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TomTom Go Live Top Gear edition brings Clarkson onboard as navigator, Stig speechless
We'd assume a sizable share of fans may consider themselves God's gift to road navigation, but that hasn't stopped TomTom launching a special edition Top Gear flavor of its GPS device. Navigation is narrated by the voice of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson, directing clueless drivers "with the aid of 32 satellites... and me." The in-car navigation unit is priced at $269.95, including a one-year subscription to traffic updates and incident reports from TomTom. Alongside Clarkson's familiar tones are some extra Top Gear car icons and Stig mode, where the GPS will remain entirely silent. It'll also point out race tracks featured in the show, plus any nearby speed cameras. With its main man behind you, how could you possibly lose your way?
TomTom extends Live service and HD Traffic to Canada with Go Live 1535M nav unit
Satisfying your poutine craving just got easier as TomTom extends its internet-enabled Live service and HD Traffic to nav systems up north. Using the Go Live 1535M portable GPS unit, Canadian drivers can now access the company's signature HD Traffic feature to get real-time routing based on current congestion. Another perk of being connected is the suite of apps that gives adventurers access to Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia, Twitter and local search from the dash -- making it easy to find that perfectly crafted caribou jerky and brag about it on social networks. Starting in October, Canucks can cop the system for around $269 with a free 12-month starter subscription to Live offerings. Check out the full PR after the break.
TomTom announces Go Live 1535M in all its app-wielding glory, offers dashboard tweeting
If you're a fan of TomTom's Go Live series of nav units, you'll get a kick out of what the company announced today. Hitting retail and online stores in October is "the world's first portable navigation device with a suite of popular travel apps," the Go Live 1535M. That's right folks, this piece of dashboard flair will allow you to use Yelp, TripAdvisor, Expedia and Twitter all from the comfort of its 5-inch touchscreen. In addition to the new application integration, the GPS juggernaut's classic features will be available as well: hands-free calling, real-time traffic info, local search, fuel prices and weather forecasts. Sounds great, right? But what's that... you already sprung for the 2535M model? No worries, mates -- you'll be able to download the new features this fall via software update. Pricing for these app-enabled navigators will start at $250 which includes a free 12-month subscription to TomTom Live services. Pretty soon, you'll be able to make that dinner reservation while TomTom tells you how to get there, seconds before you tweet about it.
TomTom announces Go Live 800 series PNDs for lost Europeans
TomTom's Go Live family got a little larger today, with the unveiling of the company's new 800 series of PNDs. With the purchase of an 820 or 825 GPS, you'll get a year's worth of free access to HD Traffic, a speed camera alert system, local weather updates and all the rest of TomTom's Live services. The navigators also come with intelligent orientation sensors that allow for easy dashboard mounting, as well as Bluetooth capabilities that enable drivers to make hands-free calls while they cruise. The five-inch 825, much like the ARM11-powered Go Live 1000, generates routes using TomTom's IQ Routes technology, though it won't cost quite as much as its big brother. No word yet on the pricing of the 4.3-inch 820, which is due to hit Europe this September, but the 825 will retail for about £230 ($373) when it launches this month. Full presser after the break.
TomTom intros GO 2505 M LIVE, VIA series GPS units in North America
Not that Las Vegas is terribly difficult to navigate, but TomTom's unveiling its latest PNDs here at CES, regardless. Up first is the GO 2505 M LIVE, the followup to the Go Live 1000 that was launched last April. This one packs a familiar design, with a 5-inch glass touchpanel, Bluetooth handsfree calling support, pinch-to-zoom mapping and a newfangled voice recognition system. You'll also get the full suite of LIVE services, including TomTom HD traffic, local search, fuel prices and weather updates. It should be noted that said services rely on AT&T's wireless network, and this unit marks the first time that US motorists will have access to TomTom's HD Traffic. It'll hit retail in mid-2011 for $349, with a "trial subscription" of LIVE thrown in gratis. Moving on, there's the new VIA series of mid-range PNDs. The VIA 1405 and 1435 both sport 4.3-inch panels, while the VIA 1505 and 1535 inch up to 5.0-inches. The fourpack will be available with or without lifetime maps / traffic, and you'll get voice recognition and Bluetooth handsfree calling to boot. These will ship in mid-2011 as well with prices starting at $169, and you can catch the full release just after the break. %Gallery-112729%
TomTom rolls out Go Live 1000 series navigation units
We got an early look at TomTom's Go Live 1000 navigation unit back in April, and it looks like you'll soon finally be able to get your hands on it as well -- if you're in Europe, that is. The company's just announced that the 4.3-inch GPS will be available this month, and will soon be followed by the Go Live 1005 in October, which adds a larger 5-inch screen. One of the big selling points here is that both screens are of the capacitive variety (complete with TomTom's so-called "Fluid Touch"), and you'll also get a nifty new magnetic windshield mount that lets you easily remove the device when you leave the car. Otherwise, you can expect to get a year of free "HD Traffic" information with each, along with TomTom Weather, IQ Routes, and Local Search with Google, among some other standard fare. Still no word on a release over here, but you can look for the 1000 and 1005 to run £250 and £300, respectively, in the UK (or roughly $385 and $460).
GoLive MystiKats complicates playing dolls
These days Engadget is a male-only operation (it wasn't always that way), so unfortunately we don't have a female perspective on 21st century dolls. That said, based on our thick-skulled testosterone-infused research, we've just come across a new concept doll that strikes us as a bit too involved for a toy that can be perfectly enjoyable even when simple. The new GoLive MystiKats Interactive Fashion System combines regular dolls, a dock, and a proprietary handheld media player that takes "themed cartridges." (According to the company's site, each of the four characters have particular powers, like telekinesis, which were bestowed upon them by a mysterious "kat" on their 18th birthdays.) Once you place a doll in the dock (or to use the company lingo, the "GoLive Share"), then connect the media player, the doll will "come to life," allowing you to play with the doll, um, on a TV screen. But there's one catch: the "interactive game play" only lasts for five hours. Now we're no experts, but we'd be willing to bet that we easily spent more than five hours interacting with our analog He-Man and G.I. Joe dolls action figures as kids. However, maybe that's the whole part of the shrewd plan: suckering parents into buying more cartridges. Either way, GoLive MystiKats are supposed to be available online and in stores for $100, but it's unclear how many accessories you'll get for that single Benjamin.[Via GizMag]
Adobe sets us straight: GoLive and Freehand are not going anywhere (yet)
Remember that post we had yesterday (ok, fine: I wrote it) that Adobe was giving pink slips to GoLive and Freehand? As it turns out, that might not exactly have been true. Macworld reported last night that a true-blue Adobe rep laid it out on the table: "Adobe plans to continue to support GoLive and Freehand and develop these products based on our customer's needs."However, another quote doesn't cast any good vibes on the future of these products in the long run: "Clearly Dreamweaver and Illustrator are market leading when it comes to web design/development and vector graphics/illustration... Customers should expect Adobe to concentrate our development efforts around these two products with regards to future innovation and Creative Suite integration".Take from that what you wish, but it sounds like the GoLive-haters from my previous post and the Freehand-lovers will still have some hatin' and lovin' to do, at least for a little while longer.
Adobe to drop GoLive, Freehand
The Mac Observer is reporting that Adobe announced at Adobe Live that the company is giving the axe to GoLive and Freehand for CS3, due out spring of 2007. Before the Adobe-Macromedia merger, GoLive was Adobe's Dreamweaver (and a far superior product, might I add), and Freehand was Macromedia's Illustrator (here's hoping Adobe means every word of their comment that "Dreamweaver will get a new interface"). I'm sure that since this decision was made some time ago, Adobe has had extra development hands to spend on making an Intel-native Creative Suite other projects.If this announcement disappoints you, just remember something John Gruber said in his translation of Adobe's PR announcement and FAQs of the merger: "Competition is overrated - it only benefits customers".
Make a request for Adobe CS3
We're sure you've heard the news by now: No universal version of the Adobe pro apps until 2007. The good news is that Adobe is currently taking your suggestions for the upcoming Creative Suite 3. You've got the ear of one of the world's software giants, so speak up.[Via creativebits]
