Latest features include navigate-to-photo and optimisation
for iPhone 4

South Africa, Johannesburg

– 02 September, 2010 –

TomTom, the world’s leading provider of location and navigation solutions, announces that a new update to the TomTom App for iPhone is coming soon. The new update demonstrates TomTom’s commitment to provide continued innovations and an enhanced navigation experience.

Now, TomTom users will have a new way to enter destinations using photos and turning their photo gallery into an address book. Additionally, iPhone 4 users will experience faster and more-responsive navigation, and with support for retina display, will enjoy enhanced graphics.

The TomTom App for iPhone version 1.5 will feature:

- Navigate-to-photo - Users can easily navigate to a location by selecting a photo stored in the iPhone gallery. Locations are identified by geo-tags.
- Optimisation for iPhone 4 - Takes full advantage of the capabilities of Apple’s latest iOS device, the app now delivers high resolution graphics, sharper maps, more-responsive menus and improved positioning even in areas with limited GPS reception.
- Latest, most up-to-date maps - Because on average 15% of roads change every year, the TomTom App comes with the latest and most up-to-date maps. No mobile signal or data plan is required to browse the map and navigate to a destination.

“With nearly 45 million drivers worldwide relying on TomTom navigation, we have the expertise to deliver iPhone and iPod touch users the smartest and easiest-to-use navigation experience available,” said Joost Jetten Vice President Sales Benelux and Sub-Sahara Africa. “As we build upon TomTom’s expertise and refine it for the iPhone, we are focused on meeting consumers’ needs through our continued product innovations and support of Apple’s advancements.”
With the latest update to the App, users will continue to benefit from TomTom’s industry-leading navigation features, including:

- IQ Routes™ - Only TomTom uses actual speed data collected from millions of users to accurately calculate the travel time of your route. It allows for rush hour, traffic lights… even shopping crowds. So no matter what time it is, you can rely on IQ Routes to tell you when you’ll get there!
- Spoken street names** - Provides turn-by-turn spoken directions.
- Advanced lane guidance - Extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions by showing the user which lane to take for an upcoming exit.
- Local Search with Google™ - Allows a user to locate and route to countless points of interest (POIs) by tapping into the latest local Google listings from within the TomTom App.
- Multitasking functionality*** - Allows a user to receive turn-by-turn directions while the iPhone is running other applications.

Price and availability:

The TomTom App for iPhone is available for purchase via iTunes / App Store . Continental and regional versions of the TomTom App are available today for iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 3G and iPod touch users at http://www.tomtom.com/tomtom-app

Pricing varies by market. TomTom Western Europe and regional apps are currently available at the starting prices of R 668.40 (€69.99) and R 477.40 (€49.99), respectively.

TomTom App for iPhone runs on OS 3.0 and iOS 4, however users should upgrade to iOS 4 to be able to take full advantage of the application’s features.

* Feature available in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland and the UK.
** Please check in the local App store for availability.
*** Available on iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS & iPod touch 3rd Gen. running IOS4.

Joost Jetten and Nelio De Sa checking the Iphone App at Bloemfontein Stadium

TomTom and Sony revealed today a collaboration that will bring TomTom’s expertise in the field of navigation and services technology to Sony’s new Xplod AV Navigation Systems. This device comes fully connected* providing unprecedented live knowledge of the road ahead.

“We are delighted that Sony has selected TomTom as their navigation services supplier in Europe”, says Giles Shrimpton, Managing Director, TomTom Automotive. “This endorses our position as the leading location and navigation solutions provider. Combining the audio and video know-how of Sony with our navigational expertise has resulted in an excellent product range. Moreover, as the technology incorporates a flexible hardware design based on standard interfaces, it allows for easy updates in the future — a huge advantage in the automotive industry.”

The LIVE services include award winning HD Traffic(TM) built to get drivers through traffic quicker than any other traffic service. Drivers can stay ahead with up-to-date speed camera information on both fixed and mobile cameras en route, as well as live weather updates and local Google(TM) business address searches.

Along with these LIVE services drivers also get access to IQ Routes(TM) and Map Share(TM). Only TomTom uses actual speed data collected from millions of users to accurately calculate the travel time of any given route. It allows for rush hour, traffic lights, and even shopping crowds when calculating journey times. So no matter what time it is, IQ Routes can be relied upon to give an accurate arrival time.

Combined, these services provide drivers with the latest information on the road ahead, ensuring a stress-free, enjoyable drive.

*initially only available in France, Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom.

[Press Release from Business Wire]

Satellite navigation company Garmin is recalling approximately 1.25 million nüvi personal navigation devices, due to a potential fire hazard.

The company says about 796 000 of the 1.25 million units were sold in the US, but the company has not yet commented on the effect of the recall on the South African market.

It explains that the affected devices contain batteries manufactured by a third-party supplier within a defined date code range and have a specific printed circuit board (PCB) design.

“Garmin has identified potential overheating issues when the third-party supplier’s batteries manufactured within this limited date code range are used in certain Garmin devices with the PCB design. It appears that the interaction of these factors can, in rare circumstances, increase the possibility of overheating, which may lead to a fire hazard.”

Model issues

Only the 200W, 250W, 260W, 7xx and 7xxT (where xx is a two-digit number) models may be affected, according to Garmin. These units were sold worldwide.

The company adds that this issue has been identified in less than 10 cases in total, involving the specific nüvi models.

“None of the reported incidents have caused significant property damage and no injuries have occurred. Nevertheless, Garmin is proactively recalling nüvi units with the specific PCB design and with batteries from the specific date code range, out of an abundance of caution.”

It has urged customers to go online to determine if their nüvi device is one of the models affected by the recall and, if so, to participate in the programme.

To determine if a unit is affected, customers can visit the company Web site. “They will be asked to enter their nüvi’s serial number, and if their unit has the specific PCB design and contains a battery from the specific date range, they will be given instructions on how to return their nüvi at no charge.

“Garmin will replace the battery and insert a spacer on top of the battery next to the PCB before returning the nüvi to affected customers free of charge. Owners should not attempt to remove or service the battery on their own.”

The company adds that if customers are unable to access the Web site, they may contact Garmin telephonically. The numbers for Garmin in Europe, the Middle East and Africa are +44 870 850 1242 and 0808 238 0000.

“Garmin is making every effort to co-operate with customers, dealers, and regulatory agencies worldwide, and the company apologises for the inconvenience that this issue may cause.”

Market considerations

Garmin says it does not expect this recall to have a material adverse effect on its operations, financial position or cash flows.

“The battery supplier has agreed to share the cost of replacement battery packs and all other costs of the recall programme.”

[Info from Article by Farzana Razool appeared on ITWeb.co.za]

There are many different providers of GPS services - and it is often difficult for consumers to compare these products. Not all sales people have the knowledge to compare products with one another - and it is difficult to find an independent view from a knowledgeable person without a vested interest in any of these products.

I have come across a great summary by Christo van Gemert, an ITWeb journalist. His story on ITWeb is titled Satnav put to traffic test.

We would like to quote from his analysis:

“Readers in the Gauteng region will be familiar with this: you’re listening to your favourite CD or radio station. Suddenly, the beats are interrupted by a now-familiar jingle, and an announcer starts reading the traffic. The station offering these traffic announcements is Classic FM and the automated system is realised through RDS, or Radio Data System. It’s a protocol that embeds bits of digital information in the radio broadcast – in this case, Classic FM sends out a ’switch’ that tells your car radio to tune into the traffic report (assuming the TA option is enabled).

This is a basic system, of course. Getting traffic through radio stations has become a habit but, with half-hourly updates, often including outdated information, it’s not exactly reliable. Plus, it’s usually only available in peak hours.

Real-time traffic data has only been available for quite some time in those countries with more advanced infrastructure. Getting those systems up and running is a bit more complicated than a radio station getting traffic updates from listeners or a helicopter, then broadcasting it.

A lot of data needs to be gathered and sorted. That data has to come from somewhere, and that is where the new services from TomTom and Garmin differ.

Summary from ITWeb

Does it work?

First up, Garmin Live Traffic. A partnership with local tracking company, Altech NetStar, gives Garmin’s service a source for real-time information. Customers can opt in to share their location data with Altech Netstar, and this data is then collated. If 50 cars are stuck in a jam it shows up as 50 valid data sources, and the system recognises the snarl-up. Data is disseminated through RDS, the same system your car radio uses, and picked up by a Garmin Traffic Receiver. This is a little doodad that sits in the charging cable for your Garmin GPS – and yes, if you have a 1000-series Garmin nüvi you can buy this receiver separately and ‘upgrade’ your existing navigation unit with traffic capabilities. Garmin will also be releasing the 1300T, with an integrated traffic receiver.

The Garmin system isn’t perfect, though. There are a limited number of cars providing satellite coordinates, which makes it harder to reach saturation point for certain roads. Indeed, only main roads are usually on the map, making congested suburban routes a hit-or-miss commuting gamble. Additionally, users need to intervene manually to avoid traffic. When a route is plotted and traffic is detected, a second screen needs to be selected to bypass any jams.

Traffic information for Garmin Live Traffic is currently only available in Gauteng – though other metropolitan areas will get full coverage, soon, Garmin says.

Things are done differently with the TomTom. The HD Traffic service uses more granular information. According to TomTom, positioning data comes from official services (such as municipal traffic reports), existing GPS probes and GSM data – basically, information from cellphone towers. As a result, there are more data points for detecting any tie-ups, and this can even cover suburban roads. Routing around traffic is also automated, with no user input required.

HD Traffic doesn’t use RDS, though. Instead, it is fitted with a GSM module and has an actual Internet connection for receiving traffic updates from the Internet. This also endows it with a very powerful Google search function – now you can find all the restaurants in your vicinity, along with review ratings and contact details. This two-way link also lets users pinpoint traffic cameras and share the information with the TomTom map servers.

Should I buy it?
TomTom’s service is far more modern, but that comes at a higher price. Only one of its portable navigation units supports the service, the Go 750 Live, and that retails for R3 299 (with a one-year subscription). Annual subscription to HD Traffic is R499.

Shop around and you can have Garmin’s cheapest nüvi, the 1200, for about R1 700. Add R949 for the traffic bundle (receiver plus one-year subscription), and the total retail difference is just R650. Add another R299 a year for the Live Traffic subscription. If you already have a compatible Garmin unit, it’s only R950 you need to spend – existing TomTom users have no upgrade options.

Garmin offers an appealing package for those who travel on main routes and already own a unit, but for first-time buyers the TomTom Go 750 Live, as the only traffic unit from that company, is the one to get.

[Information with credit to Christo van Gemert, ITWeb]

Story from The Washington Post

The Washington Post has named the TomTom iPhone app as one of the Top 18 iPhone Apps. We would like to quote briefly from this story on The Washington Post

“Utilities and Timesavers

The TomTom app turns your phone into a GPS navigation device with turn-by-turn directions. Maps and routes are stored in your phone’s memory, so updating maps and changing routes happens quickly and without requiring a wireless network connection. $50″

Joost Jetten during a pre-World Cup visit to Bloemfontein

TomTom has combined its sub-Saharan Africa and Benelux operations and hopes to increase local market share to 50% in the next two years.

TomTom regional manager of sub-Saharan Africa Joost Jetten has been named VP of sales for Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg) and sub-Saharan Africa.

Jetten says the position has been newly created and another country manager for SA will be appointed in the next two months.

He explains that the sub-Saharan Africa and Benelux operations have been combined, because the company did not want to lose the knowledge base that had been created in Africa when he moved to the Benelux region.

“But maybe in one or two years, with the new country manager, the structure will change again.”

Jetten says recent partnerships and innovations have helped TomTom reach an annualised 30% market share for portable navigation devices (PND) in SA, after being in the country for just two years.

The PND producer started off with just 0.8% of the market share two years ago, according to Jetten.

He names the acquisition of Tele Atlas, the partnership with Tracker and TrafficNet and the month-old deal signed with Twitter as contributing factors to the increased market share.

“It’s just us and Garmin. Other navigation companies have come and gone.”

According to Avnic Holdings CEO Richard Fearon – Garmin’s exclusive distributor in SA – Garmin’s market position in the PND in-car device segment for the year ended December 2009 was over 57% (unit volume sales out), and for the first six months of 2010 is much the same.

“Low-cost players have taken share from our major competitors over the last 12 months, whereas Garmin’s share over the period has been trending upwards,” says Fearon. Garmin has a market share in excess of 90% in the outdoor navigation segment, he adds.

Jetten feels it is possible for TomTom to attain a 50% market share in the next two years if all goes according to plan. “First to market is something, but if all goes well it’s possible.”

However, World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck feels that smartphones with navigation functionality will create revenue challenges for PND producers.

He says handheld navigation systems will soon be a thing of the past. “We will see as many GPS devices in landfills as old phones before long.”

Goldstuck says applications, such as Garmaps for mobile and Google Maps, are making the smartphone a more popular way of navigating. He explains that people would rather purchase one device than two, and this is more cost-effective. “Already, we are faced with a clutter of gadgets and devices.”

TomTom’s achievement of 50% of local market share is possible only in terms of handheld devices, according to Goldstuck, but not in terms of the navigation market on the whole, including smartphones.

“This target suggests that Garmin will have to lose a lot of market share and I don’t think it’s as easy as that.” He adds that the market share of both Garmin and TomTom will drop because of smartphones.

Craig Bowen, marketing manager for marketing services company GfK Retail and Technology, says: “While TomTom has managed to get a foothold and compete in the South African PND market, there is still a huge amount of investment needed to take away the leadership position from Garmin. Garmin is defending well against TomTom and continues to leverage its first mover advantage in the South African PND market.”

Goldstuck also says TomTom would need to drop prices to get the added market share and this would create a challenge for revenue. “They’re going to have a big challenge in terms of revenue and in terms of market forces.”

Bowen adds that during Q1 and Q2 2010, the PND market has grown 30% in units over the same period in 2009 and only 6% in revenue. “In the last year (rolling 12-month period), the average price for a PND device has dropped by R600.”

Enabling interactivity

Two elements were specifically responsible for the quick success of TomTom in SA, according to Jetten. “The local organisation is the first element. You can always talk about your brand better than anyone else.”

The second element that allowed TomTom’s success was that it came into a market that was dominated by one company. Jetten explains that by coming in as competition in a monopoly, it offers locals a choice in the PND market.

He also says TomTom SA had to play catch up with the European organisation for a while. Releases here were always a while after new releases overseas, but now the release dates for SA are the same.

PNDs now have to place their focus on interactivity, he notes. “Community is driving market direction now. People ask others first when buying a product and do some of their own research via social media, so when they walk into a store they already know what they want. That’s why enabling interactivity is important.”

[Story by Farzana Rasool, ITWeb journalist appeared on ITWeb.co.za]

You can now be guided by all your Star Wars voices on your TomTom GPS device!!

View the behind the scenes footage from the recording of the voice of Yoda!!

TomTom said Tuesday that the company has signed Localeze, a business-listings identity management company, to provide local business information as points of interest for future TomTom GPS devices.

Localeze will provide over 14 million points of interest to TomTom GPSes, beginning in 2011, of which nearly 600,000 have been verified and managed by local businesses themselves.

The listings will be available for location-based applications and personal and in-car navigation systems powered by TomTom digital maps and content, TomTom said. The information will also be provided to application developers and other device manufacturers who use TomTom’s digital maps, the companies said.

The combination will undoubtedly help TomTom compete against companies like Google, which already has a database of local POIs and a free Google Maps Navigation app for smartphones, to boot. (TomTom has its own paid iPhone app, which it recently discounted. In March, the company said it would add free lifetime map subscriptions to some of its GPS devices.)

A Localeze spokeswoman told PCMag.com that the TomTom/Localeze combination would eliminate the necessity to access a business listing on the either a PC or phone browser and then manually enter it.

“We are pleased to work with an industry leader like TomTom and its industry customers, to deliver our descriptive local search business listings,” said Jeff Beard, president of Localeze, in a statement. “Relevant points of interest and information including a business’ name, address, and phone number drive a more dynamic and interactive experience for consumers when they are on-the-go.”

[Story by Mark Hachman appeared on PCMag.com]

Dutch navigation device maker TomTom said on Friday it will start to sell portable navigation devices (PNDs) in China and has closed a distribution deal with a local partner.

“It is not yet clear what we can expect from the Chinese market. It is not a large agreement,” said a TomTom spokesman, adding the company’s focus will remain on Europe and North America.

TomTom makes portable navigation devices for cars and mapping software for handheld computers.

[Reuters]

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Vehicle navigation system maker TomTom NV reported a 69 per cent rise in second quarter net profit Wednesday thanks largely to increased sales of maps and content to car manufacturers.

TomTom said its net profit for the quarter was €34 million (US$43.7 million), up from €20 million a year earlier while revenues slipped two per cent to €362 million from €368 million in last year’s second quarter.

TomTom maintained its forecast that revenues and profit would be broadly flat this year.

A growth area for TomTom was at its automotive division which sells maps and contents to car companies and their suppliers. Revenues grew 82 per cent to €44 million from €24 million a year earlier.

“We made some important steps this quarter with the development of our new software architecture, which will allow us to bring innovations to the market faster,” said CEO Harold Goddijn

The company said it was launching new products in the second half of the year that would boost demand, however it added that, “The stronger U.S. dollar is negatively impacting our margins and this will be more evident in the third quarter.”

TomTom said its market share in Europe rose from 44 per cent to 49 per cent compared to the same period last year while in North America market share grew from 19 per cent to 23 per cent.

[AP]