In 2007, TomTom mainly gave CeBIT a miss, but this year they are back in Hanover. Today, one day before the official opening of the fair, the company announced a number of new consumer products, the most important of those being: the new GO x30 (Traffic) with NavCore 8 and an external receiver for TomTom's HD Traffic technology.
GO 930, 730 and 530
Only a few months after the 'old' top of the range model, the 920(T), became available in the shops, the range is already ancient history. TomTom announced their new range for the year, the x30 series. The short period between the two launches can probably be understood a bit better if we mention that the new series is 100% identical to the GO x20 range. The company has chosen to only update the colours of the GO 930, GO 730 and GO 530, by dropping the silvery look and replacing it with classy black. This means real novelties can only happen in software this time, and in the supplied RDS/TMC receiver of the Traffic versions.
Advanced Lane Guidance
The TomTom GO 930 (with Tele Atlas maps of Europe, US and Canada), 730 (Western and Eastern Europe) and 530 (with regional map) are shipped with the newest version (8) of TomTom's NavCore navigational software. The biggest innovation this new software version brings is without a doubt Advanced Lane Guidance.
As other PND manufacturers have done before, like Navigon eg., TomTom now also offers help with navigating in difficult situations, particularly on motorways. For this, about 800 meters before the turn/exit, a static image of the layout is shown, on which the lane which should be taken is clearly highlighted. The road signs above the road are also indicated as realistically as possible. All this is completed by a new symbolic display in the status bar of the lanes which should be chosen.
IQ Routes
A not so noticeable, but nonetheless important expansion to NavCore 8 are the so-called IQ Routes. This new TomTom technology should make for more accurate travel-time calculations. For this, real-time average speeds on roads are used by means of the statistical data which TomTom receives from its users (anonymously). In calculating the routes, factors like days of the week and time of day are added to the equation. Even not so obvious information like the number of traffic lights, the number of roundabouts and speed bumps are used in this calculation to make sure the end result is as reliable as possible.
For other novelties and more details with regards to NavCore 8 innovations, including our very first practical experiences, please read our exclusive
'NavCore 8: IQ Routes and Advanced Lane Guidance' special.
The TomTom GO 930, GO 730 and GO 530 will be in the shops from the beginning of this April. The devices will also be available in a Traffic version. These units come with the RDS/TMC antenna shipped in the box. TomTom have not released any prices of its new PND range.
HD Traffic receiver
The HD technology which was introduced by TomTom in the Netherlands in November of last year will soon also be available to the owners of both the new GO x30 series and the GO 920, 720 and 520 owners. TomTom will release the necessary external receivers for this very soon now.
The HD Traffic technology uses anonymous, mobile phone generated data which is combined with existing traffic information sources. This way, TomTom is able to determine more accurately where certain slowdowns are taking place and how long it will take to travel from point A to B. The HD Traffic series is currently only available in Holland, but later this year Germany and The UK will follow. France is planned for 2009.
The TomTom HD Traffic receiver will be for sale as a power adapter plug, in which a SIM card with GPRS modem is built-in. This accessory also features a lithium-ion battery, so it will continue to function even if the power source is (momentarily) switched off. (like eg. when operating the car's ignition ). The unit will sell for ¤ 99.95. This includes 6 months of HD Traffic subscription including a live data connection (GPRS). After this period, this service can be extended at any time for ¤ 9.95 /month.
For the owners of a GO 920 or 720, TomTom will soon release a software update which will make these devices HD Traffic compliant. Later this year, a comparable software update will follow for other TomTom navigational devices.
It is to be expected that there will also be special versions of TomTom devices available in the shops, which will include the HD Traffic receiver in the box.
Other news:
March 2
Posted on: March 3, 2008 - 20:10 hour
By:
hippy_1978
Hi,
I thought the new HD was going to be a built in function and no need for an aerial any more?
Thnaks
Matt
Posted on: March 3, 2008 - 20:23 hour
By:
Bart
This function is 'built in'. So to speak anyway. The PND needs to connect to the TomTom servers for this to work. This is done via GPRS on the mobile phone network. Hence the need for a SIM card and a mobile phone subscription.
There will also be TT PND's in the future with which you will be able to just slide this SIM card in (actually there already is one: the ONE XL HD - not available in the UK currently), but for now, TomTom chose this option to remain compatible with their x20 series and offer HD to a lot more of their customers without having to force them to buy a new device.
Posted on: March 3, 2008 - 21:12 hour
By:
stingray
after the first few seconds of reading this i was starting to fume as I'd only last week purchased a 920T! Phew! I like the idea of better lane direction as this can be confusing on complicated junction exits; I've made this error more than a few times myself.
If like me u're using the 920T I assume one doesnt need the TMC receiver anymore?
Posted on: March 3, 2008 - 21:32 hour
By:
shadamehr
For those of us already using Traffic via Wireless Data, why exactly is a separate external unit needed plus a new SIM etc?
If we already have a two way data path, why do we need to get yet another sim card?
Or is this because of the exclusivity of it, in terms of Vodafone only?
I'm confused?
If it is because Vodafone is the partner, and only their masts and cells can be used to measure this, then why then still would existing Wireless users already WITH Vodafone still need a separate new add on and SIm?
Posted on: March 3, 2008 - 21:36 hour
By:
shadamehr
Oh........
I see from the screen shots, that they have changed what appears on Page 1 of Map Corrections - i.e. the ones that get amended straight away.
Now you can change road speed, and change junction turn directions too, according to the screen shots.
Still no adding or removing roundabouts however, as this obviously requires too much actual map layour change.
Posted on: March 3, 2008 - 22:18 hour
By:
Bart
I guess you still need an external unit and not only your Bluetooth enabled phone because indeed this is a Vodafone thing only. This way, also subscribers from other mobile phone companies can still use this service without having to switch. (you only need a prepaid Vodafone card for it to work)
There might be other technical reasons as well, like eg. not all mobile phones support gprs, and not all gprs supporting phones support it correctly. This way TomTom avoids all these problems.
Posted on: March 3, 2008 - 22:30 hour
By:
shadamehr
QUOTE (Bart @ Mar 3 2008, 21:18) 
I guess you still need an external unit and not only your Bluetooth enabled phone because indeed this is a Vodafone thing only. This way, also subscribers from other mobile phone companies can still use this service without having to switch. (you only need a prepaid Vodafone card for it to work)
There might be other technical reasons as well, like eg. not all mobile phones support gprs, and not all gprs supporting phones support it correctly. This way TomTom avoids all these problems.
Yeah, but what I had asked, was if you DO have Vodafone, and DO have Wireless Traffic already, why can you not use it that way.
The "avoid issues" point there is not valid, as that could exactly be said about standard wireless traffic...
"not all phones have gprs, not all support it correctly etc"
The exact same already applies to standard traffic - the onus is on the user to see.
So no different for HD traffic.
Why can't existing Vodafone users with Traffic simply switch to this.
The real reason, and what i am itching at I suspect, is a commercial one - they want your money all over again, and this way it ensures they get it *lol*
?
Posted on: March 3, 2008 - 23:42 hour
By:
jonstatt
So if the 920 is identical to the 930 in hardware (except for the silver to black faceplate), will a software/firmware update come out for the 920 that makes it identical to the 930 in software as well? Or will they intentionally cripple the 920 to maintain a differentiator in the product line? I know the traffic support is mentioned, but what about the lane and IQ stuff?
Posted on: March 4, 2008 - 00:14 hour
By:
Antti
I truly hope TomTom has sense of releasing NavCore 8 very soon for x20 series since they aren't actually old. Especially the 920 (t)... I'm not that bothered about the HD receiver (sure they want to release that one ASAP even if its only useable in Holland right now...) Anyway, I don't get why they released x30 series if its 100% same as x20 minus the colours? What they actually released was NavCore 8 and HD traffic receiver.
Posted on: March 4, 2008 - 00:18 hour
By:
Antti
QUOTE (jonstatt @ Mar 4 2008, 00:42)
Or will they intentionally cripple the 920 to maintain a differentiator in the product line? I know the traffic support is mentioned, but what about the lane and IQ stuff?
If they release NC 8 on x20 it will be x30 with different colour. However, we don't know if it will be released. However, that wouldn't be very smart move since 920 was only recently released.
Posted on: March 4, 2008 - 07:12 hour
By:
Bart
QUOTE (shadamehr @ Mar 3 2008, 22:30)
Why can't existing Vodafone users with Traffic simply switch to this.
The real reason, and what i am itching at I suspect, is a commercial one - they want your money all over again, and this way it ensures they get it *lol*
I believe the reason is twofold. For one this makes sure every HD user stays in the network every time they use their PND. The keeps TomTom ensured of receiving the data they need to make this all work.
The second reason is commercial, no doubt. After all, TomTom is a company, and we all know the sole reason of existence for *any* company is to make money. Nothing wrong with that since this attitude brings us all these nice toys to play with.
I for one am very happy they released this HD power lead as an accessory, and not just went the easy route, by creating new HD compatible PND's which would force all TT owners who are interested in using this technology into buying a new unit even though their old unit might be identical in hardware.
Now *that* would be shameless imo...
Posted on: March 4, 2008 - 09:32 hour
By:
jonstatt
It occurs to me that it would be in Tom Tom's interest to release NavCore 8 for x20 and lower devices sooner rather than later otherwise purchasers of the x30 will not benefit from enough user data for the IQ routes mechanism!
Also, Tom Tom may want to quickly get out an announcement regarding x20 upgrades or stores may find themselves in a difficult situation regarding sales for the next 2 months shifting old stock while waiting for the new. If they intend to upgrade x20 users with the latest software, they should announce it so that consumers will still buy in the meantime.
Are we sure the new TMC receiver would work on older units, or is there in fact a very subtle hardware change, which is the basis for the x20 to x30 transition. Interestingly in the UK I have found I get very good results with the revised TMC receiver (right-angle plug type) that comes with the 920. It held reception for over 80% of the time I drove over a 100 mile trip.
I have never seen such a short product cycle 920 to 930 before.
Posted on: March 4, 2008 - 11:30 hour
By:
stingray
Johnsatt,
"Right Angle TMC receiver plug"? whats all that about? I bought a 920T last week with the latest TMC receiver and the plug is not at right angles at all. Just a straight plug.
Posted on: March 4, 2008 - 13:05 hour
By:
Antti
QUOTE (jonstatt @ Mar 4 2008, 10:32)
Are we sure the new TMC receiver would work on older units, or is there in fact a very subtle hardware change, which is the basis for the x20 to x30 transition. Interestingly in the UK I have found I get very good results with the revised TMC receiver (right-angle plug type) that comes with the 920. It held reception for over 80% of the time I drove over a 100 mile trip.
I have never seen such a short product cycle 920 to 930 before.
If you look at the specs of 930 there isn't any change in the hardware at all. They are exactly the same minus the colour difference. I read somewhere (pocketgpsworld ?!?) that TomTom would be releasing the IQ thinggy already mind or early (not sure) April for x20 series but you need new maps to benefit from it (new maps again...). Also 930 comes with maps of eastern europe and russia so that might have been reason why they wanted to have new series. Anyway, how on earth are they going to cram maps of NA, all of Europe and Russia in to 4 GB since its already almost full (are we loosing map detail on new maps or what). Its worth metoning that 930 has 4 GB internal memory so thats the same along rest of the 920 specs. So if they are getting money out of NC 8 due to incentive of upgrading the maps (IQ) there is no reason why they wouldn't rush it out for current x20 users.
Edit: Bought my 920 (t) and the TMC plug is straight... Anyway, I'm getting good reception.
12-03
