, Palm T3, Garmin Legend, RS Digitraveler |
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Dr_StrangeTrick
United Kingdom
379 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 06:59:13
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Hi all, I may have missed something here so bear with me please.
First off all could someone tell me who Matt Kuenzel is 
Secondly "ramping down sales" suggests that sales will still be available but not to the same scale. Or is this just a polite way to say no more new sales
I know you say product support will continue but does this mean program and map updates to existing customers
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Dell Axim X51v, Orange C550, Holux GPSlim 236 |
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gibhenry
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 10:39:50
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quote:
Originally posted by lamar@mapopolis.com
Yes, it's true. Over the next few months Mapopolis will be ramping down sales of software products for PDAs and phones in order to concentrate on our core business interests. Product and support will continue to be available during this time, but I don't have any further specifics to mention at this time. Right now, you know about much as I do.
Well, actually, Lamar, your active participation here is one of the key elements in my decision to buy Mapopolis when I return to the U.S. As far as I know, NO other vendor has an evangelist of any sort, let alone of your stature. Since support is a major component in any (wise) purchasing decision, and adding in the favorable comments of users here, the decision was a no-brainer.
So, yeah, I'm sad to have the rug pulled out from under me. But even more to the point, I'm sad to see a well-respected and well-supported product disappear. You know, Henry's Fifth Corollary to Murphy's Law states, "Once you find a product or service that you really like, that product or service will be discontinued."
I wish Mapopolis were an outlaw.  Cheers, |
Gib Henry
Teletype GPS, iMate Jasjar (WM5) |
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aguy2no
USA
13 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 15:12:02
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since this is true Lamar, and you guys have tested the new maps
release them at a discount? price, we take our chances and let us rock on then |
Dell Axim V51x SanDisk 1 GB
Rikaline gps-6033 bluetooth gps |
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DriveBySignal
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 17:40:43
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There goes the grand-daddy of them all - perhaps a product with the most potential - probably because they did not focus on improving the essentials and got carried away with trivialities. However, you could still exploit a niche market without any major software improvements by just updating the maps periodically. Hope that happens.
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looby
United Kingdom
32 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 22:05:22
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| I don't quite get this either. Does this mean that after one year from March 2007 I will no longer have access to the Mapopolis maps I have bought? If so I guess the best idea would be to download the GB and European ones to my PC now so then I will be able to continue using Mapopolis forever. Is this the case or am I missing something too? |
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lamar@mapopolis.com
USA
2508 Posts |
Posted - 12 janv. 2007 : 22:28:39
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Hi, Looby,
For individually purchased maps found under the Purchase History link, you should download them and back them up. We only saved them as a convenience for our customers - it's not something we ever promised.
Maps downloaded from Purchased Map Packs do not expire. They work as long as you have compatible hardware to run the program on. These should also be backed up, as they are longer available when the Map Pack download period ends and you won't be able to repurchase after April 31.
This is not NEW.
Lamar |
Airstream travel trailers are round on both ends. |
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irishjohn
Ireland
141 Posts |
Posted - 13 janv. 2007 : 02:07:10
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Hi Lamar and all the other Forum users
I read all the new posts almost every day, just waiting to see what new updates are coming but mainly to see if any new map data updates are on sale.
My flexible friend sits beside me smiling just waiting to be used.
I don't have a boat so not to worried about the water thing.
Here in Ireland we have new 3 lane car parks opening every couple of months and I for one would have no problem paying for new maps. I know you guys probably need around 5000 sales a year and only 20 or so if us on the Forum will never pay all your wages.
I am really sorry to hear this news and hope you all at mapopolis can pull something out of the bag and start making a few pound oops dollars and get things back on track. GPS navigation has been huge here in Ireland over the past year and will grow over the next year. Up to about 18 months ago nobody had it, now every taxi has one and nearly every second car has one. I'm sure we are not the only country to be recently Mapped.
Best of luck
John
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Dell Axim x50v / 1gb sd card / Europe Ireland Mapopolis 4.7..
A Man Has a Wife Cus He Cant Blame The Government For Everything |
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dcrochet
USA
1044 Posts |
Posted - 13 janv. 2007 : 05:40:47
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Wow. I don't know what to say -- but I must say that the Mapopolis experience has been a highlight for me and a joyous introduction to GPS street navigation. Mapopolis software has always been a solid performer with superior routing and unmatched feature-depth. And then there's the customer support and user engagement through this community and the betas. Lamar, my hat's off to you [in particular] and the entire Mapopolis team. Well done.
I guess I knew this day was coming but I was just hoping for another round of maps to perhaps get Mapopolis back on its feet in style. Beyond that I was hoping for a successful split of the coded components so third-party vendors could build upon the strengths and features with an appropriate UI for today's consumers while taking the underlying technologies to various CE platforms and beyond. And ultimately I wanted to see Mapopolis enjoying the fruits of their labors as GPS street navigation began to permeate the marketplace as we're seeing today.
Certainly, Mapopolis has played an important role in this rapidly unfolding story of modern street navigation. Even Garmin has been unable to produce a fluid, interactive map on par with Mapopolis. And the PDA/Smartphone competitiors were simply on task to match the features of Mapopolis including contacts integration, fast-logical routing, auto-zoom, eye-candy maps, unlimited POI support, proximity alerts, user customization, text-to-speech, NavTec maps (US), etc. Yes, the competition now offers these features and more complete with beautiful, finger-friendly UI's. The only problem is, this feature list is not comprehensively found in any single, competing product -- and then there's always some showstopper like card-locked software or laptop-tethered function. iGuidance is coming along nicely and I'm impressed with its progress and direction, but either way, I'm now forced to make a jump. The bottom line is, nothing will be as flexible and functional on a PDA/portable as my beloved Mapopolis. It has served me well, and I'm happy with the experience all around.
Thank you, to the Mapopolis team! |
Axim X5 400 A04, PPC2002, Mapopolis 4.71 NAVCARD (NE) old 4.6 routing technique, SiRF3 CF GPS |
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Dr_StrangeTrick
United Kingdom
379 Posts |
Posted - 13 janv. 2007 : 07:22:00
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OK now I understand
I will miss you guys and I have tried the other packages and they don't compare.
Many many thanks for guiding me through the years and I hope all goes will for all the staff at Mapopolis and a special thanks to Lamar for putting up with me during this time.
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Dell Axim X51v, Orange C550, Holux GPSlim 236 |
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JimDantin
USA
39 Posts |
Posted - 13 janv. 2007 : 15:04:12
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Like the rest of you, I was really hoping that I had bad information and this wasn't true. I've been an avid Mapopolis user and promoter since I first wrote a review in March 2003 for our local users group. http://www.pocketpclouisville.com
Since then, we have looked at almost ever other GPS mapping package and inevitably end up recommending Mapopolis to new members. The existance of this forum and the participation of Mapopolis staff have been major factors in our enthusiastic support.
Like dcrochet, we're now facing the task of selecting a new mapping program. I've already started contacting some of the major players (TomTom, iGuidance) to arrange for reviews. I'd like to hear from you all with info on other packages that look promising. A history of timely map updates will be an important consideration! |
Jim
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