Tomtom announces the XXL with a 5" widescreen

See press release here. It is targeted for US/Canada.

For those who track model numbers, there's going to be a different 530/540 for the US vs Europe.

Interesting how Lane Guidance is now a separate premium feature. It may explain why it was not included in the iPhone app (yet).


TomTom Unveils New TomTom XXL Range, with New Five Inch Widescreen


Concord, MA – September 14, 2009 – TomTom, the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, today announces the latest models in its award-winning portable navigation product offering – the TomTom XXL 530S and TomTom XXL 540S. Drivers can now enjoy TomTom’s premium technologies, including the highly acclaimed IQ Routes™ Technology, on an extra-large five inch screen.
“The new TomTom XXL devices enrich our product portfolio by providing our customers with new offerings that cater to individual preference and need, like the larger, easy-to-read screen” said Jocelyn Vigreux, president of TomTom Inc. “The introduction of the XXL range is in line with our strategy to increase the depth and breadth of our product offerings, based on customer feedback.”
Optimal Routing
The TomTom XXL 530S and XXL 540S devices enable users to always drive the smartest and most efficient routes, whenever or wherever they go. The TomTom XXL 530S and XXL 540S include TomTom’s exclusive IQ Routes™ technology. The technology is based on historical speed measurements for every time of day and for every road segment, from large highways to small local roads. In up to 35% of all cases, the use of IQ Routes results in driving a faster route, saving significant travel time, money and fuel.
In addition to the above mentioned features, the new TomTom XXL devices come with:

• Full maps of the US and Canada
• TomTom Map Share™ technology, so users can instantly modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more on their device and benefit from corrections made by others
• TomTom Help Me! menu,so users can easily access local emergency service providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals
• TomTom’s newest user menu with an elegant interface that features optimized icons for even easier navigation
• Award-winning Fold and Go EasyPort? mount, folds flat against the device, making it easy for users to transport
• TomTom HOME, the free desktop application to keep users’ devices up-to-date at all times

Features unique to the TomTom XXL 540S:
?Advanced Lane Guidance for realistic representations of complex highway junctions and lane-specific visual directions that take the stress out of navigating these otherwise challenging areas
?Preloaded maps of Mexico, the US and Canada
?Seven million points of interest, so users have access to information and location details of more restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc. than ever before
?High-quality black finish, for a sleek look
Availability and Pricing
The new TomTom XXL devices will be in retailers across the United States and Canada in October 2009.

TomTom XXL 530S: $279.95
TomTom XXL 540S: $299.95

About TomTom
TomTom NV is the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps. TomTom NV has over 3,300 employees working in four business units – TomTom, Tele Atlas, Automotive and WORK.

TomTom's products are developed with an emphasis on innovation, quality, ease of use, safety and value. TomTom's products include all-in-one navigation devices which enable customers to navigate right out of the box; these are the award-winning TomTom GO family, the TomTom XL and TomTom ONE ranges and the TomTom RIDER. Additionally, independent research proves that TomTom products have a significant positive effect on driving and road safety.

Tele Atlas delivers the digital maps and dynamic content that power some of the world’s most essential navigation and location-based services (LBS). Through a combination of its own products and partnerships, Tele Atlas offers digital map coverage of more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. The Automotive business unit develops and sells navigation systems and services to car manufacturers and OEMs. TomTom WORK combines industry leading communication and smart navigation technology with leading edge tracking and tracing expertise.

TomTom NV was founded in 1991 in Amsterdam and has offices in Europe, North America, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. TomTom is listed at Euronext Amsterdam in The Netherlands. For more information, go to www.tomtom.com & http://investors.tomtom.com/index.cfm.

Thanks for the info, mvl. Seems a no-brainer to pay the additional $20 for the 540 model to get ALG included in the maps (and get Mexico as well). What's not stated in the press release but may be assumed is that the 540 model might have a larger storage capacity than the 530 model (to handle Mexico, ALG mapping data and the larger poi set).

By the way, I have received evidence that there at least 4 roads in the Maritimes in CANADA that DO show ALG & Reality View with map version 835!! Sadly, no indication of any of that in Ontario and especially the GTA where that feature would definitely be an asset.

What's interesting is that there's now no "has it all" flagship for Tomtom globally.

Previously, the 940 had the best of everything (at a price). A screen size hasn't been announced on the X50 series, but I'm thinking they would have mentioned it if it were 5". I would get this XXL immediately as screen size really feels safer, but it appears I'll lose traffic if I do. Traffic jams are a bigger safety issue, not to mention a huge timesaver.

An XXL LIVE would be just enough of a compromise to give up the (the poorly working) music player of my 720.

But this lack of a true flagship makes me wonder if another high-end model is still TBA before the holiday season.

A little checking around . . . I think the 950 is going to be announced for the US later this year. Of course it's not truly new, just the x40 with new navcore, but it would be "new" for the US. So combined it looks like 2 new XL entry models ( plus one more really base device) and either one or two new to NA Go models. I also suspect there will be far fewer new pnd's announced for NA than we're accustomed to going forward. It appears TomTom is not putting much investment into developing new pnd platforms.

I'd give up the 5" in a heartbeat for HD traffic. Hopefully Tomtom gets their October lineup all announced out by then so we can make proper purchase decisions.

I expect the next announcement will be the 9/22 "future of navigation" press meeting. Let's see what comes out...

Where are those locations?

See this link, Arno:

http://www.tomtomforums.com/general-...tml#post106913

I think they also announced that live services will now be available to fleets and work places that need to keep track of their vehicles on certain units.

Also, FWIW it appears the newly announced XXL's are using the new navcore 9, tho not confirmed. Suspect that version may get mixed reviews.

Doesn't work with the 815 map they gave me a year ago when I hollered for my money back because ALG didn't work in Canada. Tried it first at 500%, then at 100%. No, don't worry, I was doing something else while it was running.