Garmin releases MalSingMaps Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei NT 2011.30 for free update

Garmin has made available MalSingMaps (MSM) Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei NT 2011.30 (2011-Q3) for free update now.

You can click here to download the installation file of MalSingMaps Malaysia/Singapore/Brunei NT 2011.30 from Garmin server. The download file is split into 4, and you just need to download the file relevant to your Garmin GPS navigator:

• nuvi 3790V or 3790
• nuvi 1250
• nuvi 2575R, 2565, 2465, 1460, 1350, 765 or 255w
• nuvi 205 or 205w

The installation file for nuvi 255w is 234MB (245,858KB), about the same size with its previous version released in 2011 Q1.

For nuvi 255w, the installation program requires you to have an SD Card slotted in your GPS before it can proceed. Just like the previous version of MSM NT 2011.10, it will install gmapprom1.img (44,484KB) and SGMYMAL.JCV (215,715KB) into your SD Card instead of the flash memory of your GPS. If you prefer them to be in the GPS internal flash memory, you can manually move them from your SD Card to the flash memory, and I've done that without any issue. Anyhow, the gmapprom1.unl file is still updated in the flash memory of the GPS.

During the installation process, you'll be asked for the unlock key. The key is stored in the existing gmapprom1.unl file in your Garmin GPS navigator, which you can open with Notepad or any text editor. Just copy and paste the key to the installer when asked.

I couldn't find any description about what has been changed in this new version of MSM.

The end of Papago! GPS support for X3 / X5 / X6 / Reality 7 / OEM and final MalFreeMaps for those versions

Maction has forced an end support to all earlier version of their X-Series Papago! GPS by end of August 2011, which include the hardware and software (Android, iPhone, Win CE, ...) version of X3, X5, X6,  Reality 7, and OEM versions. Those will be replaced by the new X8 version using a new map format with no backward compatibility.

They have also officially requested MalFreeMaps (MFM) to cease providing map updates to all earlier versions of Papago! by end of August 2011, and only provide future map updates for Papago! X8.

As such, MFM-PPG-110823 is the final MalFreeMaps map release for those earlier versions of Papago!.

I can understand their move, which I believe is a bold business decision to fight against piracy to their software. The pirated Papago! GPS software had been used in some China-made GPS gadgets and also embeded GPS in car audio-visual devices, selling at cheap price. Beside that, cracked versions of Papago! for Android, iPhone, Win CE, Symbian, etc. are not difficult to be found, downloaded and installed from the Internet.

In fact, Garmin GPS also faced the same software piracy problem before, until they ceased the production of software version of Garmin Mobile XT GPS navigator.

Anyhow, this is a very risky move of Maction. Regardless whether it is legal and/or ethical to do so, for sure they have lost in customer satisfaction, loyalty, and brand reputation. But this will also kill off some of their competitors who pirated their software and produce cheap GPS gadgets.

Existing users of genuine Papago! are told to bring their devices to Papago! service centres for upgrade to version X8, either free or at cost, based on the terms and conditions.

Are you a Papago! user? What do you feel about this drastic action?

Live traffic condition updates in Twitter by Malaysian Highway Authority (Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia, LLM)

In this festive season, a lot of us are taking a long break and travelling back to hometown or going on vacation. It is anticipated that the traffic volume on PLUS highway will increase tremendously.

Do you know that you can check the live highways traffic condition updates in Twitter by Malaysian Highway Authority (Lembaga Lebuhraya Malaysia, LLM)? The landing page is http://twitter.com/#!/LLMinfotrafik.

Its gonna be very handy and convenient for you if you can access Twitter with your smartphone, like this:

Also, Twitter loads much faster than the LLM Traffic website (http://www.llmtrafik.gov.my/), another place for you to check the highway traffic conditions.

You can also make a call to 1800887752 (7am - 10pm) for live traffic update.

May your journey be safe and smooth. Enjoy your holiday!

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