TomTom

For other uses, see Tom tom (disambiguation).
TomTom NV
Type Naamloze vennootschap
Traded as Euronext: TOM2
Industry Consumer electronics
Founded 1991
Founder(s) Peter-Frans Pauwels, Pieter Geelen
Headquarters Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key people Harold Goddijn (CEO), Karel Vuursteen (Chairman of the supervisory board)
Products GPS navigation software and devices, digital maps
Revenue €1.521 billion (2010)[1]
Operating income €186.3 million (2010)[1]
Profit €107.8 million (2010)[1]
Total assets €2.623 billion (end 2010)[1]
Total equity €1.142 billion (end 2010)[1]
Employees 3,500 (2010)[1]
Subsidiaries Tele Atlas
Website www.tomtom.com

TomTom NV (Euronext: TOM2) is a Dutch manufacturer of automotive navigation systems, including both stand-alone units and software for personal digital assistants and mobile telephones. It is the leading manufacturer of navigation systems in Europe.[2] TomTom's customer service is located in Amsterdam, Netherlands. TomTom was a follow-up of Palmtop Software, founded by Peter-Frans Pauwels and Pieter Geelen in 1991.

In 2008, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas, a digital map maker, for €2.9 billion.

Contents

History

The company was founded in 1991 and until 1996 developed b2b applications such as meter reading and bar-code reading. Subsequently the company moved its focus to PDA software for the consumer market. Early mapping software included EnRoute and Citymaps.

The company released its first navigator product, TomTom Navigator in 2002, for Windows CE-powered PDAs, bundled with car cradle and GPS receiver.[3]

Version 2 of Navigator followed in 2003.

TomTom Navigator 3 for Windows CE followed in March 2004. This added live Traffic data (a chargeable subscription service), which used the phone/PDA's data connection to access up-to-date traffic information

January 2004 saw the first release of TomTom's NavCore product, TomTom Navigator for PalmOS. NavCore, still used in current products, is a cross-platform navigation engine. Their first all-in-one device, the TomTom Go, was released based on NavCore (version 4.1) in March 2004. It featured a 3.5" 320x240 screen, 200 MHz CPU, 32MB of RAM and integrated SD reader.[4] It substantially undercut the cost of competing all-in-one solutions (priced at £499 in the UK[5]), and by year-end formed 60% of the company's revenue. Compared with Navigator 3, some features were still missing from NavCore.

TomTom Mobile (for non-touch-screen Windows CE devices) was released in Q3 2004, based on NavCore.

NavCore 5 was released in March 2005, unifying the TomTom feature and codebase. NavCore 5 products were: Navigator 5 for Windows CE and PalmOS, TomTom Mobile 5, and the updated GO models, the 300, 500 and 700.

For the version 5 release, the Traffic subscription service was expanded and rebranded 'TomTom Plus', which added weather information as well as the ability to download new voices and other content.

All the new GO models featured Bluetooth in order to connect to a mobile phone for TomTomPlus. The 500 and 700 added hands-free calling, a faster CPU and expanded mapping and storage.[6]

TomTom expanded their range of NavCore 5 devices with the ruggedized Rider (for motorcycle users), and the budget ONE, in late 2005. Both devices featured the SirfStar III GPS chipset, for radically improved GPS reception over previous devices. The ONE was also significantly slimmer than the earlier GO devices, although this did come at the expense of reduced battery life.[7]

NavCore 6 was released in April 2006, in the shape of the GO 510, 710 and 910. The 910 surpassed the previous x00 series in functionality by providing MP3 player and text-to-speech for road names, while all models featured hands-free calling via bluetooth, new RDS-TMC traffic support and 4" wide screens. The 510 and 710 stored maps on SD card, while the 910 featured a 20GB hard drive.[8] TomTom HOME, software for managing a TomTom from a PC was first released to accompany the x10 series.

NavCore 6 was made available as an update to v5 all-in-one devices in summer 2006, while Navigator users had to wait until August 2006, an indication that PDA navigation software, highly vulnerable to piracy, was no longer a priority for TomTom. Navigator users were not given text-to-speech, a feature restricted to 910 users.

September 2006 saw the release of the revised NavCore v6-powered ONE.[9] An updated RIDER was released in May 2007, alongside a 4.3" widescreen ONE XL. Aside from the larger screen, this added support for an RDS-TMC receiver to the existing ONE offering. The primary difference between the ONE XL and the 510 and 710 was that the ONE XL lacked hands-free calling capabilities but had a slightly larger screen, a slower CPU, fewer bundled accessories and a lower pricepoint.

NavCore v7 first emerged in the GO x20 range in Q3 2007. The x20s introduced the 4.3" screen of the ONE XL to the GO range and added built-in flash storage along with the SD card slot. New features in v7 included Map Share, allowing drivers to notify TomTom of closed roads, and for other drivers to share those updates and speech recognition. In addition, all x20s included FM transmitter and an MP3 player. Launch models were the 520 and 720, while the 920, released Q4 2007, added Enhanced Positioning Technology, which estimated vehicle position when out of GPS range such as when travelling through tunnels. Text-to-speech was standard across the range.

The v7-powered ONE third edition removed Bluetooth, and hence TomTom PLUS, from the v2 ONE, relying on FM-TMC for traffic. It included Map Share but lacked both text-to-speech and speech recognition. The ONE XL HD Traffic, featuring integrated Vodafone GSM SIM card for internet-linked 'HD Traffic' data, and the ONE XL-S, which included text-to-speech, were released year-end 2007. In addition, NavCore 7 was released for all older TomTom all-in-one devices (subject to purchasing a new, compatible map).

Some versions of the HTC Touch Diamond phone came with TomTom Navigator 7, from May 2008. TomTom said that they would not make a standalone release of the software, but in 2009 reversed this policy and Navigator 7 was made available for general sale. Navigator 7 does not support text-to-speech or speech recognition. TomTom have not produced any further versions of Navigator.

TomTom released the GO x30 range in April 2008 based on NavCore 8. New software features included IQ Routes, which routes based on average recorded speeds, rather than speed limits, and Advanced Lane Guidance, an on-screen representation of the correct lane to take. As with the x20, the 930 was distinguished by the inclusion of Enhanced Positioning Technology. GSM HD Traffic receivers, plugging into the car's cigarette lighter, added HD Traffic to the GO range.

Refreshed ONE and XL models were released in May 2008, still based on NavCore 7, featuring an improved speaker.

NavCore 8 updates for NavCore 7 devices, including the ONE v3 and v4, were released in June 2008, giving x20 users (only) IQ Routes and Advanced Lane Guidance, subject to purchasing new maps.

The GO x40 series was released in Autumn 2008 featuring NavCore 8.2. [10] The x40 series was branded 'LIVE' with built-in GSM SIM card, for connected features including HD Traffic, Google Local search, real time speed camera updates, and the facility to search for the cheapest fuel on route. In addition, IQ Routes were made time-sensitive, so that historic speeds were recorded by time of day. x20 and x30 users were given a free update, subject to purchasing an up-to-date map, to support the new IQ Routes 24/7.

The GO range was updated again in September 2009 with the 550, 750 and 950 LIVE featuring NavCore 9. Compared with the x40, changes were relatively minor, and indeed both MP3 player and FM transmitter were removed from the 940 to the 950.

TomTom have released a variety of lower-end models, including a 5" XXL, featuring variously many of the features from the GO x40 and x50, including LIVE, IQ Routes and Advanced Lane Guidance. Each lack (micro)SD slot, being restricted to a maximum of 2GB of internal storage, bluetooth hands-free, and voice control.

TomTom Business Solutions is the business-to-business division of TomTom and has been operating since 2005. This arm of TomTom specialises in telematics; providing vehicle tracking, navigation, two-way communications, job scheduling and report log capabilities to organisations. In 2010, it announced it was providing its service to over 125,000 vehicles operating in Europe.[11]

Tele Atlas purchase

On 23 July 2007, TomTom made a €2 billion offer for Tele Atlas, a digital map maker, which was accepted by the Tele Atlas board.[12] This was then trumped by a €2.3 billion offer from Cayman Islands-based rival Garmin on 31 October 2007, effectively initiating a bidding war for Tele Atlas.[13] TomTom responded by upping their bid to €2.9 billion, an offer which was again approved by the board of Tele Atlas.[14] Garmin had been expected to counterbid once again: with Tele Atlas' main global rival Navteq subject to a takeover bid from Nokia, the company had stated that it did not wish both companies to fall into the hands of rivals.[14] However, after striking a content agreement with Navteq through to the year 2015, Garmin withdrew its takeover offer, clearing the way for TomTom.[15] On 4 December 2007, TomTom shareholders approved the takeover.[16]

Patent infringement lawsuit

Main article: Microsoft v. TomTom

In February 2009, Microsoft filed a patent infringement lawsuit against TomTom alleging that the device maker's products infringe on patents related to Microsoft's FAT32 filesystem. As some TomTom products are based on Linux, this marked the first time that Microsoft tried to enforce its patents against the Linux platform.[17] On 19 March TomTom filed a countersuit alleging Microsoft is infringing 3 of its patents.[18]

The two parties announced an out-of-court settlement on 30 March 2009. TomTom paid Microsoft an undisclosed sum and will reduce functionality in its products, while Microsoft did not have to pay for the TomTom patents.[19]

Today TomTom uses native Linux filesystems such as ext2 rather than the older FAT32 which had the patent issue.

According to open-source evangelist Jeremy Allison, other vendors who used Linux and FAT32 were not sued by Microsoft because of secret cross-licensing agreements, covered by NDAs,[20] whereas such secret clauses are forbidden by the General Public license.[21]

In 2002 TeleAtlas expansion into Africa led them to buying 51% of the local South African digital map provider MapIT. Following the takeover in 2007 TomTom Africa now remains a shareholder of MapIT and is the business partner in the B2B/enterprise segment, Internet and fleet management markets. MapIT supplies technologies enabling asset tracking, fleet management, business intelligence, marketing analysis, geocoding, address validation, mobile applications and web services.

Products

TomTom offers three types of products: navigation devices, in-dashboard navigation and car control services and navigation software for installation on mobile devices. In-dashboard systems are released for the automotive market. The navigation devices and portable devices with installed software are referred to as units.[22] TomTom Business Solutions products offer telematics services for fleet management, aimed at the business market. The latest of these is the GO 9000 which provides telematics services in a portable unit the same size as the TomTom sat navs.

TomTom units provide a flying interface with an oblique bird's-eye view of the road, as well as a direct-overhead map view. They use a GPS receiver to show the precise location and provide visual and spoken directions on how to drive to the chosen destination. Certain TomTom systems also integrate with mobile phones using Bluetooth, traffic congestion maps or to actually take calls and read aloud SMS messages.

In most cases, the differences between the different models is on a software level. The hardware (at least inside the unit) is relatively similar across the entire range, with the exception of certain functionality such as FM transmission, Bluetooth, handsfree calling (requires microphone) and enhanced positioning technology (done through motion sensors in the device).

Because of the restriction being mostly software based, some people have been able to upgrade their software to a top end model, using low end hardware (such as a ONE XL or GO 510), and getting most of the functionality of a brand new top of the range GO 940.

The global slogan for TomTom is "the smart choice in personal navigation". In the United States and Canada, they currently use "Go confidently". The UK slogan is "Find your way the easy way". A past slogan used in the United States was "The number one-one GPS-S in the world-world".

TomTom GO

The TomTom GO is an all-in-one GPS navigation device. It has a touch screen, speaker, USB port, internal Lithium ion battery, and comes with TomTom HOME software. It charges, synchronizes, and updates its data by connecting to a Windows or Mac PC running the TomTom HOME software via USB cable. Most models (and all new models) have Bluetooth transceivers that allow connection to a smartphone. This allows it to make and receive calls. Bluetooth equipped models are able to receive traffic (using TMC, as the TomTom Go Live 1000)[23] and weather updates using the TomTom Plus service on phones with DUN data service.

TomTom ONE and ONE XL

The TomTom One is the base model for automobile navigation. The difference between the TomTom One XL and the TomTom One is the size of the touch screen (4.3 in/110 mm vs 3.5 in/89 mm). Neither model of the One contains the added functions included in the Go models, such as Bluetooth hands-free calling and MP3 Jukebox. However, the One is able to receive traffic and weather updates using the TomTom Plus service when paired via Bluetooth with a mobile phone with a DUN data service. The reduced software capability means less demand on the hardware, which allows the One to be sold at a significantly lower price than the Go. The XL is also available as a Live version with integrated LIVE services.

TomTom RIDER

Portable water resistant models for motorcycle and motorscooter users.

TomTom NAVIGATOR

TomTom Navigator is a GPS navigation software product for personal digital assistants (PDAs), Palm devices, Pocket PCs, and some smartphones. TomTom Navigator 6 replaced the earlier TomTom Mobile 5.2. It can use GPS receivers built into the device or external (e.g., Bluetooth-connected) receivers..

As of 2011 Navigator 7 is the latest release of this software, released as a part of the software that came with the June 2008 HTC Touch Diamond. Frequently used functions can be added to the main screen of the program, and users can report map corrections and share them with other users.

Navigator supports touch screens; devices without touch screens use a cursor to input data. The software is available on SD card and DVD. It runs on a number of devices listed on the TomTom website, but will run successfully on many unlisted devices using the Windows Mobile operating system.

The DVD version includes a DVD, printed 15-character product code, Quick Start Guide, Licensing Agreement, a poster with a picture diagram for setup procedure of DVD version and SD card version, and an advertisement for associated TomTom PLUS services. The DVD contains installation software for TomTom Home, software for mobile devices, licenses, manuals, maps, and voices. The software for mobile devices includes CAB files for Palm, PPC, Symbian, and UIQ3.[24]

List of TomTom navigational devices

Product Release date GPS chipset CPU RAM Internal flash memory Memory card slot Screen Bluetooth TMC connection FM transmitter Other
GO May 2004 SiRFstarII 200 MHz 32 MB None SD / MMC 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 4,096 colours No No No
GO 300 March 2005 SiRFstarII 200 MHz 32 MB None SD / MMC 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 4,096 colours Yes No No
GO 500 March 2005 SiRFstarII 400 MHz 32 MB None SD / MMC 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 4,096 colours Yes No No
GO 700 March 2005 SiRFstarII 400 MHz 64 MB 2.5 GB hard drive None 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 4,096 colours Yes No No
Rider October 2005 SiRFstarIII 380 MHz 32 MB None SD 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels Yes Yes No Water resistant
Rider2 May 2006 SiRFstarIII 380 MHz 32 MB None SD 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels Yes Yes No Water resistant
ONE V1 November 2005 SiRFstarIII 380 MHz 32 MB none SD 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No
GO 510 April 2006 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB None SD / MMC 4.0" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes No
GO 710 April 2006 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB None SD / MMC 4.0" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes No Voice input, MP3
GO 910 April 2006 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 20 GB hard drive None 4.0" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes No Voice input, MP3
ONE V2 September 2006 SiRFstarIII 266 MHz 32 MB none, 512 MB, 1 GB SD / MMC 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes No
ONE XL May 2007 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB none, 512 MB, 1 GB SD / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes (not for cellphone) Yes No
GO 520 August 2007 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 512 MB, 1 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes Yes
GO 720 August 2007 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 2 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes Yes Voice input, MP3
GO 920 October 2007 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 4 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes Yes Voice input, MP3, EPT
ONE Third Edition September 2007 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 512 MB, 1 GB none 3.5" 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes No
ONE XL HDT November 2007 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 1GB SD / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels No Yes No
ONE XL-S November 2007 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 64 MB 1GB SD / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes (not for cellphone) Yes No
GO 530 April 2008 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB, 2 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes Yes Voice input, MP3
GO 730 April 2008 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes Yes Voice input, MP3
GO 930 April 2008 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 4 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes Yes Voice input, MP3, EPT
ONE V4 May 2008 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB None 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No
XL May 2008 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB None 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels No Yes(USB) No
GO 630 October 2008 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 2 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes No Voice input
GO 540 LIVE October 2008 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB ,2 GB microSD 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No Voice input
GO 740 LIVE October 2008 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB microSD 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No Voice input
GO 940 LIVE October 2008 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB microSD 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) Yes Voice input, MP3, EPT
ONE IQ Routes Edition April 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No
ONE 140 July 2009 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB None 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No
ONE XL340 August 2009 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB None 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No
XL IQ Routes Edition April 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No
XXL530S September 2009 SiRFstarIV 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 5" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No Text-to-speech
XXL540S November 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 5" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No
GO 550 LIVE [25] September 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB microSD 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No Voice input
GO 750 LIVE September 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 2 GB microSD 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No Voice input
GO 950 LIVE September 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 4 GB microSD 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No Voice input, EPT
GO 1000 LIVE September 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz ARM11 128 MB 4 GB None 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 1005 LIVE November 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz ARM11 128 MB 4 GB None 5" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 1015 LIVE November 2011 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA  ? 128 MB 8 GB microSD 5" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes(USB) No Text-to-speech, Voice input
XL IQ Routes Edition 2 April 2010 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 1 GB None 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No Text-to-speech
Urban Rider July 2010 Broadcom BCM4750 380 MHz 32 MB 2 GB None 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels Yes No No Water resistant
Start December 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 32 MB 2 GB None 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No No No
Start2 April 2010 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 3.5" 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No Black or white, Text-to-speech
Via 110 November 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz 128 MB 2 GB None 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No Yes(USB) No Text-to-speech
Via 120 November 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz 128 MB 4 GB None 4.3" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes(USB) No Text-to-speech
Via 125 November 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz 128 MB 4 GB None 5" 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes(USB) No Text-to-speech,
voice input
TomTom App for iPhone August 2009 Assisted GPS chip in the iPhone N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A No Voice Input
TomTom Car Kit For iPhone October 2009 SiRFstarIII N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A No Voice Input

SD Secure Digital (max. 2 GB)

SDHC Secure Digital High Capacity (4-32 GB)

Micro-SD Micro Secure Digital High Capacity (max. 32 GB)[26]

TomTom HOME

TomTom HOME is a 32-bit PC application that allows synchronization/updates to be sent to the mobile device. The container states that it is compatible with Mac OS × v10.3 or greater and Windows ME/2000/XP/Vista/7 (see above reference). After installation it performs an automatic software update. It then has options to choose a device to be associated to and activate the software. A caution is given that the software only allows one device to be associated to an email address and the associated device can be changed only after six months since the previous association. TomTom HOME version 2.0 and above is implemented on the Xulrunner platform. With version 2.2, TomTom HOME added a content-sharing platform where users can download and upload content to personalize their device such as voices, start-up images, POI sets, etc.

Despite it being based on the cross-platform Xulrunner, TomTom Home currently lacks support for Linux[27] However the devices can still be read in a Linux OS as a disk drive. There is even software made by the community to manage some functions of the TomTom. [28]

TomTom Mobile

Navigation software for several mobile phones. Discontinued after release 5.2; Navigator, which does not support all the phones that Mobile did, is the nearest equivalent. Mobile 5.2 cannot use maps later than v6.60 build 1223; this and earlier program versions are not compatible with all map versions, particularly other builds of version 6.

TomTom for iOS devices

A version for the iPhone was announced at the Apple WWDC Keynote speech in early June 2009, and released internationally on 15 August 2009 in the Apple App Store, with various map packs for different regions.[29] TomTom Vice President of Marketing Development gave information in an interview by Macworld in July 2009.[30]

Currently the app works with both the iPhone (models 3G, 3GS, 4, and 4S), and the iPod Touch (all models), and there are two separate TomTom car kits for each device.[31][32][33] The current maps available in each countries' app stores varies according to language availability of the app itself, the country of the app store, and thus differing region group map packs are available. The current sets available in English (via the UK & US app stores) are as follows:

Africa
Australasia
Asia
Europe
Middle East
North & South America

Some keen observers have noted that both Turkey, but more especially Greece, are missing from the larger Europe map pack, most likely bacause of the AppStore's App size limitation of 2 GB. Both maps are available separately. Furthermore, Iceland is missing altogether and is not available in any map package sold by TomTom.

Services

TomTom PLUS

The company offers a line of fee-based services under the name TomTom PLUS, which include services to warn drivers about speed cameras, provide weather updates, change voices and provide traffic alerts. Currently the fees are only for European countries.

Traffic data is also available to subscribers in many parts of Europe and the US via a bluetooth-enabled cell phone with Internet service or an add-on aerial, which picks up RDS data (broadcast on FM radio frequencies) offering traffic information without the requirement for a data connection. The TomTom plus service is not compatible with Apple's iPhone.

TomTom LIVE Services

In October 2008 the company released LIVE Services on the GO 940 LIVE. These allow users to receive updates over the mobile telephone network using the SIM card in the device. These services include HD Traffic, Safety Alerts, Local Search with Google and Fuel Prices.

On May 12, 2011, TomTom announced that it is offering up its real-time traffic products to "industry partners" in the United States. [64]

Map Share

Map Share is a proprietary map technology launched by TomTom in June 2007. Map Share allows users to make changes to the maps on their navigation devices and share them with others.

It allows drivers to make changes to their maps directly on their navigation devices. Drivers can block or unblock streets, change the direction of traffic, edit street names and add, edit or remove points of interest (POIs).

Improvements can be shared with other users. Users who connect their devices to their computers can download and upload map corrections on a daily basis. This is done through TomTom HOME, TomTom’s content management software.

Users can select various 'levels of trust', only receiving improvements that have been verified by TomTom or changes that have been submitted by trusted sources, by many, or by some people.

TomTom has announced the release of an open source encoding technology named OpenLR, which would provide a data format for the same purpose in an interoperable map-independent way.[65]

HD Traffic

A traffic monitoring service that uses multiple sources to provide traffic information. The service does this by combining data from:

The information is merged by TomTom and algorithms are used to improve the data and filter out anomalous readings. The system sends updates to all HD Traffic users every three minutes. Users can receive the service through a connected navigation device, or through a specially designed antenna. Most current devices receive the updated road congestion conditions automatically. Rerouting can be set to be transparent to the user with the only sign that the route has been changed due to a traffic jam being a sound indication from the device and a changed ETA.

The system was first launched in the Netherlands in 2007, and expanded to the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Switzerland in 2008. In mid 2011 TomTom live services, including HD Traffic are available in the United States, South Africa, New Zealand and the following 17 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

IQ Routes

IQ Routes, developed by TomTom and available since spring 2008 on the TomTom GO 730 & 930, uses anonymous travel time data accumulated by users of TomTom satnav devices. Newer TomTom devices use this data to take into account the time and day when determining the fastest route.[67]

Travel time data is stored in Historical Speed Profiles, one for each road segment, covering large motorways, main roads and also small local roads. Historic Speed Profiles are part of the digital map and are updated with every new map release. They give insight into real-world traffic patterns. This is a fact-based routing system based on measured travel times, compared to most other methods which use speed limits or ‘assumed’ speeds.

In September 2008, map upgrade v8.10 was released for x20 series models, extending the IQ Routes feature to those devices as well.[68] To enable IQ Routes on these older devices, users must not only update their map, but also apply the free v8 application software update using TomTom Home.[69]

Enhanced Positioning Technology

Offers continuous navigation, even when a navigation device can’t receive GPS satellite signals (e.g. in tunnels or amongst high buildings).

Mapping

TomTom products use Tele Atlas based maps. Map errors are handled using Tele Atlas map insight.[70] Map errors are reported using the Tele Atlas map insight map feedback page.[71] Maps are not universally compatible across TomTom devices; while most maps are available for most modern devices, a compatible version must be used. Version numbers are of the form 865.2442.

TomTom offers mapping for:

Maps are not necessarily for the entire regions listed; there are many maps for individual countries or parts of countries, and groups of countries.

Sponsorship

IndyCar

TomTom has sponsored Dario Franchitti in the 2009 IndyCar Series season in some races, he won at the 2009 Iowa Corn Indy 250 with TomTom as the main sponsor.

NASCAR

TomTom has also sponsored the #1 Chevy Impala of Martin Truex Jr. for a select number of 2009 Sprint Cup races.

Controversy

In April 2011, TomTom "apologized for supplying driving data collected from customers to police to use in catching speeding motorists"[72]; the company collected the data from its Dutch customers, which Dutch police subsequently used to set targeted speed traps.[73] In May 2011, the company announced that it was planning to sell aggregated customer information to the Australian Roads and Traffic Authority, which could also potentially be used for targeted speed enforcement.[74]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Annual Results 2010". TomTom. http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/TOMTOM/1172270881x0x442520/747d93e4-f54c-4b74-9e89-d946964b4b52/110218_TTPR_TomTom_reports_fourth_quarter_2010_results.pdf. Retrieved 18 February 2011. 
  2. ^ "Navigation Device Co. TomTom Raises Bid". Associated Press. 2007-11-07. http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2007/11/07/ap4310362.html. Retrieved 2007-12-07. 
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  24. ^ The container states that this product is compatible with: ACER N310-B, N311-BW, N35, N50; Asus MyPal A632N, MyPal A636N; Dell AXIM X51, Axim X51v; Eten M600; Fujitsu Siemens Pocket LOOX 720, Pocket LOOX N520; HP iPAQ h1450, h4350, hw6510, hw6515, hw6910, hw6915, hx2190, hx2490, rx1950, rz1710; i-Mate JAM, JAMin, PDA-N, PDA2k; Mio 168, A201, A701, P350; Nokia E50, E61, N80; O2 XDA Exec; Orange SPV M1000, SPV M2000, SPV M3000; Palm Treo 700W, Treo 650; Qtek G100, S100, S110, 9000; T-Mobile MDA compact, MDA III, MDA Pro. (software package) NAVIGATOR 6 DVD. TomTom. article no. 1T90.080, part no. 1T90.080S. 
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