After I was finally able to download the installer, I was pleasantly surprised by the new features. I decided to install it on my netbook before actually installing it in my car – just in case some things may go wrong. Set up was fairly easy, mainly because it hasn’t changed much from the previous version. The new features make the interface much easier to use. These include the ability to open up the interface to the currently playing media from anywhere within Centrafuse, as well as a much less cluttered interface – which definitely helps hitting the button you meant to press.

One thing that just makes the interface – and your CarPC as a result – is the iPhone like animations. While it would be good to be able to swipe across the screen – like the iPhone – to change pages at the main screen, they still did a good job. All places where you would normally press scroll up and down buttons can be scrolled kinetically with a finger just like most modern touch phones.

One thing I’m disappointed at is the fact that it still doesn’t get the RDS data from the radio stream when you are using a HD Radio. Here in Australia, we can’t get HD Radio signals. I just bought the HD Radio because it was fairly cheap and can get analog signals as well – which has RDS data on most FM stations, it was also the only one I could find that does AM radio as well.

Overall, the update is very welcome and definitely makes the interface much easier to use. Also, because I have bought the application myself, I am able to give out a discount code that will take 10% off your total purchase, just enter the referral code: UEXUOEDAI when ordering.

I have used and loved the TomTom application on Windows Mobile, and the standalone TomTom devices are pretty good. The same, however, can not be said for the iPhone application. A lot of features are missing from the iPhone version. These include lane guidance and a lot of the customisation options.

One of the major problems I have with TomTom on the iPhone is the complete lack of customisation. On the Windows Mobile and standalone versions, you are able to customise a whole boat load of things. On the iPhone, you are limited to just changing the voice (which you have to hack to get custom voices on), planning options and distance units. On Sygic, you are able to customise everything from signpost settings to complete customisation of the display.

In my test of TomTom, I was really annoyed that while driving along the freeway, I had no idea which exit I was supposed to take. It would be easier if I knew the name of the exit, however it just told me how far it was. Sygic, on the other hand, tells you exactly which exit and the sign to look out for. Definitely a plus for Sygic there.

One of the biggest features in the TomTom standalone devices is the lane guidance feature. This is a 3D representation of the road and which lane you are supposed to be in. This is completely missing in the iPhone app. At least Sygic has a little display in the bottom left of the screen showing the lanes.

The funny thing is, for an application that attempts to look like TomTom, Sygic has actually come out on top of the big rival. Sorry TomTom, unless you add all the features you have in the standalone devices, you have lost this one.

Roundabouts are one of my biggest pet peeves with driving in Perth. People just don’t understand them, even though they are extremely simple to understand. I’ll start by explaining what the person did wrong. Upon entering the roundabout, he indicated right. He then proceeded to go straight, keeping his right indicator on until after he exited. Seriously, how the hell does anyone think indicating right when going straight is the right thing to do?

Here are the VERY simple steps for navigating a roundabout in Western Australia:

1. When approaching the roundabout, indicate your intentions (just like any other intersection):
   • If turning left, indicate left.
   • If going straight, do NOT indicate.
   • If turning right, indicate right.
   • If there are more than 4 exits, if exiting after the second exit, indicate right.
2. Give way to anyone coming from the right of where you are, including vehicles approaching the roundabout or vehicles already in it.
3. Proceed through the roundabout, if a multilane roundabout, stay in your lane – no matter what.
4. When exiting, indicate left.

And there we have it, the EXTREMELY simple rules for navigating a roundabout, yet so many people get it wrong. You’d be amazed at how many times I go through a multilane roundabout just to be nearly hit because some idiot changed lanes as well.

• Roundabouts
• Merging
• Car parks
• So-called “safe” drivers (a.k.a. really slow drivers)
• People who complain at you when they do the wrong thing

Those are the main problems I have with drivers on the road. From what I’ve heard, most of the problems with merging and roundabouts are isolated to the city I live in (Perth, Western Australia). I have no idea why they’re isolated here, people just seem to be idiots here.

So stay tuned for the next in my Driving series.