VIA includes Voice Command Control with a whole host of upgrades. The connected Live version adds even more.
Wayne Gerdes -
CleanMPG - Sept. 10, 2010
TomTom Via LIVE 125 – Premium Connected Portable GPS w/ Voice Control and a 5" screen for the mid-range market.
TomTom Via
The launch of the new TomTom Via makes TomTom the first GPS NAVI provider to bring a hands-free solution with Voice Control to mid-range devices. Packed with innovative features and designed for convenience, the TomTom Via makes premium navigation accessible to all.
The TomTom Via includes the added benefit of TomTom Speed Cameras locations on the road ahead, which according to the company helps drivers to stay safe and relaxed. Yeah, right
A first for the mid-range market, Voice Control lets drivers operate their device simply by speaking. They can input addresses and navigate with ease – all without taking their hands off the wheel or their eyes off the road. On Via 120 and 125 models, TomTom also brings hands-free calling (via Bluetooth®) to the mid-market audience, allowing drivers to use their device as a car-kit for their mobile phone.
The TomTom Via also provides a reliable Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) at any time of the day based on intelligent IQ Routes speed profiles collected from millions of users. Now drivers can relax and go with the flow, knowing exactly when they’re due to arrive.
The TomTom Via also has the added convenience of a brand new foldaway mount which is integrated with the device, so it’s always there when drivers need it. This clever mount easily attaches to the windscreen and, using the optional mounting disk, drivers can turn the device 180 degrees – a sensor flips the screen the right way up, enabling them to position it wherever suits them best.
And that’s not all: with the TomTom Via, drivers can see more and drive easy thanks to a new user interface, plus a choice of a 4.3” or 5” touch screen. And every device comes with new, richer maps covering an additional 1.25 million miles of European roads displayed in greater detail, putting more information at drivers’ fingertips. All this is wrapped up in a stylish, brushed aluminum design, with the diamond-cut screen bezel edge.
TomTom VIA Live
The new Via LIVE brings the most accurate traffic information with enhanced driving features, including full Voice Control and hands-free call answering as standard. The VIA Live also adds full connectivity providing unprecedented live knowledge of the road ahead.
With TomTom HD Traffic bundled free for the first year for all customers, Via LIVE is built to get drivers through traffic quicker than any other traffic service plus live weather updates and local Google Business address searches.
So whatever way drivers look at it, the new TomTom Via LIVE succeeds in bringing the best innovation to the road, for the ultimate in easygoing navigation.
Availability and pricing: The VIA and VIA Live GPS units will be available later this fall while retail pricing has yet to be released.
TomTom HD Traffic Details – Big Brother is Watching You
Many rush hour drivers are already actively looking for traffic information both before and during their trips. This usually means relying on radio broadcasts, but can also include SMS messaging services, television, Teletext, roadside signs and the Internet.
The difficulty with the data that these traditional methods use is that it relies mainly on a fixed single source of information. This coupled with the fact that updates could be less regular than drivers need, causes problems of reliability. It is very frustrating for drivers to find that they have just missed an update and end up in a jam, without knowing when they might get through it.
Which leads us to another issue – the current services are limited in the source information they can reference, making them less reliable for route changes or more realistic estimated times of arrival. In effect, these don’t give drivers the full picture, making it difficult for them to use the information to make an informed route decision.
TomTom’s solution
The limitations of existing technology spurred the navigation industry to explore new solutions. TomTom has developed a new traffic information service that includes data from mobile phone companies and combines them with other sources to provide the most accurate information.
Rather than simply measuring the lengths of traffic jams, information from the GSM network from travelling mobile phone users makes it possible to monitor, in real time, the actual speed of millions of cars across the road network. This data can be merged with anonymous real-time GPS data from connected TomTom customers and information from traffic authorities, road operators and commercial third parties. The key to the power of this service lies in the ability to compare these data sources, filling in any gaps and providing a much more robust picture of the traffic situation than is possible when there is less data, and coverage, to go on.
TomTom’s system is intelligent and self-learning, with the ability to screen out data that would contaminate the results, for example mobile phones on a speeding train in the vicinity or motorists stuck on the hard shoulder. The scalability of the system also means that future sources can be easily added, giving an even fuller picture to the
driver, and giving them a feeling of control in any traffic situation.
TomTom’s navigation device maintains a constant live GPRS data connection to its traffic center. This has resulted in a truly next-generation traffic service, providing drivers with a far more accurate estimated time of arrival (ETA), constantly updated in line with the current traffic situation.
This cutting-edge technology was launched in the TomTom ONE XL HD (High Definition) Traffic device in the Netherlands at the end of 2007. The very best data sources are merged to deliver an accurate view of the traffic situation throughout the road network. And the ONE XL HD Traffic ensures a constant connection to the service and an easy out-of-the-box experience so drivers always make the right decision when it comes to selecting an alternative route.
Big brother technologies helping you get to your destination on time.
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