Turning a smartphone into a GPS navigation system. Bloomberg Boot Camp, a report on today's technology. If you are looking for a portable GPS navigation system for a car….one of the best options is to add software and a GPS receiver to a smartphone you may already have. ALK has added support for both the Motorola Q and the Palm Treo 700W….to its CoPilot Live system. With a rechargeable Bluetooth GPS receiver….and the software on a one gigabyte memory card….the price for the Motorola Q version is 349 dollars. The advantages over a built in navigation system? ALK's Mary Kelly…

"Well you have the flexibility to take the device with CoPilot anywhere that you go. So if you had an installed GPS navigation system, you really don't have that flexibility. For example, if you're traveling, you're on a business trip and you get off the plane and you need to rent a car, you have a GPS navigation system with you. CoPilot Live goes where you go."

The CoPilot system offers a clear driver mode or 3D map display…and your choice of voice prompts. The installation has been simplified by including all the software and map data on a memory card. Another unique feature….the optional use of the Live system….that enables real time tracking of your travels over the Internet by friends or family. That includes the ability to send text messages to the phone as well. Bloomberg Boot Camp, I'm Fred Fishkin.