TomTom adds real-time traffic and Google search to their mid-range PND, in the AT&T-connected TomTom XL 340S LIVE.
TomTom today announced a new model in their mid-range portable navigation device (PND) lineup. The TomTom XL 340S LIVE will closely resemble the existing 340S model, but will include a wireless cellular data connection to take advantage of TomTom's subscription LIVE services. Using AT&T's data network, the TomTom XL 340S LIVE will be able to download real-time traffic information, and the device will frequently update itself, every 2 to 5 minutes, to check traffic speed and incoming incident reports. Using the incoming data and historical traffic data, the TomTom XL 340S LIVE will suggest the fastest routes to avoid traffic and delays.
The TomTom XL 340S LIVE will come packed with TomTom's 7 million points of interest database, but to supplement the onboard POI data, the wireless device will also connect to TomTom's Local Search powered by Google, which will offer Google search results on the TomTom device.
In addition to local search results, the TomTom LIVE service also offers TomTom XL 340S LIVE buyers an up-to-date database of fuel prices. Drivers can pick the lowest price in their vicinity and the XL 340S LIVE will navigate to the cheapest nearby gas station. The XL 340S LIVE will also download weather data, offering users local and 5-day weather forecasts.
On the backend, the TomTom XL 340S LIVE will also use QuickGPSfix software, similar to what we've seen in some cell phones recently. This software downloads recent location data from overhead GPS satellites to help the PND grab a first fix faster than an unaided device. With cell phones relying so heavily on assisted-GPS, we're glad to see TomTom's mid-range devices getting some help from the larger network.
As almost every cell phone worth buying comes with GPS navigation onboard, it will be important for TomTom to keep up with these devices, and to offer new and innovative features that will keep cell phone users interested in the PND market. We like the connected aspect of the TomTom LIVE service, and the sort of crowd-sourced data of which the XL Live 340S makes use seems like the right niche for the PND maker. But we think TomTom is still just scratching the surface, and beneath could lie exciting new technologies like GPS-based social networking, augmented reality features and more special functions that take advantage of the key selling points of a PND, notably its larger touchscreen, pre-loaded maps and features, and most importantly the mapping expertise of its manufacturer.
The TomTom XL 340S LIVE will be available for $300 at retailers across the country. The device will come preloaded with full maps of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Archive