Aren’t GPS sales on the decline? I can say without a doubt that if I had a car I’d pick one up. I’m sorry but Google Maps is not perfect and even if I had a BlackBerry with GPS, I still wouldn’t rely on it. I was in Seattle last week and had a bitch of a time getting around with just Google Maps. TomTom announced this morning a revamped One and XL GPS devices. Some new fangled windshield mount dubbed EasyPort can be taken with you wherever you go. The audio systems from previous models have been tweaked so that you can raise the volume of the device without it getting distorted and hear it above traffic. The higher end models include text-to-speech. The One sports a 3.5-inch touch screen LCD while the XL comes with a 4.3-inch screen. Both will be available some time next month. Specs and pricing after the jump. → Read More
I’ll be honest with you. If I hadn’t gotten rid of my car late last year, I’d be tempted to pick one of these up myself. There are plenty of cheap GPS units out there but to be able to grab a TomTom unit for under $100 seems to be a pretty sweet deal. The unit is refurbished, yes, but you’ll get the same warranty as if it were new (one year, I believe) and you can extend it through Buy.com’s warranty service. Specs include a 3.5-inch touchscreen, preloaded maps of the US and Canada, turn-by-turn voice directions, and millions of points of interest like gas stations, ATM machines, hotels, etc. Not too shabby. It’s $119, plus a $20 mail in rebate at Buy.com. TomTom ONE 3rd Edition Portable GPS System [Buy.com] via FatWallet → Read More
This seemed like a no-brainer, I’m not sure why it hasn’t been implemented before. TomTom’s new models, the 730 and 930, estimate trip time using collected data on how fast people actually go on the streets it suggests, rather than the posted speed limits. I guess the question is, where did they get this data? Is there a “send anonymous usage stats to TomTom” toggle somewhere on their GPS units that people don’t know about? The system also takes into account “speed bumps and rotaries,” by which I think it means traffic circles. Not only that, but if you live in LA and drive on 12-lane surface streets all day, it’s got a detailed lane view thing now that tells you which you should be in. Cool features, but they also feature a $500 price tag. Not exactly a killer app. New TomTom Models – 730 and 930 [GPSReview] → Read More
Yet another GPS unit will now be available to consumers; this time from TomTom. Its new ONE XL-S mapping unit is feature rich with a beautiful 4.3-inch for viewing. One of the standout features is text-to-speech, which basically reads out your directions, restaurants, etc. out to you so you can spend more time concentrating on the road rather than your GPS unit. You’ll also be able to share map data with people online with the ONE XL-S and can do hands-free calling via Bluetooth, making this one of the safer units on the market. Optionally, you can get realtime traffic reports through TomTom if you want to shell out some extra bucks. Look for it at the end of this month for $400. TomTom rolls ONE XL-S map unit with text-to-speech [Electronista] → Read More
Exciting news? Not really, but it could mean improved service and better products with TomTom’s announcement to buy map-provider Tele Atlas. TomTom is rumored to have purchased the company for $2.5 billion. Sure it’s a lot of money, but think about what you’re getting with that deal. Tele Atlas is currently the supplier of TomTom’s data. This news will also shake up other map companies. Mapquest sucks and to be honest, I haven’t used it since Google Maps came along. Luckily, this acquisition is bound to shake up execs at both companies, possibly forcing them to come out with new features to stay fresh and compete. Daily map updates could also become a reality once the deal goes through. Sounds like a total win for both consumers and TomTom. TomTom to buy map supplier Tele Atlas [Reuters] → Read More
TomTom’s got another portable GPS device in the woodworks. It’s the TomTom Go 720, made especially for the U.S. and Canadian markets. It’s a typical GPS device with all the features that are becoming more standard by the day, including a 4.3-inch touch screen and basic multimedia playback options. But the Go 720 does do one thing a little differently: it allows users to collaboratively improve the included maps. → Read More
TomTom officially announced this morning an expansion to its popular ONE line of personal GPS devices. The new version will feature an expanded 4.3-inch touchscreen display and Bluetooth. It is known for its ability to conveniently deliver spoken-word turn-by-turn directions. It utilizes a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that is capable of two hours of operation. Additionally, it can display in both 2D and 3D and is backlit for convenient viewing under multiple lighting sources. The TomTom ONE XL will be available in June for $399. Product Page [via Gizmodo] → Read More
I change the main ringtone on my phone about once a week, so I can completely understand why someone would want to change out the voice that daily tells them to “turn left” on their GPS device. TomTom gets this and, while other companies offer multiple voice options for GPS voices, the company seems to be going out of its way to get unique voice talents, which now includes actor Gary Busey. Yep, for just $12.95 you can have the voice of the man that nearly died of head injuries in a motorcycle accident in December 1988 guide you on your next trip to the mall. Oh and oddly enough, Busey starred in the 1983 film comedy “D.C. Cab” with Mr. T, who does a TomTom Navtone as well. TomTom Navtones → Read More
No real information on this one beyond a few pics. We know it’ll be a GPS (duh it’s TomTom), SD, Bluetooth dialing and voice SMS and interface changes. It’ll also have a new docking system that will allow you to cradle your TomTom and use it to control an iPod or USB storage device. More pics after the jump: → Read More
Convergence is the name of the game with the HTC P3300 PDA-Phone. The P3300 comes with a GPS and TomTom Navigator 6 both built-in, which means this can be your primary GPS navigation device if you don’t already have one (if you’re in Europe). The device itself runs Windows Mobile 5.0, has a GPS module, GSM/GPRS/EDGE connectivity, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, FM Radio, and push email capabilities. The TomTom 6 software lets you navigate directly to addresses set in your contacts, knows where police cameras are (useful in the UK), notifies you if you’re speeding, and can switch to pedestrian navigation view. The phone comes loaded with only European maps, but it will be easy for HTC to load American maps and send this baby our way sometime soon. Product Page [HTC via Mobile Whack via GPS Lodge] → Read More
Lots of big stories dropped yesterday and, as always, we want to make sure that you caught the major ones. Here are some of the highlights from Thursday, August 16: TomTom ONE GPS Released In North America Boeing Drops Connexion More Microsoft Zune Details Logitech Launches iPod Speakers Masterlock Bested? → Read More
The tiny GPS navigation system with a large 3.5-inch screen hits the US shores this month, after much delay. It only weighs 5.6 ounces and is 1 inch thick, which is tiny for a GPS system. Carry this around in your pocket or bag to have whenever your buddies are driving, just in case. It’s got 32MB of SD memory and access to TomTom PLUS services such as traffic and weather. As an entry-level device, it’s pretty decent. But at $499, it may be a little too costly for entry-level users. Press Release [Business Wire via Engadget] → Read More
Palm announced today the Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition. The system is powered by the new TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 software that features voice navigation and turn-by-turn directions. Meanwhile, a new SiRFstarIII Bluetooth enabled GPS receiver handles all that meddlesome satellite communication. It is compatible with Treo 650, 700w and 700p devices. I’ve always wondered why GPS hasn’t been embraced by more developers. I know it’s sneaking its way into more-and-more devices, but instead of crappy camera phones, GPS would have been a much more appropriate feature to intergrate. Hopefully it soon becomes more prolific. Palm Announces New Bluetooth GPS with TomTom for Treo Smartphones [Palm News] → Read More
San Francisco, CA
