TomTom

TomTom International B.V.
Besloten Vennootschap
Traded as Euronext: TOM2
Industry Consumer electronics, Automotive, Licensing, Telematics
Founded 1991
Founder Harold Goddijn
Corinne Vigreux
Peter-Frans Pauwels
Pieter Geelen
Headquarters Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key people
 Harold Goddijn (CEO), Peter Wakkie (Chairman of the supervisory board), Alain De Taeye (Member of the Management Board)
Products GPS navigation software and devices, digital maps, Sports Watches
Revenue Decrease € 963 million (2013)[1]
Decrease € 26 million (2013)[1]
Profit Decrease € 20 million (2013)[1]
Total assets Decrease € 1.724 billion (2012)[2]
Total equity Increase € 838.42 million (2012)[2]
Number of employees
 4,000 (2015)
Subsidiaries Tele Atlas
Website www.tomtom.com

TomTom NV (Euronext: TOM2) is a Dutch company that produces navigation and mapping products. TomTom also makes GPS sport watches, fleet management systems, and location-based products. As of 2015 TomTom's business had Consumer, Automotive, Licensing and Telematics units. Founded in 1991 and headquartered in Amsterdam, currently has 4,000 employees worldwide and sells products in over 41 countries. TomTom was originally named Palmtop Software, founded by Peter-Frans Pauwels, Pieter Geelen, Harold Goddijn and Corinne Vigreux.[3]

In 2008, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas, a digital map maker, for €2.9 billion and Matt Maps for US$480 million.

On 11 June 2012, at an event for Apple's iOS 6 preview, TomTom was announced as the main mapping data provider for Apple's revamped iOS 6 "Maps" app, replacing Google Maps.

History

TomTom ONE
TomTom Navigator 6 on Treo 650
TomTom Go 500
TomTom Go 710

The company was founded in 1991 and, until 1996, developed business-to-business 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, Citymaps and Routeplanner.

The company released its first navigator product, TomTom Navigator, in 2002, for Windows CE-powered PDAs, bundled with car cradle and GPS receiver.[4] Version 2 of Navigator was released in 2003, followed in March 2004 by TomTom Navigator 3 for Windows CE, with live traffic data available on subscription, downloaded over the phone/PDA's data connection.

In January 2004 TomTom Navigator for Palm OS was released, using NavCore, a cross-platform navigation engine still used as of 2015. Their first all-in-one device, the TomTom GO, based on NavCore version 4.1, was released in March 2004. It had a 3.5 in 320x240 screen, 200 MHz CPU, 32MB of RAM and integrated SD reader,[5] and was substantially cheaper than other all-in-one solutions, at £499 in the UK,[6] and by year-end generated 60% of the company's revenue. Some features from Navigator 3 were omitted from NavCore.

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

Several NavCore 5 products were released in 2005, with a unified feature and codebase: Navigator 5 for Windows CE and Palm OS, TomTom Mobile 5, and the updated GO models, the 300, 500 and 700.

For the version 5 release, the Traffic subscription service was rebranded 'TomTom Plus'. Weather information and the ability to download new voices and other content were added.

All the new GO models supported 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.[7]

TomTom expanded their range of NavCore 5 devices with the ruggedized Rider (for motorcycle users), and the budget ONE, in late 2005. Both devices used the SirfStar III GPS chipset, for much better GPS reception than previous devices. The ONE was also significantly slimmer than the earlier GO devices, at the expense of shorter battery endurance.[8]

The GO 510, 710 and 910, using NavCore 6, were released in April 2006. The 910 added MP3 player and text-to-speech for road names; all models supported 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 had a 20GB hard drive.[9] 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, and to Navigator users in August 2006. Text-to-speech was supported only on the 910.

In September 2006 the revised NavCore v6-powered ONE was released.[10] An updated RIDER was released in May 2007, and a 4.3 in widescreen ONE XL. Aside from the larger screen, this added support for an RDS-TMC receiver to the existing ONE. Compared with the 510 and 710, the ONE XL, with slightly larger screen, did not have hands-free calling capability, and had a slower CPU, fewer bundled accessories and a lower price.

The GO x20 range released in Q3 2007 had NavCore v7, the 4.3 in screen of the ONE XL, built-in flash storage and an SD card slot. V7 had Map Share, allowing drivers to notify TomTom of closed roads, and for other drivers to share those updates and speech recognition. 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 supported 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 had neither text-to-speech nor 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 at the end of 2007. NavCore 7 was released for all older TomTom all-in-one devices with the purchase of 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, without text-to-speech or speech recognition; as of 2015 TomTom had not produced a further version.

TomTom released the GO x30 range in April 2008 based on NavCore 8. New features included IQ Routes, which estimated journey times based on average recorded speeds, rather than speed limits, and Advanced Lane Guidance, an on-screen representation of the correct lane to take. The 930, like the x20, had 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, with 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, with the purchase of new maps.

The GO x40 series, with NavCore 8.2, was released in Autumn 2008.[11] 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 "24/7" used the average speed for the time of day, instead of a time-independent average. x20 and x30 users were given an update with support for IQ Routes 24/7 on buying an up-to-date map.

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

TomTom released a variety of lower-cost models, including a 5 in XXL, with many of the features from the GO x40 and x50, including LIVE, IQ Routes and Advanced Lane Guidance. They do not have a micro-SD slot, and are 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-logging capabilities to organizations. In 2010, TomTom said that it was providing its service to over 125,000 vehicles operating in Europe.[12]

Products

A common message shown on a TomTom device when there is no GPS signal in range
TomTom Navigator 7 on HTC TyTN II

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.[13] 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 specified destination. Some TomTom systems also integrate with mobile phones using Bluetooth, traffic congestion maps or to actually take calls and read aloud SMS messages.

Models are largely hardware-compatible, with different software; it has been reported that some users have been able to upgrade low-cost hardware with the software of more advanced models, for example providing a ONE XL or GO 510 with most of the functionality of a GO 940.

As of 2015 the global slogan for TomTom is "the smart choice in personal navigation". In the United States and Canada, they use "Go confidently"; in the UK "Find your way the easy way".

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)[14] 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 vs 3.5 in or 110 vs 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. They differ from other devices in that the RIDER is partly shielded and has a 'glove-friendly' screen and GUI.

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 2015 Navigator 7 was 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, discontinued in 2010.

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.[15]

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 in 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 in 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 in 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 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 4,096 colours Yes No No
Rider October 2005 SiRFstarIII 380 MHz 32 MB None SD 3.5 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels Yes Yes No Water resistant
Rider2 May 2006 SiRFstarIII 380 MHz 32 MB None SD 3.5 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels Yes Yes No Water resistant
ONE V1 November 2005 SiRFstarIII 380 MHz 32 MB None SD 3.5 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 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 Yes Voice input, MP3
ONE 2nd or New edition September 2006 SiRFstarIII 266 MHz 32 MB none, 512 MB, 1 GB SD / MMC 3.5 in 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 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Not for cellphone Yes No
GO 520 August 2007 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 512 MB, 1 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes Yes
GO 720 August 2007 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 2 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3 in 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 in 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 in 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 in 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 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Not for cellphone Yes No
GO 530 April 2008 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB, 2 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes Yes Voice input, MP3
GO 630 October 2008 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 2 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes Yes No Voice input
GO 730 April 2008 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB SDHC / MMC 4.3 in 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 in 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 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No
XL May 2008 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB None 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels No USB No
GO 540 LIVE October 2008 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB, 2 GB microSD 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USBNo Voice input
GO 740 LIVE October 2008 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB microSD 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USBNo Voice input
GO 940 LIVE October 2008 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 2 GB, 4 GB, 8 GB microSD 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USBYes Voice input, MP3, EPT
ONE IQ Routes Edition April 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 3.5 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No
ONE 140 July 2009 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB None 3.5 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No
ONE XL340 August 2009 Global Hammerhead v1 266 MHz 32 MB 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB None 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No
XL IQ Routes Edition April 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No
XXL530S September 2009 SiRFstarIV 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No USBNo Text-to-speech
GO 7000 Truck October 2009 SiRFstarIII 400 MHz 64 MB 4 GB SDHC / MMC 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes Yes Text-to-speech, Voice input, MP3
GO 9000 Truck Live October 2009 ? ? ? 4 GB SDHC / MMC 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes Yes Yes Text-to-speech, Voice input, MP3
XXL540S November 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 2 GB None 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No
GO 550 LIVE [16] September 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 1 GB microSD 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Voice input
GO 750 LIVE September 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 2 GB microSD 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Voice input
GO 950 LIVE September 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 400 MHz 64 MB 4 GB microSD 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Voice input, EPT
GO 1000 LIVE September 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz ARM11 128 MB 4 GB None 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 1005 LIVE V1 November 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz ARM11 128 MB 4 GB None 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 1005 LIVE V2 2011 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz ARM11 128 MB 8 GB microSD 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 1015 LIVE November 2011 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA ? 128 MB 8 GB microSD 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 820 Live August 2011 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz 128 MB 4 GB microSD 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 825 Live August 2011 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz 128 MB 4 GB microSD 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 2050 Live August 2011 ? ? ? MB 4 GB None 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 2050 Live World August 2011 ? ? ? MB 4 GB None 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels Yes USB No Text-to-speech, Voice input
GO 400 July 2013 ? 600 MHz 512 MB 8 GB microSD 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels - capacitive Yes No No ?
GO 500 (2013) August 2013 ? 600 MHz 512 MB 4 GB, 8 GB microSD 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels - capacitive Yes no hands free No No Text-to-speech
GO 600 August 2013 ? 600 MHz 512 MB 4 GB, 8 GB microSD 6 in 16:9 800 × 480 pixels - capacitive Yes no hands free No No Text-to-speech
GO 5000 August 2013 ? 600 MHz 512 MB 4 GB, 8 GB microSD 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels - capacitive ? No No Text-to-speech
GO 6000 August 2013 Qualcomm QCA1530 600 MHz 512 MB 4 GB microSD 6 in 16:9 800 × 480 pixels - capacitive ? No No Text-to-speech
XL IQ Routes Edition 2 April 2010 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 64 MB 1 GB None 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No Text-to-speech
Urban Rider July 2010 Broadcom BCM4750 380 MHz 32 MB 2 GB None 3.5 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels Yes No No Water resistant
Start December 2009 Broadcom BCM4750 266 MHz 32 MB 2 GB None 3.5 in 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 in 4:3 320 × 240 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No Black or white, Text-to-speech
Via 110 November 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz 128 MB 2 GB microSD[17] 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours No USB No Text-to-speech
Via 120 November 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz 128 MB 4 GB microSD 4.3 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours Yes USB No Text-to-speech
Via 125 November 2010 Broadcom GoGPS BARRACUDA 500 MHz 128 MB 4 GB microSD[18] 5 in 16:9 480 × 272 pixels 64,000 colours 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)
MicroSD — Micro Secure Digital High Capacity (max. 32 GB)[19]

This section is increasingly difficult to manage due to product/model differentiation released for the various countries/markets.

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.[20] 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.[21]

The GO range from TomTom GO-1000 uses a web based mechanism in TomTom HOME (called MyTomTom) with a tiny Support Application, as the internal flash memory of the device cannot be accessed anymore through USB for security reasons (modified applications would easily accept a map that wasn't sold by TomTom). The device can update itself by getting files through the HTTP protocol over USB. The Support App is nothing more than a proxy on the PC buffering the download. So far the security achieved using this mechanism has not been broken yet.

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 & Android

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.[22] TomTom Vice President of Marketing Development gave information in an interview by Macworld in July 2009.[23]

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.[24][25][26] 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

Turkey and Greece were not included in the larger Europe map pack; this may be related to the AppStore's App size limitation of 2 GB. These maps are available separately. Iceland is not available in any map package sold by TomTom.

There is an app for Android with similar features to the iOS app[57] In March 2015, TomTom announced a new TomTom GO app for Android with a freemium subscription model for maps with the first 50 miles per year being free. The previous app, which had promised "free lifetime updates", was deleted from the Play Store and with TomTom claiming their definition of lifetime was "the period of time that TomTom continues to support the app with updates. A device will have reached the end of its life when none of these are available any more." Previous customers of TomTom's Android navigation app lost Play store access to their previously purchased product with lifetime map updates. They were offered a discount on subscription to the new app. So existing customers saw their previous purchase with lifetime maps unilaterally void and were forced into a subscription model.[58]

Partnership with Apple (iOS 6 Maps)

In September 2012, Apple collaborated with TomTom to provide mapping data for its revamped iOS 6 updated Apple Maps app. The partnership was in part due to Apple's decision to wean itself off the products of its competitor, Google.

Services

TomTom PLUS

The company offers 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 12 May 2011, TomTom announced that it was offering up its real-time traffic products to "industry partners" in the United States.[59]

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 through TomTom HOME, TomTom’s content management software.

An online version called Map Share Reporter is on the TomTom website.

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.[61]

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[62] with a free software update using TomTom Home.[63]

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 reported using the Tele Atlas Map Insight map feedback page[64] and through TomTom's Map Share service, which allows TomTom device owners to report map errors either by correcting the errors on the navigation system and uploading the corrections to TomTom when the navigation system is synchronized with TomTom software that is installed to a Windows or Mac OS X based computer,[65] or by reporting errors to the Map Share Reporter website.[66] 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 have a 3-digit number identifying the major version, a dot, and a 4-digit build number. Major version 940, for example, is available for most regions and most devices, but different builds are available for different regions and devices, and supporting different features.

TomTom offers mapping for:

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

[[<ref>|thumbnail</ref>]]

Sponsorship

IndyCar

TomTom 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 also sponsored the #1 AllMovie title of Martin Truex, Jr. for some 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";[68] the company collected data from its Dutch customers which Dutch police subsequently used to set targeted speed traps.[69]

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.[70]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "TomTom reports fourth quarter and FY 2013 results". TomTom NV. Retrieved 10 January 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Annual Results 2012 results". TomTom NV. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "TomTom history". TomTom. 2010-12-01.
  4. ↑ "TomTom, portable GPS car navigation systems". Investors.tomtom.com. 2002-12-31. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  5. ↑ "TomTom Go review - Car Tech reviews". TrustedReviews. 2004-09-14. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  6. ↑ Dave Burrows, Mike Barrett. "TomTom GO Review". Pocketgpsworld.com. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  7. ↑ Mike Barrett. "TomTom GO new hardware". Pocketgpsworld.com. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  8. ↑ Darren Griffin. "TomTom ONE Review". Pocketgpsworld.com. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  9. ↑ Darren Griffin. "TomTom 510 710 910 Overview". Pocketgpsworld.com. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  10. ↑ "TomTom NV - TomTom Introduces the New TomTom ONE Range". Investors.tomtom.com. 2006-08-30. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  11. ↑ "TomTom NV - TomTom sets new standard for navigation industry". Investors.tomtom.com. 2008-08-28. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  12. ↑ "TomTom Business Solutions - About us". TomTom. 2011-04-15. Retrieved 2011-04-15.
  13. ↑ "TOMTOM Company Profile". Retrieved 2007-12-07.
  14. ↑ "SUNATraffic.com.au". SUNATraffic.com.au. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  15. ↑ 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.NAVIGATOR 6 DVD (software package). TomTom. article no. 1T90.080, part no. 1T90.080S.
  16. ↑ "Go 550 live specifications". tomtom.com. 2011-07-02. Retrieved 2011-07-02.
  17. ↑
  18. ↑
  19. ↑ "SDHC Memory Cards". sdcard.org. 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2011-02-16.
  20. ↑ "TomTom HOME software downloads page".
  21. ↑ "pyTOMTOM".
  22. ↑ "TomTom for iPhone". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  23. ↑ "TomTom for iPhone en route | Software | iPhone Central". Macworld. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  24. ↑ Diaz, Jesus (2009-08-17). "Confirmed: TomTom's GPS Car Kit Will Work with iPod Touch, Third Party Apps - tomtom GPS car adapter". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  25. ↑ "Dirty Little Secret: TomTom car adapter "should" work with iPod Touch as well". iJailbreak Pro. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  26. ↑ "TomTom's in-car kit will turn the iPod touch into a pro-grade navigational device – New Tech Gadgets & Electronic Devices". Geek.com. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
  27. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  28. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  29. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  30. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  31. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  32. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  33. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  34. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  35. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  36. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  37. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  38. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  39. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  40. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  41. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  42. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  43. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  44. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  45. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  46. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  47. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-20. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  48. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  49. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  50. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  51. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  52. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  53. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-18. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  54. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  55. ↑ "iTunes UK, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  56. ↑ "iTunes US, dated 24 August 2010". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-10-15. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  57. ↑ "TomTom app for Android". TomTom on Google play store. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  58. ↑ "New Go Android app replaces previous apps with lifetime maps and forces existing customers in a subscription (with a discount for the first three years)". Play Store. TomTom. Retrieved 25 March 2015.
  59. ↑ Don Reisinger, CNET. "TomTom offering real-time traffic data to partners." 12 May 2011. Retrieved 12 May 2011.
  60. ↑ "TomTom HD Traffic - How it works".
  61. ↑ "Information Management: TomTom collecting data from GPS Systems".
  62. ↑ "(click on "show detailed map information")". Tomtom.com. Retrieved 2010-12-08.
  63. ↑ "TomTom FAQs - IQ Routes". Retrieved 2008-12-27.
  64. ↑ "Tele Atlas Map Insight map feedback". Tele Atlas. Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  65. ↑ "TomTom HOME - Services - TomTom". Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  66. ↑ "Map Share™ Reporter". Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  67. ↑ 67.0 67.1 67.2 TomTom News and Announcements: TomTom extends its industry leading map coverage with the addition of four new countries, 16 July 2014
  68. ↑ "TomTom Sorry for Giving Customer Driving Data to Cops". The Register. 2011-04-27. Retrieved 2011-05-07.
  69. ↑ Toby Sterling (2011-04-27). "TomTom Admits Police Used Data for Speed Traps". Associated Press. Archived from the original on 2011-05-01. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  70. ↑ Asher Moses (2011-05-06). "Outrage Over TomTom Speed Traps for Motorists". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2011-05-07.

External links

Media related to TomTom at Wikimedia Commons