TomTom teams up with Google

TomTom and Google have announced a partnership which makes it even easier for users to plan their route ahead. Starting today, it's possible to put addresses which have been located through Google Maps directly onto a TomTom PND.

Google Maps greatly simplifies the locating of business addresses, and then the location data can be sent to TomTom's desktop application HOME with a few clicks of the mouse. The user can choose whether he wants to add the location to his favourites, show the location on the map or calculate a direct route to the address.

Send

The 'send' function in several local versions of Google maps can now also be used to send data directly to TomTom PND's. Until now, this kind of data could be sent via email, or directly to the built-in navigational systems of BMW and Mercedes cars.

To be able to use this option, navigate to the international version of Google Maps. In the UK, the local version works equally well, but this is not the case (yet) in every country. In the end all local versions of Google Maps will be adapted though.

For this to work, Google is using the 'Add-to-TomTom' service which TomTom developed and made available earlier this year. This free service can be used to send several kinds of content directly from the internet to TomTom PND's. Not only addresses, but also Points of Interest (including all detail data) and complete routes can be transferred.

Simple

Companies who want to use this system to send their content to TomTom navigational systems, can implement this very easily. Via a closed format, which was developed by TomTom, several variables can be sent to TomTom HOME, which will then start up automatically The user can then confirm whether to add the content or not.

The 'Add-to-TomTom'-service enables companies to supply their contacts swiftly and easily with information about their location(s). This collaboration between Google Maps and TomTom provides end-users with millions of addresses across the entire world.

Pleased

Giorgio Scherl, Product Manager for Google, is very pleased with the joint venture with TomTom: "We are delighted to be working with TomTom to offer this exciting new service to our users. We are constantly working to make our maps more useful so they become a one-stop-shop for finding all the local information and directions that people need."

Eric Pité, vice-president for TomTom Product Management adds: "The ability to search, find and send information from the web to a TomTom is something we have been investing in for some time now. We are pleased to work together with Google Maps on this personalization functionality. This cooperation represents a major step for TomTom in meeting the growing demands of our customers for personalised content for their TomTom devices."

TomTom is aiming for more joint ventures with other companies in the future, taking the personalisation of their navigational devices to a higher level. A short introductory clip on how Google Maps now works in combination with HOME can be found here.