X40 LIVE Models Announced Not for US Yet

[offthegrid]

omTom Sets New Standard for Navigation Industry

~ New dynamic route guidance fundamentally improves in-car navigation;
if there is a faster route, the new TomTom GO x40 LIVE will find it ~

IFA 2008

BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TomTom (AEX:TOM2), the world?s leading navigation solutions provider, today presents its most innovative product yet. The connected TomTom GO x40 LIVE delivers dynamic navigation and route guidance that continuously adapts to changing road conditions and always gives drivers the fastest route to a destination.

The three models of the TomTom GO x40 LIVE series come with a new and extended version of TomTom?s unique IQ Routes? technology. TomTom IQ Routes? is now based on historical travel time information for every road, specified for every day of the week at five minute intervals.

The new TomTom GO x40 LIVE automatically connects to TomTom?s exclusive High Definition (HD) Traffic service for the most accurate and detailed live traffic information. It will now be available in Germany, UK, France and Switzerland for the first time, in addition to the Netherlands, where the service was introduced at the end of 2007. When the measured traffic conditions differ from the expected flow rates, the TomTom GO x40 LIVE automatically calculates a better alternative route if one is available. The expected time of arrival will be adjusted accordingly.

Launch of TomTom LIVE Services

The TomTom GO x40 LIVE series has plug & play connectivity built in and comes with a number of valuable information services for motorists.

* Superior and unique TomTom High Definition Traffic? service for the most accurate and current traffic information en route, now available for the first time in Germany, UK, France, Switzerland as well as in the Netherlands.
* TomTom Safety Alerts including real-time safety camera reporting and sharing, means users can keep each other informed about mobile safety cameras.
* TomTom Fuel Prices: up-to-date fuel price information guides you to the cheapest fuel stations along users? routes or in their area.
* TomTom unlocks the power of online Local Search with Google. It turns search results into a destination with the press of a button. This gives users access to millions of locations.

?The introduction of the new TomTom GO x40 LIVE series and LIVE Services mark a fundamental breakthrough in the quality and functionality of navigation devices and how people will use them,? says Harold Goddijn, TomTom?s chief executive officer. ?We don?t want our customers to spend time in traffic if they don?t have to. With the new TomTom GO x40 LIVE we provide drivers with the best routing information available and we help them to make intelligent decisions that save time and money, putting them back in control.?

?Through the introduction of TomTom LIVE Services we are also evolving from a pure PND manufacturer to a provider of state-of-the-art routing information,? Goddijn adds. ?We believe that through those innovations we can enhance the lives of millions?.

TomTom GO x40 LIVE range

The new TomTom GO x40 LIVE series features three models; the TomTom GO 940 LIVE, TomTom GO 740 LIVE and TomTom GO 540 LIVE*. It comes with an iconic flat design and new, high-quality user-interface with optimised icons for even easier navigation through the device menu.

All products come with TomTom?s wide range of award-winning navigation features, including IQ Routes, HD Traffic as part of LIVE Services and TomTom Map Share - TomTom?s unique map improvement technology. The improved advanced lane guidance feature now gives drivers clear instructions of complex junctions.

The new Active Dock incorporates a system connector, so the device can be semi-integrated into the car while ensuring easy docking and charging.

With safety in mind, the TomTom GO LIVE series now also features voice command and control in addition to existing safety options, providing customers with more safety features than any other navigation device. For the first time users can plan a route or make a phone call by using their voice. Over 100 tasks can be activated by voice, so drivers can keep their eyes focused on the road ahead.

The TomTom GO x40 LIVE series comes with a full range of accessories to match the design and finish of the new range.

Availability and price

TomTom LIVE Services and TomTom GO x40 LIVE series will be available in Germany, the UK, France, Netherlands and Switzerland from Autumn 2008. The TomTom GO x40 LIVE series has a recommended retail price from 349 euros. A free three months trial period for TomTom LIVE Services is included. Afterwards users can easily register to a monthly, flat-fee subscription of 9.95 euros with no hidden costs, so they continue to receive all LIVE Services directly into their car.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

*Availability and price of the TomTom GO x40 LIVE series and TomTom LIVE services may differ per country. Some LIVE Services are country specific.

About TomTom

TomTom NV is the world?s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps. TomTom NV has over 3500 employees working in four business units ? TomTom, Tele Atlas, Automotive and TomTom 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.

 

[GAW]

If/whne this makes its way over, here - will consider upgrading - but ONLT if it has a brighter screen.

As for all the jazz about the real-time intelligent routing of alternate routes, a rental car I drove 3 years ago in Germany with a built in GPS had a very good re-routing feature on it, as well as early alerts of conditions ahead (at 100 km or more sometimes), and very good graphical indications on the active map as the trouble areas were approached.

I do not think TomTom comes close to that at present, and it remains to be seen if this will do it. Traffic has been the least impressive of TomTom's features, and hardly qualifies them as an industry leader in this respect.

 

[Nacron]

Hope they increased battery life

 

[dhn]

Unfortunately, the X40s will run of the HD traffic receivers, which go off of the cellular networks available in Europe. This is why when you buy a traffic receiver here in North America, it will not work in Europe, and vice versa. Unfortunately, as it stands right now, this feature won't be ported to North America, unless they make it available as a PLUS services (through a paired cell phone's data connection)

- Michael; TomTom tech support

Michael, may we assume you'll be a regular contributor to these forums? A knowlegeable voice from TT will be most welcome. Your posts today prove that........

 

[Pedro2NR]

Welcome Michael,
You've been busy answering everyone's questions

Thank you for the information regarding the x40 TomTom range.

 

[GAW]

Below is a description of the HD Traffic service being rolled out over there. The fact that it works off of cell phones is encouraging, as that would make its introduction over hear technically easier then the current very limited traffic receiver service, which is dependent on limited FM stations here versus mandated broad coverage over there.

However, the limitation here may also be coverage. It probably requires a good density of participating mobile phones in any area to make it work, and that is easier to accomplish in the smaller, more densely traveled areas like Western Europe compared to the US. Also, TomTom has a much larger market share there then here:

"TomTom HD Traffic?

Nearly all traffic information systems use data that are collected with so called ?road side equipment?; cameras, induction loops and other systems that are based on the deployment of a physical infrastructure. Those systems are expensive, both to install and to maintain. The result is that traffic information is only available on the busiest road segments in most countries.

TomTom?s HD Traffic service works differently. It is based on the anonymous measurements of ordinary mobile phones moving through the network. A significant proportion of mobile phones on the move are in cars. Analysis of these results gives accurate traffic information for all major and secondary roads. The HD Traffic service is further enhanced with information from TomTom users who wish to share their travel time information anonymously with other users. This contributes to the accuracy and granularity of this unique service. It gives a much more accurate traffic information resource than traditional systems and for much larger territories. In addition it?s economical to deploy."

 

[Buddharay]

thanks Michael, the info is much appreciated.

 

[IsLNdbOi]

I'd like more details on the new active mount on the x40 models. Does the mount now contain the accessory connector (for things like the traffic receiver, iPod cable, etc.), audio / headphone out, power, etc.?

 

[IsLNdbOi]

I don't think so. The description in the press release says:

The new Active Dock incorporates a system connector, so the device can be semi-integrated into the car while ensuring easy docking and charging.

That sounds like a proprietary connector through which all the other connections are passed through (audio, power, accessory port).