TomTom Now on Android

[xcel]

$59.99 gets you TomTom North America maps and navigation for your Android based smartphone.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Oct. 7, 2012

A screenshot of TomTom’s portable GPS NAVI solution for Android.

While not a fan of the TomTom NAVI solution from a few years back, apparently the latest GUI and actions are right up there with the best that Garmin has to offer. We will have to see about that?

Last month, Android users got their first glimpse of TomTom's new app at its preview during the IFA consumer electronics show. Now the TomTom Navigation app for Android is available for download from Google Play for the first time.

Available at an introductory price of $59.99, the TomTom Navigation app includes the latest TomTom maps that are stored on your phone meaning you do not have to worry about losing signal in the middle of your journey or roaming charges when travelling abroad. The app includes, free quarterly map updates which ensures that drivers always have the latest map on their smartphone.

Features of TomTom Navigation for Android:

• Fully off-line and navigable map. With or without signal, high-resolution maps offer fast offline loading and routing.
  
  
• FREE Lifetime maps. Users will always have the latest map to ensure they get to their destination as quickly as possible. Users will receive four free map updates per year for the life of the app.
  
  
• IQ Routes. The fastest routes, the most accurate and reliable arrival times at all times of day.
  
  
• HD Traffic. Live traffic updates help users reach their destinations faster. This is available via an in-app purchase.
  
  
• Speed Cameras. Avoid speeding fines with real-time camera alerts. This is available via an in-app purchase.
  
  
• TomTom Places - Search results.
  
  
• Multitasking support. Clear turn-by-turn guidance while on the phone.
  
  
• Seamless Integration. Integrates easily with Android smartphone contacts.
  
  
• Advanced Lane Guidance. Provides extra clarity when navigating difficult junctions.
  
  
• Spoken Street Names. Allows drivers to keep their eyes on the road - spoken instructions now include street names, making turnings even clearer.

Additional features include:

• 2D/3D driving view
• Clear voice instructions
• Fast route recalculation
• Multi-stop routes
• Eco Routes
• Navigate to contacts
• Millions of pre-installed POIs
• Automatic music fading
• Automatic day & night mode
• Car symbols
• Map colors

North American Map Coverage

• A full and up-to-date map is stored on your phone
• Fast and reliable mapping that does not require a cellular signal or data plan usage
• No data roaming costs are incurred when traveling abroad
• US, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico (74%)

Smartphone requirements:

Android OS: 2.2 or higher
Screen resolution: 800x480 or 854x480. TomTom says they are committed to supporting higher resolutions on an ongoing basis.
Storage: 215 MB – 3.7 GB of free space required, depending on the app and the associated map.

[herm]

This is a dangerous thing for Tom Tom to do, customers will also think of the free Google nav apps

[TheStepChild]

Exactly my thought.
Why pay $60 for tomtom when I have Google navigation, and Sprint navigation and so many other apps for free

[Ophbalance]

I've never used google maps. There's just not enough data coverage to use it in my area. TomTom is FAR too late to this party. Where were they when most WinMo folks (who COULD get a TomTom app) were switching to Android? I loved TomTom on my WinMo phone.

I use CoPilot presently, but I'd switch back to TomTom for sure.

[TheStepChild]

Ok, looked at it in app store and I see a couple +s. No data signal, no data roaming charges.

I always had to turn off data and Gps on phone when crossing the border into Canada.

[thunderstruck]

Google Maps also offers the feature of storing maps on your phone to eliminate data connection need, don't know anything about it. With GM, Mapquest and Waze on the phones, all for free, I just don't see the need for this. And my Garmin GPS unit is much better than my TomTom, which just sits on my shelf.

[herm]

Google maps data can be prestored in your phone or tablet if there is no data coverage, but not the whole country worth. Probably enough to cover the bad spots with some planning on a normal trip.

Up to 6 blocks of 80MB are allowed by Google, one block will cover all of dense Miami as an example (hackers are working on expanding that). Usually you have data coverage along major highways.

[MikeMarsUK]

What you don't get with the google pre-loaded maps option is navigation. It still needs to call back to the google multiplex for routes. However you can still see the map itself if you have preloaded it, regardless of whether you have a data connection or not.

The TomTom app would be useful for unplanned driving in a foreign country.

[brick]

I can see paying $60 for something like this instead of buying more hardware. But on the topic of hardware, If I switch to a new Android device at contract time like a good waster/consumer do I have to buy it again?

[Ophbalance]

Originally Posted by brick

I can see paying $60 for something like this instead of buying more hardware. But on the topic of hardware, If I switch to a new Android device at contract time like a good waster/consumer do I have to buy it again?

Nope. And unlike a PC, you can install it on ANY android device you've got hooked up to that same market account. So, even though I had to pay $3-5 for apps back when I first got into Android, I've now had them on 4 separate pieces of hardware, across multiple different OS updates (2.2, 2.3, 4.x, etc).