TomTom Introduces World’s First Navigation Device with Travel-Specific Apps and TomTom HD Traffic with Real-Time Updates
New Connected Devices Help Drivers Travel Smarter with Apps from Yelp®, TripAdvisor®, Expedia® and Twitter

Concord, MA, August 29, 2011 – TomTom today announced the launch of the world’s first portable navigation device with a suite of popular travel apps. The connected TomTom GO LIVE 1535M device will combine the most comprehensive road and traffic information from TomTom HD Traffic, with the insight of travel-related apps. These new features will give people in cars the information they need on a dedicated device designed to offer the best navigation experience. Using TomTom’s connected LIVE services, drivers can access the information they need while on the road by browsing through helpful travel apps from Yelp®, TripAdvisor®, Expedia® and Twitter. With these apps, users can read restaurant reviews, find hotel availability or automatically tweet their arrival time without ever leaving the car. Additionally, they’ll have access to updated fuel prices, weather forecasts, and Local Search

“By giving people the most up-to-date traffic details as well as relevant local content provided by travel apps, TomTom is bringing a new level of connectivity to drivers by providing information in the most effective platform available,” said Tim Roper, president of TomTom, Inc. “We are excited to expand TomTom HD Traffic services onto our new range of connected devices at a more affordable price, as it can dramatically reduce time spent in traffic for our customers.”

As a connected device, the new TomTom GO LIVE device saves people time, money and stress by delivering real-time information and continuously monitoring and rerouting drivers based on current traffic conditions. TomTom HD Traffic provides the most accurate reporting available by capturing more of the actual traffic jams than ever before. Additionally, TomTom HD Traffic processes traffic conditions for all major and secondary roads within the U.S. road network and proactively delivers real-time traffic updates to devices every two minutes.

Features Overview
- Intuitive Voice Recognition with one-step address entry
- Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling*
- Integrated Mount with flip-screen
- Crisp, sharp graphics and intuitive user menus
- Expanded driving view on 5″ touch screens
- Spoken Street Names
- Advanced Lane Guidance
- Maps of US, CAN and MEX (GO LIVE 1535 M)
- Maps of US (GO LIVE 1530)
- Lifetime Map Updates** (varies by model)

Additional Features Available the GO LIVE 1535 M
- TomTom LIVE Services bundle, including TomTom HD Traffic (available in country of purchase)
- New Travel apps from Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia and Twitter
- Other popular TomTom Apps like Local Search, Fuel Prices, and Weather Forecasts

Availability and Pricing
The TomTom GO LIVE 1535 M will be available at retail stores and from online retailers in October 2011. Pricing starts at $249 MSRP. A free 12-month subscription of LIVE services will be available with each purchase.

The new GO devices will be available at retailers nationwide, including Amazon.com and tomtom.com.

Users of the GO LIVE 2535 M will also be able to download these Apps to their existing device through a software update this fall.

[Engadget]

The GO 2505 M LIVE has a 5-inch glass touch panel, Bluetooth handsfree calling support, pinch-to-zoom map, and a voice recognition system. You will also get LIVE services from TomTom including HD traffic, local search, weather updates, and fuel prices. The Go 2505 M LIVE will be available in mid-2011 for $349.

Below is the full Via press release:

TomTom Introduces VIA Series in North America

New Series Offers Slim Design, Enhanced Software and Features to Enhance Driver Safety

Las Vegas, 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show, January 5, 2010 – TomTom, the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions, today announced the introduction of the VIA Series into the United States and Canada. The new TomTom VIA devices will offer consumers a powerful navigation experience with a sleek new design, an enhanced software platform, and premium safety features such as Intuitive Voice Recognition and Bluetooth® Hands-Free Calling.

“At TomTom, we are continuously working to make innovative navigation solutions accessible for our consumers,” said Tom Murray, senior vice president of market development, TomTom. “The VIA Series introduces many of our premium features, such as Intuitive Voice Recognition and Bluetooth® Hands-Free Calling, at mid-range prices.”

The new VIA Series features a range of models, including the 4.3″ VIA 1405 and 1435, as well as the 5″ VIA 1505 and 1535. Consumers will also have the option to purchase these models with Lifetime Maps and/or Lifetime Traffic.

New Look

Consumers will travel in style with TomTom VIA’s super-slim design and its new, integrated and innovative fold-and-go EasyPort® mount. This convenient mounting system allows for easy positioning of the device either on the windshield or the dash and the device orients the display with a useful flip-screen feature.

The devices will be offered in two finishes – the VIA 1435 and 1535 features a contemporary brushed-aluminum finish, while the VIA 1405 and 1505 range offers a classic, black finish.

Smart User Interface

The VIA products will include the newest version of TomTom’s acclaimed, new navigation software to offer drivers a world-class navigation experience. Drivers will be able to plan routes easily and quickly with faster route-planning and a bright touch-screen.

Premium Safety Features

The VIA 1435 and 1535 range offers drivers a suite of premium safety features, including Intuitive Voice Control and Bluetooth Hands-Free calling, that allow drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel. Also, available across the full VIA Series, TomTom’s Help me! menu that helps drivers travel with peace of mind knowing that they can always find help along the way if it is needed.

Features Overview

§ Intuitive Voice Recognition (optional)

§ Bluetooth Hands-Free Calling* (optional)

§ Integrated Mount with flip-screen

§ Crisp, sharp graphics and intuitive user menus

* Expanded driving view on 4.3″ or 5″ touch screens

* Lifetime Traffic & Map Updates** (optional)
* Spoken Street Names
* Advanced Lane Guidance

Availability and Pricing

The TomTom VIA Series will be available at retail stores and from online retailers in mid-2011. Prices begin at $169 MSRP.

This means that the units will be eligible to download quarterly updates using the TeleAtlas map data and POI databases with no additional charge. Devices with TomTom’s Lifetime Traffic devices will receive traffic information every three minutes. [CNET]

TomTom has finally made its way to the App store. The app is now available in Australia and New Zealand.

According to MacRumors, the application has four maps available for purchase. The US and Canada map is priced at $124.99, Western Europe is priced at $121.55 USD, Australia is priced at $70.90 USD, and NZ is priced at $81.03 USD.

The app is currently not visible in the US App store.

Unlike AT&T’s navigation app, TomTom will not charge you a monthly fee to use the application. The app’s maps are downloaded on the iPhone and stored locally.

ALL of the iPhone’s current GPS offerings suck. AT&T Navigator is absolutely not worth $10 a month. Gokivo’s real time navigation app suffers from the same issues as AT&T Navigator. It also costs $10 a month and does not come close to competing with a dedicated GPS unit. Both of them do not store maps locally. They download maps as you drive.

Navigon has released a pretty nice GPS app for the European market. Its maps are downloaded to your phone and no monthly plan or data network connection is required. The company says that a US version will come out soon but don’t hold your breath. There is also G-Map by XRoad. G-Map is currently under $40.00 and does not require a monthly plan. It also downloads all maps  to your phone when installed. The G-Map app suffers from incomplete map data and bad routing directions.

TomTom on the other hand has not said anything about the release of their GPS iPhone application. They made a lot of noise about the product at WWDC last June. They generated high anticipation. But left everyone hanging. From time to time, a news report or blog post comes out saying the app is on the way. But we hear nothing official from TomTom.

All of the current GPS solutions on the iPhone suck. So TomTom still has a chance to win the category over. That is if they ever release their application.

For those of you The Simpsons fans out there, a Homer Simpson voice skin is now available to be built in to the TomTom Knight Rider GPS.  Homer Simpson isn’t best known for his intellect, but at least we know now that he can give good directions.  Some of his expressions on the GPS include “Take the third right.  We might find an ice cream truck!  Mmm… ice cream” and “Woo hoo, you have reached your destination.  And you can hold your head up high because you are a genius.  At the end of the road turn left, then taking the motorway.  Hahaha WooHoo!”  The voice skin runs for $12.95.

[via Engadget/Pocketlink]

Availability time in the U.S. is undetermined, but United Kingdom consumers can get their hands on it next month for £179.99 ($300).

[via Engadget/TomTom PR]