Have you ever been caught in a situation where you are overseas and you needed to do a size conversion from the unit you were familiar with to the unit they used? Or maybe you wanted to find out what was an appropriate amount for tips at the restaurant that you just had that dinner. Or maybe it could be as basic as finding out if your flight is going to be on time. These are just some of the scenarios you wish you had a solution to and until some time back, the only real solution was to be connected. But now with WorldMate Professional Edition, you have all the solutions you need in your Pocket PC.

Introduction

The review that you are about to read is for the Professional Edition of WorldMate. For those who are unaware, a free version of WorldMate was recently released. It’s a stripped down version of the Professional Edition but it still packs a punch. The Professional Edition comes with a $74.95 price tag and that’s the price you pay for a year’s subscription. This is definitely one of the more expensive software out there and for those looking for a good deal, you would do well to purchase the various bundles which offer even more functions. But for such a hefty price, are you getting your money’s worth?

Keep Track Of Flights

Frequent-fliers will tell you that there is nothing more irritating than airport delays. Be it due to weather or just plain mechanical breakdown, wouldn’t it be great if you were told of your flight status before you made your way to the airport. WorldMate Professional Edition allows you to do just that.

Find ot all about your flight…	Including travel time and equipment

For starters, you get to know details about your flight status right from your Pocket PC. From finding out which gate your departing from to which gate you need to go to for your connecting flight, WorldMate Professional Edition covers it all. This will definitely give those travelers who have connecting flights peace of mind and the ability to make advance preparations should the need arise.

Find the best flight	Look at results in detail

Of course, flight status is not the only thing you are paying for. Say you need to get to a location quickly. WorldMate Professional Edition will find and list the 50 fastest connections to your destination. And because it provides both daily and weekly schedules, it’ll cater well for last-minute planners and those who prefer planning in advance.

Packing List

Have you ever found yourself forgetting to bring something along when you travel? If you have WorldMate Professional Edition, that may just be a thing of the past. With it’s packing list feature, the basics are there to remind to you what you need to bring. And if you have special requirements, then edit the list to your needs.

Sort your items according to categories such as clothing, electronics and toiletries to make packing a breeze. And strike them off when it’s in the bag. There may be similar lists out there that are available at a much lower price, but I bet it does not come with all the great features you see in WorldMate Professional Edition.

Keep Track Of The Weather

The free version allows you to keep track of the weather pretty well, but what if you want to get a better picture? That’s where their Satellite Imagery comes in. You get to see how the clouds are forming and see for yourself when the rain sets in. You could very well be the next meteorologist with this one.

Don’t just find out the daily weather when you’re out and about. Get a better understanding of it so you can pack sufficiently. The last thing you want to experience when you are out and about is that rain storm that you thought was only going to hit in the later part of the day.

Check Dialing Codes

For those who travel to many parts of the world, this might be one of the more useful features. Because it helps you get the calling codes right the first time around. No longer do you need to guess where the call came from or what numbers to dial to reach that customer in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With WorldMate Professional Edition’s Dial Code Guide, all the calling information you need is in your hand.

A Host Of Other Features

The features above are what separates the Professional Edition from the free version. But that’s not to say that the other functions are basic or useless. Combine some of the free features with the paid ones and you will see why it’s a great all in one software.

World Map

Say you receive a call and using the Global Calling Guide (paid feature), you found out that the call originated from Singapore. It’s 2pm where you’re at but you’re not sure if you could call back later. With the World Map, you get to see where the location is and also find out if now’s a good time to return the call.

Tips & Tax

It’s pretty difficult to determine how much to pay when you eat out because tips and taxes can vary by location, even when you are in one country. Let WorldMate do the calculation for you so you know how much is enough. Be it for restaurants or taxe drivers or even for concierge services, you’ll be sure that the amount you’re leaving is what is expected. Of course, leaving more wouldn’t hurt either

Convert Almost Anything

There are times when the country you are visiting does not use the same unit of measurement as the one you are accustomed to. You use a US Size 9 shoe but what’s that in European? Or how about something more complicated as a suit? All these conversations are available with just a few taps with WorldMate. So come away from your shopping trip that you got your wife that you know she’ll like in a size that’s her.

And who could forget about exchange rates. Unless you are changing a load of money, constantly monitoring this might do you little good. But what if you were looking for how much something cost in your currency. Then this calculator can help you do that. And unlike conventional calculators, you can compare up to 3 items with 3 different currencies and get an online update on the rates, all from one screen.

Summary

Pros:

• Offers consumers a choice between free and paid version
• Has a lot of features that travelers will find useful.
• Easy to navigate and nice graphics makes using the software pleasant.
• Has information tip for each feature to guide new users.

Cons:

• Expensive subscription services.
• No calling card dialing feature to help with placing calls.

Conclusion

WorldMate is a really great program for you to have in your pocket when you are traveling. Whether you choose the Professional Edition with its subscription payment and extra features or the free version, this software will serve you well while overseas. Sure there might be other programs that could do what WorldMate Professional Edition does or you could check the internet for the required information. But then again, WorldMate Professional Edition does it all from the palm of your hand and in one application. There’s no travel companion better than WorldMate Professional Edition and you would do yourself a huge favor by installing it before your next trip.

Tags: commercial software