Top 5 car navigation features

The biggest test for car navigation systems is your smartphone: Will you use whatÃ?s in the dash, or pull out whatÃ?s in your pocket and drive right into me in the process. IÃ?m B.C. with my Top 5 Car Nav features that will keep you using whatÃ?s built in. 5 - Traffic This is a triple header: The system should display traffic (duh) ...automatically re-route you around it when youÃ?re under guidance...and even alert you to major traffic ahead when youÃ?re not. IÃ?m less concerned with the data source, they all seem to be pretty good. 4 - Some navigation systems move like thereÃ? s little man inside reading a map. Look for lightning fast operation to reduce distraction and frustration. This hinges on both touchscreen response and internal processing. 3 - Natural Voice The best nav systems today let you dictate an address by voice as one string, like 235 2nd St., San Francisco, rather than in tedious, separate operations for Ã?235Ã?, Ã?2nd StÃ?.Ã? and Ã?San FranciscoÃ? like youÃ?re talking to a moron. 2 - Works While Moving WeÃ?d all like to think drivers are conscientious enough to pull over to enter a destination. We all know they are not and will just reach for their smartphone, which is even worse. Rolling destination entry also acknowledges that your passenger might want to enter the address while underway. Before we get to the #1 feature, here are a few I can live without. 3D buildings - IÃ?m not a bird, rooftops tell me nothing. - Photorealism - I like Street Views, but satellite view slows down current the systems more than its worth. - Most POIs: They usually have no context or rating - IÃ?m not gonna pick a restaurant from my car. Exception here for gas stations and ATMs which are generic. - 1 - Connected Connecting car navigation, especially Google powered, fundamentally transforms it to that great experience you have online, not the weird, stilted one you have in most cars. A few cars offer this today, more will do so every model change. Demand it. To stay on top go to CNET on Cars at cnetoncars dot com. I am brian Cooley, thanks for watching.