Firmware 6.51 for TomTom GO x10

Just a moment ago, TomTom has released firmware version 6.51 for the GO 510, 710 and 910. This release features support for TMC and TomTom CarConnect. Version 6.51 is only available through TomTom HOME.

TMC

Since last March, with the release of the current GO series, TomTom has promised to support TMC functionality. Now finally things seem to start moving, because one very important condition, software support for this feature, has been implemented in version 6.51 of the TomTom firmware. As opposed to with the current existing PLUS service of TomTom Traffic, traffic information via TMC is free. You only need a separate TMC antenna which is connected to the GO's car mount. These antennas are expected to ship by the end of this month.

TMC, short for Traffic Message Channel, contains information about traffic jams, road works, driving conditions and in some cases also mobile speed cameras. This information is transmitted for free via several FM radio stations. The TMC antenna accessory which will become available later this month is essentially nothing more than an FM aerial.

Firmware 6.51 will detect wheater or not a TMC antenna is present. If it is, the GO's menus get slightly adjusted. It then also shows the option "select RDS/TMC country". With this option, the user can select from which country he or she wishes to use the radio transmitters with TMC info. Standard the 'Strongest signal (any country)' is chosen. For those trips close to country borders, it may be handy to be able to select the country for which the info is relevant. On the bottom of the screen of the TomTom Traffic info menu, the transmitting channel which is used is displayed.

In case a traffic jam (or another incident) pops up on the route, there's the possibility to automatically have the GO re-calculate a new route and avoid the traffic jam. Should the user choose so, it's also possible to not have the route be re-calculated automatically, but rather let the GO ask the user if it should re-calculate or not. This functionality already existed in the former firmwares. The traffic info bar to the right of the screen is also slightly adjusted. A small bar is added to it, which displays the expected delay because of the nearest traffic incident, and the distance to it.

TomTom CarConnect

Besides the long-awaited TMC support, another accessory to be released is TomTom CarConnect. Firmware version 6.51 also supports this.

CarConnect helps to make for a better integration of all GO-models (and RIDER) with your car and available Bluetooth devices. The device is installed invisible to the eye behind the dashboard of the car, and enables route-instructions, phone calls and MP3 files to be played through the speakers of your standard headunit. It's also possible to let the GO switch between day or night view synchronously with the on or off switching of the car's headlights. The volume of the radio is muted each time sound is sent from the PND. The playing of MP3 files is still only possible with the recent x10 models, via the optional iPod Connect Cable.

It is very important that the CarConnect gets installed correctly. Because of this, TomTom will only acknowledge the warranty as valid if the device is installed through a TomTom approved and professional installer. At this time, we're not quite sure what the conditions are should you be a professional installer and want to become 'TomTom approved'.

Suspend screen

Firmware 6.51 also has one other new detail: when the unit gets switched off, a new screen appears. Standard this is an image which is meant to remind the PND owner to always take the unit out of the car in order to prevent theft. Excellent advise! Of course, just like with the start-up splash screen, it's also possible to change this image to something of your choosing. For this, simply replace the suspend.bmp file.

Missing

Usually we only talk about new stuff that gets added when new firmware is presented. With version 6.51 something was also dropped however. With this version, it's no longer possible to manage the POI's of the TomTom Safety camera warnings. The icons from these POI categories are now always displayed and can no longer be disabled. Apart from this, there's also only one warning noise to alert for upcoming safety cameras left anymore .

Finally, the warning distance for safety cameras has been set at 500 meter, and this also cannot be changed anymore. Especially in the city, this is very annoying. The PND beeps almost continuously in some cases because lots of cities are filled to the brim with safety cameras. We believe this is THE big minus for version 6.51!

Installation

The new firmware version is only offered through TomTom's HOME desktop application. HOME users need to connect their GO to the computer through USB, after which HOME will check the TomTom servers for content updates. The new firmware (indicated as: 'Program: TomTom Application for GO 510, 710, 910') can then be downloaded and installed automatically onto the connected device.