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Nike+ SportWatch GPS now on sale, $199 adds geek cred to your workout routine
Wrist-mounted iPod nano not quite the running companion of which you'd originally dreamed? This Nike+ SportsWatch GPS will be happy to take its place. We spotted the TomTom-branded fitness watch at CES this year, and now it's formally on sale -- though unfortunately for a price far steeper than those of its immediate ancestors. Of course, the $199 band isn't just a replacement for the Nike+ iPod system, it also uses that onboard GPS to keep track of where you run, much like the Nike+ GPS app but without the necessity for an iPhone 4 bouncing around your person. Did we mention it's also a watch? [Thanks, John S.]
TomTom VIA 1435, 1535, 1405 and 1505 navigators start shipping in North America
Remember that line of VIA navigators we peeked back at CES? Looks like today's your lucky day if you were holding off to procure one. TomTom just announced retail availability of the VIA 1505, 1535, 1405 and 1435 in North America, and all of 'em can also be picked up with lifetime maps and / or lifetime traffic. The 14xx models will be boasting a 4.3-inch panel, while the 15xx editions gain a 5-inch display; the whole lot includes the company's new fold-and-go EasyPort mount, and variants do seem to be available with Bluetooth and advanced voice recognition. Look for the gang to start populating shelves this weekend for $169 and up... if you can manage to find your local Best Buy, that is.
TomTom puts its HD Traffic service data in a browser, lets everyone use it for free
We've gotten lost and found our way home again courtesy of many a navigation system over the years, but if ever we're battling not just confusing roadways but also unpredictable traffic patterns it's TomTom we want on our side. The HD Traffic service the company offers is always spot-on, and now you can access that constantly-updated and really quite detailed data from your web browser. However, there's a catch: right now it's only available in Europe and South Africa. Also, the interface is a bit clunky. Oh, and the presentation isn't nearly as nice as on the company's mobile apps. But it is all free, and so you really can't complain too much about any of that. Full details in the PR below.
TomTom's GO 2435 / 2535 PNDs get quiet teaser, we're left wondering what's new
The very busy folks over at TomTom have just squeezed out two new sets of PNDs sporting touchscreens, voice recognition, and a "new, intuitive user interface," but despite the company's high profile on the GPS market, the GO 2435, which works a 4.3-inch screen, and the GO 2535, a 5-inch iteration, slipped out without much ado. Both PNDs come in three versions: the "T" series supports lifetime traffic updates, the "M" line offers lifetime map updates, and the "MT" edition features -- you guessed it -- lifetime traffic and map updates. Thus far, the basic specs resemble those of previous GO PNDs -- both tout Bluetooth calling, 4GB flash storage, and 3 hours of battery life -- leaving us to wonder what's up with this "new, intuitive user interface?" Among other things, TomTom is still mum on price and availability, which means we'll have to wait until they speak up to give you all the dirty details.
Route 66 Maps + Navigation brings AR to the road, keeps drivers' eyes on their phones (video)
It's been a good four years since we reported anything on Route 66, but with a new collaboration with TomTom on the horizon, these bearers of PNDs have once again sparked our interest. At the heart of the partnership is a new Android app, appropriately titled Route 66 Maps + Navigation, that brings augmented reality to GPS navigation -- specifically, a feature called Follow Me that allows real drivers to follow virtual cars turn for turn. Follow Me uses your smartphone or tablet's camera to display real-time video of the road ahead, and places a virtual 3D car directly in front of you on your route -- the car's rear lights indicate when to turn right or left. Maps + Navigation also includes simultaneous voice directions in 57 languages, up-to-date TomTom maps of 100 countries with 3D graphics, and multitouch gesture control. You can get your hands on the app via Android Market soon, or check out the rather cheesy demo video after the jump.
Navigation app sales and Verizon friendliness
There's a flurry of GPS related news today, so let's get right on with it. First, one of our favorite nav apps, Navigon, is having a pretty big sale to celebrate its milestone of 2 million sales worldwide. If you've been lusting after a Navigon app, there's a 4-day, 50% off sale beginning today. Regional versions for the US are $14.99. The US-Canada app is $29.99. The USA-only version is $24.99. Current users can take advantage of the promotion as well, with prices for in-app purchases of Traffic Live, Panorama View 3D and Zagat Survey for MobileNavigator iPhone at 25 percent off. On the TomTom front, that excellent nav solution is on sale for $34.99 for the US version. The US-Canada app is $39.99. The sale has no end date. TomTom also notes that new iPhone users on Verizon will be seeing a "connect to GPS" warning when they start up. TomTom advises users to just hit continue, and all will be well. The glitch doesn't affect your navigation and will be fixed ASAP.
Tom Tom: Smartphones and nav devices are complementary
As one of our last appointments on the floor of CES, we went out to a meeting room way back in the back of the South Hall to talk to Tom Murray, Senior Vice President of Market Development for Tom Tom -- one of the leading companies selling navigation devices and software. We've covered Tom Tom and its products many times here on TUAW before, so it was great to finally sit down with the company and talk about their business. Perhaps the most interesting thing Murray told me last week was that the company doesn't see the iPhone (and other smartphone devices) as competitors to its portable navigation device (PND) business. Instead, Murray sees Apple's platform and others like it as "complementary" to the traditional GPS devices that Tom Tom makes and sells. Murray did admit that the rise of smartphones has "had an impact on our core PND category," but given that Tom Tom has found success with a number of regional apps on the iOS Store, Murray says that "the iPhone has been accretive to our business." The biggest device for Tom Tom at the show was the Go 2505m Live unit. It will arrive in April, and it will bring a number of improvements, including a service called HD Traffic, which not only pulls in information on roads all over the US generated by Tom Tom's own devices, but connects to "partner vehicles" (like delivery and fleet vehicles) to convey real-time information and accurate routing as you drive around. That service isn't on the iPhone app yet (in the US, anyway -- it is up and running in Europe, we were told), but Murray says it would be "reasonable to assume" that kind of information will eventually find its way into the company's iPhone app.
Nike+ SportWatch GPS with TomTom hands-on
We nearly burned an actual calorie at Nike's booth here at a CES event this evening as we powered through a demo of the company's new Nike+ SportsWatch GPS. That "GPS" part is important, see, because the watch was developed in cooperation with the navigation wizards at TomTom -- in fact, a TomTom logo is prominently featured below the dot matrix LCD. Really, the SportsWatch GPS isn't much different than other high-end GPS fitness watches on the market, it's just got that typical dash of Nike style in the case, the band, and in the hipster lower-case UI. Our second feature might be the "slap" gesture -- slapping the display enables the backlight or indicates a lap while you're in the middle of a run. Our favorite feature, though, might be the PC connectivity: you flip a hinge on one end of the band to reveal a USB plug and you're good to go. As with other Nike+ products, you can store your runs in the system's online community or let the watch collect up to 50 runs offline. Follow the break for the press release and a video demo, which we cordially ask you to avoid watching unless you're on... you know, a StairMaster or something. %Gallery-112856%
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's Map Share update brings crowdsourced navigation to iPhone GPS app
Buckled early and sprung for TomTom's iPhone GPS app, did you? If so, that very app just got a lot better today, as version 1.6 has brought TomTom's Map Share -- a crowdsourcing aspect that'll keep your maps more up-to-date than you ever thought possible. Map Share enables iPhone users to make changes instantly to their own maps and to benefit from free map updates made by the TomTom community and verified by the company itself. That means that users will now be able to edit street names, set driving directions and block / unblock streets directly on their maps, and if you're kind enough, you can share those updates with the rest of the TomTom community. Furthermore, the app will automatically check for new verified updates (including turn restrictions, speed limit changes and crossing changes), so the previously tried-and-true "my maps were old!" excuse will sadly no longer work. Give and take, as they say.
Castle Crashers' Red Princess now decreeing TomTom directions
There are plenty of homebrewed, game-themed voices for the TomTom GPS platform, but not many real developers take the time to turn their games' characters into tiny, digital cartographers. That's why we love The Behemoth: The studio recently made a TomTom voice out of Castle Crashers' Red Princess.
TomTom busts out GO 2405 TM and GO 2505 TM navigational devices
TomTom's just launched two new navigational devices, the GO 2405 TM and the GO 2505 TM. These units boast several updated software features, including 'instant' route planning (which is actually continuous routing), and a redesigned interface which makes use of pinch-to-zoom and swiping gestures. The GO 2405 TM has a 4.3-inch display and will run you $299, while the 2505 TM is a 5-incher and retails for $319. Both are available now at Amazon, Best Buy, and TomTom.com, and will be available at retail stores sometime in mid-2011. Full press release is below.
TomTom maps get loaded onto HTC Locations, promise 'zero-wait navigation experience'
Look out, Google Maps Navigation -- here comes a little friendly competition from across the pond. While we'd heard the term HTC Locations bandied about a bit during the company's London launch of the Desire HD, now it looks as if both HTC and TomTom are ready to make their newfound friendship official. TomTom will be partnering with HTC in order to provide maps for phones loaded with HTC Locations, which is hailed as a new mapping system that results in a "zero-wait navigation experience." Initially, at least, it'll only be available on the new HTC Desire HD and HTC Desire Z smartphones in Europe and Asia, but the outfit promises to extend that to a wide variety of future phones and geographies. It should be noted, however, that while map and location content come preloaded on HTC Locations, turn-by-turn by guidance has to be purchased separately.
TomTom App for iPhone hits version 1.5, adds further iPhone 4 support and 'navigate-to-photo'
TomTom was quick off the mark with multitasking in its iPhone app -- and it's hard to think of an app other than Pandora that benefits more from its inclusion -- but TomTom isn't stopping there. The new 1.5 version adds enhanced graphics to match the new iPhone 4 screen resolution, along with "faster, more-responsive navigation" on that handset. Not good enough for you? Try the new navigate-to-photo feature, a not-a-gimmick-at-all addition that allows you to select a geotagged photo as your destination instead of messing around with pesky addresses and facts. The update is free for existing users, newcomers will have to shell out $50 for the US version.
TomTom for iPhone now lets your photo gallery be your address book
This is a feature in that "gee, I wish I'd of thought of that" category. The latest update to the TomTom app (version 1.5) lets you select any photo that has been geo-tagged and navigate to that location. It's great for finding that favorite picnic spot, or that great photo location. I tried the feature out today, navigating to 2 locations I had in my iPhone photo roll. In each case, the app showed a map of the location, and with a couple of clicks I was on my way. The app also now supports the iPhone 4 Retina display and the speed of the app is supposed to be faster but I didn't see anything dramatic. TomTom U.S.A and U.S. & Canada apps are currently available for $49.99 and $59.99, respectively. It's a really full featured way to navigate. Navigating to a photo is a really great idea, and I'd like to see some of the other nav apps add this feature as well. %Gallery-105173%
Cafepress teams with TomTom to slather your GPS in color, make it totally unsellable
Has Colorware started a revolution that's now impossible to stop? Here's hoping the answer is contrary to the obvious. TomTom has -- for reasons unknown -- decided it best to give consumers the option of coating their future navigator in... well, whatever they want. We aren't generally ones to gripe about choices, but the demonstration photo here definitely caters to those in favor of all things vivacious. The outfit has teamed with Cafepress in order to make the magic happen on "select models," and amazingly, privilege of destroying any and all resale value will cost you absolutely nothing. Talk about an incentive to buy.
Sony brings TomTom to US-bound XNV-770BT and XNV-660BT in-dash head units
We heard back at IFA that Sony was making the absolutely brilliant move of incorporating a market leading navigational system into its Xplod line of in-dash A/V units, and now that love is being shipped across the Atlantic (or the Pacific, if you're taking the scenic route) in the form of the XNV-770BT and XNV-660BT. The beautiful Sony / TomTom partnership will soon be assisting clueless American motorists when both of the previously mentioned units ship in November, with the 770BT offering a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen and the 660BT stepping down to a 6.1-incher. They'll both feature rear USB ports for iDevice connections, support for multi-channel audio playback and most importantly, pre-loaded maps of US and Canadian roadways. TomTom claims that its maps offer more than one million more miles of roads than other GPS brands in America alone, and buyers will also be treated to familiar TomTom extras like IQ Routes, Advanced Lane Guidance, MapShare and six million POIs. We still wish Garmin would've received the nod here, but it's certainly better than some white label system -- check 'em soon for $1,300 and $1,000 in order of mention.
TomTom shows signs of life with Traffic Manifesto, aims to shorten European travel times by 5 percent
We're actually surprised that TomTom's still going strong after Google and Nokia unleashed their free satnav offerings many months ago. If you need some convincing, try this: following the launch of its Go Live 1000 series earlier this month, TomTom has just published a manifesto on its mission to encourage "better use of existing road capacity," and eventually "reduce journey times for everyone by up to 5 percent where there is traffic." Actually, by "everyone" TomTom means Europe, and according to its computer simulations, this would apparently require 10 percent of the continent's drivers to be hooked up to its HD Traffic active load-balancing service. There's no time frame given here, but it'll probably be awhile -- in the video after the break, CEO Harold Goddijn admits that out of TomTom's 45 million drivers, only about 1 million (or 2.2 percent) are currently connected to its live services. That said, this figure might get a little boost once TomTom starts providing free traffic data to radio stations and TV channels as part of its manifesto (in return for some cheap publicity, of course). On a related note, TomTom has also just rolled out HD Traffic 4.0, touting its "higher accuracy, reporting up to 200 percent more traffic jams during rush hours than previously." Existing HD Traffic customers from eight nations -- including Switzerland -- need not fiddle with anything to utilize the new service, and by year's end seven more countries will join the party. Meanwhile, we're still waiting on TomTom's own take on the App Store -- who knows if the company will even survive long enough to reach its goals. We kid, we kid. Or do we?%Gallery-103666%
TomTom PRO 7100 and 9100 formally announced, destined for European trucking fleets
We're afraid we can't tell you any more about the consumer-facing TomTom Go 7100 and 9100 that surfaced in FCC filings last week, but if you're interested in Pro models that sport the same digits for your business fleet, TomTom's being slightly more accommodating. The Pro 7100 looks like it's going to replace the Go 7000 presently used in the company's business-to-business lineup at €329 (about $439), while the Pro 9100 adds an integrated modem and SIM card (letting you ditch the TomTom Link module typically required to monitor your fleet) for €399 ($532). Find both ready to guide trucks across forty-five European countries in the fourth quarter of the year. PR after the break.
TomTom Go Live 1000 plus future Magellan units hit FCC
Surprise surprise, the Webkit interface-packing TomTom Go Live 1000 just hit European shelves earlier this month and now it's popped up at the FCC complete with a user manual and a posse of mysterious brethren dubbed the GO 1000, GO 7100 and GO LIVE 9100. Clearly the lack of Live in two of the titles implies they won't feature TomTom's real-time traffic updates, but it's still unclear how any will compare to the Go Live 1000's 4.3-inch capacitive touch screen and 500MHz ARM11 processor hardware-- which we experienced mixed results using during our early hands on with a prototype. Two new Magellan models listed as the RoadMate 9020 and 9055 also have surfaced with very few details, however considering their high model numbers we're guessing they'll be top of the line devices. Looking at the ruler in the included 9055 photos does roughly hint it has a 5-inch screen though -- exciting, we know. There's also no mention in any of the documentation about new systems to prevent dumb couples from off-roading in the Oregon wilderness. So much for safety in new technology eh?
