TomTom has released a specially designed gift for Valentine’s Day. The ‘I’d Be Lost Without You’ navigation package includes a pure white TomTom Start, Flaming Red StartSkin™, carry bag and pre-loaded Points of Interest (POIs).

The TomTom Start is easy to use and has all the quality features you’d expect from TomTom, making it the ideal Valentine gift for technology lovers – or novices – everywhere. Belinda Parmar, Founder of Lady Geek consultancy*, thinks it’s a great Valentine gift idea for women. She says, “TomTom understands what women want; simple, intuitive technology that is a joy to use.” But it’s not only functional; the TomTom Start is great fun too. The device comes with exclusive red accessories in a Valentine package designed to set hearts racing.

The Flaming Red StartSkin included in the ‘I’d Be Lost Without You’ package ensures the device is dressed to impress - and there’s even a matching carry bag to protect the screen from scratches. The Points of Interest (POIs) cover a wide range of destinations, including restaurants, hotels and cinemas, making it perfect for couples spending time together on Valentine’s Day. What’s more, you can keep on updating the ‘I’d Be Lost Without You’ device to match your style after Valentine’s Day is over. Other Start Skins are available to buy separately, and more POIs, start-up screens and funny voices can be downloaded using the free TomTom HOME software.

The user-friendly device and themed accessories add up to a fun, practical gift for your loved one. As Belinda Parmar continues: “TomTom Start does not conform to stereotypes of flashy gimmicks and special effects. It has one aim which it delivers on: making your life easier. And the best thing is you do not need to read a manual the size of War and Peace - it is intuitive technology at its best.

At last a technology company that is putting more thought and understanding into to how real women actually use and engage with technology in the real world.” The ‘I’d Be Lost Without You’ package will be available from February in Game, HiFi Corportaion, Incredible Connection, Makro, Automobile Association (AA) stores, Lab88 and Agrinet with a recommended price of
R 1599.00. For more information please visit www.tomtom.co.za

-ENDS-

Notes to editors
About TomTom Start
TomTom Start standard key features include:
Easy to use
• Plug and Go – no installation needed, just plug in and tap the touch screen
• Simplified menu – two simple buttons: ‘Plan route’ and ‘Browse map’
• Lightweight (128g) device with a 3.5” screen and semi-fixed EasyPort™ mount that folds neatly onto the back of the device, making the device simple to remove and carry
• Clear voice instructions

Best maps
• Map Share technology – thousands of free map corrections made by TomTom users every day

Enhanced safety
• Realistic visual instructions – replicated road signs, making them easier to follow
• High quality speaker – for voice instructions at an adjustable volume
• Help menu – provides direct access to emergency numbers and directions to the nearest emergency providers

Accessories
• USB car charger
• Promotional home charger also included
• Red skin cover & carry bag

* Lady Geek advises technology companies on understanding and selling to women. See http://ladygeek.org.uk

For more information, images and samples please contact:

Media Enquiries
Jeanre Ruddy
CRAVING NOVITY

AMSTERDAM, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Dutch navigation device maker TomTom (TOM2.AS), facing threats from Google (GOOG.O) and Nokia’s (NOK1V.HE), said it expects to keep high margins on its devices and software, according to an interview published on Tuesday.

TomTom Chief Executive Harold Goddijn, speaking to Dutch daily Telegraaf, said that the device maker was well positioned and that its purchase of mapping software provider Tele Atlas in 2008 for 2.9 billion euros ($4 billion) was starting to pay off.

Margins on hardware are still expected to be at 40 percent, while margins for mapping software licences would be at 50 percent, Goddijn was quoted as saying.

Still, shares in TomTom, which makes portable navigation devices for cars and mapping software for handheld computers, have fallen 57 percent since late October when web search and software company Google said it would introduce similar software for mobile phones, spooking investors.

“Consumers will still want products optimally designed for what they do,” Goddijn was quoted as saying, referring to dedicated navigation devices. (Reuters,Reporting by Reed Stevenson; Editing by David Cowell)

Joost Jetten from TomTom at Vodacom Park

There has been much discussion about the safety of football spectators coming to the World Cup hosted in South Africa. There have been ridiculous claims made about the need for safety vests and bodyguards etc. None of these were required for the 2009 Confederations Cup, the Lions Rugby Tour or the IPL20 in South Africa – and there should be no need for desperate measures during the World Cup.

On the Arrive Alive website we have included specific sections of content aimed at the World Cup 2010 to assist all our spectators. These include

• Spectator Survical Guide for Safety on road to the Sports Stadium
• Road Safety Advice for Foreigners Travelling in South Africa
• Guide to Safety and Driving on Safari

World Leader in GPS Navigation TomTom is providing assistance to the Arrive Alive website team in providing information online to ensure that visitors arrive safely at their destination in South Africa!

We would like to invite all our football spectators to view the information on the Arrive Alive website as well as all the emergency information included on the mobile website arrivealive.mobi.

Also view:

• GPS coordinates of World Cup 2010 Football Stadiums

I have come across an interesting story of a Charlotte woman who claims to have been distracted by her talking GPS when she ran a stop sign and injured 9 members of a Midland family in Isabella county.

The story, appearing in the Saginaw News reveals that the motorist, distracted by her talking global positioning system, missed a stop sign and collided with a 16-passenger van transporting a Midland family about 11:45 a.m. Monday.

We have discussed in several blog posts and on the Arrive Alive Road Safety website how a GPS device can add to safety on the road. It is however important to remember that NO device can or should take away the need for common sense. Road conditions and traffic signs are things to be observed and to be acted upon –no device can replace the need for driver alertness!

We would like to urge road users to be alert and vigilant at all times!

Also view:

• GPS and Road Safety
• GPS Navigation Technology and buying a GPS Device
• GPS works best in partnership with common sense

Driver attentiveness received much publicity during the past year. Several research studies were aimed at the risks of driver distraction and cellular phone technology have been pinned as one of the major contributing factors to driver distraction.

But what are the relationship between driver workload and the use of a GPS device? Does a GPS device help the driver to keep his eyes on the road or is it further distracting the driver?

From the studies with the instrumented vehicle by TUV and DLR (Germany) and by Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (the USA) it is clear that the use of a navigation system reduces driver workload when driving in an unfamiliar area. Workload in these studies was measured objectively – by means of the Peripheral Detection Task - and subjectively - by means of the RSME (Rating Scale Mental Effort).

In the survey the majority of the users in most countries indicate that the use of a navigation system makes it easier to keep their attention to the road which is in line with the workload findings from the instrumented vehicle studies.

Again, the results from the user survey in the Netherlands (Vonk et al.,2007) support the above findings concluding that navigation systems make it easier to keep their attention on the road, that the objective workload reduces when driving with a navigation system in an unfamiliar area and also more than two thirds of users do not agree with the statement that they are more distracted by the use of a navigation system.

Also view:

• GPS and Road Safety
• GPS Navigation Technology and buying a GPS Device
• GPS works best in partnership with common sense

The Accidents Blog at www.accidents.co.za

We would like to share the findings on this important question from an international research report:

The instrumented vehicle study conducted by TUV and DLR (Germany) and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (the USA) was designed to be comparable to the instrumented vehicle study conducted in the Netherlands by TNO (Vonk et al., 2007). The effects of driving with a navigation system on driving behaviour and on workload were investigated in a real life drive or driving situation.

The survey shows that in all countries a majority of the users of a navigation system indicated that they feel less stressed when they use their navigation system.

The users of a navigation system indicate they feel calmer in their car when using a navigation system while driving.

Also view:

• GPS and Road Safety
• GPS Navigation Technology and buying a GPS Device
• GPS works best in partnership with common sense

In a few months from now the South African Football Team will play the opening match of the 2010 Football World Cup against Mexico. These countries now also have something in common –both can enjoy the ease of GPS navigation provided by leading GPS Provider TomTom. We would like to share the media release on the availability of TomTom in Mexico:

Las Vegas, NV. — At CES, TomTom announced the availability of the TomTom GO 630, XL 330S and ONE 130 in Mexico.

With a lower end product offering, consumers in Mexico can now benefit from TomTom’s unique features, acclaimed ease-of-use and superior routing. Devices in Mexico come with one year of map updates, so users always have the latest Tele Atlas map.

“With the introduction of these new products, consumers in Mexico can join the 30 million users worldwide who already enjoy the unparalleled navigation experience TomTom provides,” said Elias Kabeche, TomTom’s Regional Director, Latin America. “We are happy to offer a variety of products to cater to individual preference and need. All TomTom customers will benefit from unique TomTom features, such as Map Share and ‘Help Me!’, regardless of which product they choose.”

The GO 630, XL 330S and ONE 130 incorporate several key navigation features:

•Map Coverage – The devices come pre-installed with the most up-to-date maps of Mexico and the US. TomTom products feature maps from Tele Atlas, which in recent certified tests rated highest for quality and reliability. The maps cover hundreds of thousands of miles of roadways in Mexico’s top cities, including Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey and Puebla, and popular vacation spots such as Puerto Vallarta and Acapulco. The maps also include more than 100,000 Points of Interest.

•TomTom Map Share is a unique map improvement technology that enables users to easily and instantly improve maps directly on their device. Map Share users can also receive map improvements made by the TomTom community via TomTom HOME, TomTom’s free desktop software application, so their TomTom devices always has the most-up-to-date maps available.

•‘Help Me!’ Safety Menu – TomTom’s exclusive ‘Help Me!’ feature gives TomTom users direct access to safety and emergency service information. The extensive ‘Help Me!’ menu includes information such as breakdown service numbers and directions to the nearest car repair service or hospital. Other safety features include automatic re-routing, timed driving breaks and menu accessibility options.

•Spoken Street Names – TomTom XL 330S users can benefit from turn-by-turn spoken street names. Instead of saying “turn right in 200 meters” the device will say “turn right on Reforma street in 600 feet.” This feature makes it even easier for drivers to keep their eyes on the road while navigating through busy traffic and convoluted roadways.

•Hands-free Calling – TomTom GO 630 users can benefit from enhanced hands-free calling via Bluetooth. This allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the wheel while making phone calls in the car.
All TomTom devices also include preloaded Points of Interest (POIs), such as gas stations, restaurants and hotels.

Also view:

• GPS and Road Safety
• GPS Navigation Technology and buying a GPS Device
• GPS works best in partnership with common sense

The GPS provider TomTom has won the Webby Award for the Best Consumer Electronics website for their website Secret Services. TomTom has been chosen as winner by the members of the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences.

View the website TomTom Secret Services

This is an important aspect to consider, not only by drivers and road safety experts – but also by GPS manufacturers. We would like to provide some important findings from an important research study:

The instrumented vehicle study conducted by TUV and DLR (Germany) and Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (the USA) was designed to be comparable to the instrumented vehicle study conducted in the Netherlands by TNO (Vonk et al., 2007). The effects of driving with a navigation system on driving behaviour and on workload were investigated in a real life drive or driving situation.

Subjects had to drive several routes on different road types while their driving behaviour and workload were assessed. Subjects drove both with a navigation system and with conventional methods like paper maps and printed instructions from internet route planners.

Overall on the different aspects of driver awareness the users indicate they feel more relaxed, more in control and more alert even though drivers indicate they do operate the navigation system while driving. Over 65% of the users in all countries agree with the statement that they are more in control during their trip since they are using a navigation system.

From the survey study in the Netherlands (Vonk et al., 2007) it was also concluded that drivers indicated they were more alert when driving with a navigation system. Approximately 80% of the users indicate that they feel more in control when driving with a navigation system. Alertness showed lower results in the Netherlands, but still 45% of the users claimed to be more alert using a navigation system.

Also view:

• GPS and Road Safety
• GPS Navigation Technology and buying a GPS Device
• GPS works best in partnership with common sense

An American couple letting their sport utility vehicle’s navigation system guide them through the high desert of the state of Oregon got stuck in snow for three days when the GPS unit sent them down a remote forest road.

On Sunday, atmospheric conditions apparently changed enough for their GPS-enabled cellphone to get a weak signal and relay coordinates to a dispatcher, Klamath County Sheriff Tim Evinger said.

“GPS almost did ‘em in and GPS saved ‘em,” Evinger said. “It will give you options to pick the shortest route. You certainly get the shortest route. But it may not be a safe route.”

Evinger said the couple got stranded Christmas Day and a sheriff’s deputy found them in the Winema-Fremont National Forest outside the small town of Silver Lake on Sunday afternoon and pulled their four-wheel-drive Toyota Sequoia out of the snow with a winch.

John Rhoads, 65, and his wife, Starry Bush-Rhoads, 67, made it home safely to Reno, Nevada.

“It will be (a Christmas) we remember the rest of our lives,” Starry Bush-Rhoads said in a telephone interview from her home. “They said if they didn’t find us ’til this time next spring, we wouldn’t be happy.”

The couple was well-equipped for winter travel, carrying food, water and warm clothes, the sheriff said.

“Their statement was, being prepared saved their life,” he said.

The couple had been in Portland and followed their GPS as it directed them south on U.S. Highway 97 to Oregon Highway 31, which goes through Silver Lake and Lakeview before connecting with U.S. Highway 395 to Reno, Evinger said.

In the town of Silver Lake, the unit told them to turn right on Forest Service Road 28, and they followed that and some spur roads nearly 56km before getting stuck in snow near Thompson Reservoir, the sheriff said.

“For some reason, they finally got a weak signal after 2 days,” Evinger said. “They called in. They alternated between two different cellphone numbers.”

A GPS-enabled phone is able to send its coordinates to emergency dispatchers, and eventually one of the couple’s phones sent its location to the dispatcher’s console, the sheriff said.

- AP