TomTom launches new Go x40 range of satnavs

• 
• 

 1 of 2

Gallery

Posted on 28 Aug 2008 at 17:16

TomTom has launched its new Go x40 Live range of satnavs , which benefit from the new HD Traffic service. This provides real-time traffic information, unlike previous traffic services which could be anything up to 30 minutes out of date. It means the new satnavs can constantly adapt to changes in traffic conditions. HD Traffic will be available on TomTom's new x40 Live series, which includes the TomTom GO 940 Live, TomTom GO 740 Live and TomTom GO 540 Live.

The Live service uses a Vodafone SIM card embedded into the x40 devices, and monitors how fast other TomTom users and Vodafone customers are travelling on roads at any given point in time. By measuring congestion in this way, the units will automatically direct users to use a better alternative route, and adjust the expected time of arrival accordingly.

As well as traffic information, the x40 range will also update fuel prices at the nearest petrol stations, as well as the locations of safety cameras, in partnership with Road Angel in the UK. TomTom has also teamed up with Google so that users can search for local points of interest using Google's comprehensive Directory service, which should be a significant improvement over the previous POI database stored on the device itself.

Users who recently upgraded to a x30 series may feel slightly hard done by, as the TomTom Live service will only be available on the x40 series, which will retail from £299. A three-month trial of TomTom Live will be bundled with x40 TomToms, and users can then subscribe to the service for £9.95 per month. The service has been available in the Netherlands since the end of 2007, but is now being launched in the UK, as well as Germany, France and Switzerland.

In addition, the company has updated its IQ Routes technology (first seen on the x30 range) so that estimated travel durations are based on how long it has taken TomTom users to travel over roads in the past, depending on the time of day, every day, at five minute intervals. Previously, routing was simply based on the speed limits of roads.

"The introduction of the new TomTom GO x40 Live series and Live Services marks a fundamental breakthrough in the quality and functionality of navigation devices, and how people will use them," said TomTom CEO Harold Goddijn.

"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."

The x40 range should be available in October, and we'll bring you a full review as soon as devices become available.

Author: Dawinderpal Sahota