Lifetime map updates coming to TomTom models
UPDATE: Our TomTom XXL 540TM page has been posted.
Well, well. In what could be the biggest news coming out of CES in terms of auto GPS this year, TomTom has announced that they will offer Lifetime Map Updates, a feature that will be incorporated into a range of TomTom units released in 2010.
At first I thought TomTom’s acquisition of Tele Atlas paved the way for this and that Garmin was going to be at a severe disadvantage. But Garmin may follow suit; either company will just add in the cost of lifetime map updates to the unit price. Still, it wouldn’t surprise me for TomTom to be able to bundle them for less.
Lifetime map updates will help negate some of the advantage of mobile phone apps that can tout always having the latest maps. Of course, with lifetime traffic and lifetime map updates, consumers are going to lose some incentive to upgrade to a new unit. This means that there will be even more pressure on TomTom (and anyone else who adopts this model), to add new and compelling features. We can only hope they will be useful and not fluff or eye candy.
Here’s the full news release:
TomTom, the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, today announces that it will offer Lifetime Map Updates, a feature that allows customers to automatically receive map updates as they become available. This feature will be incorporated into a range of TomTom products in 2010.
“Roads are continually changing– from new street names to closed bridges – so it’s important for users to always have the most up-to-date maps,” said Jocelyn Vigreux, president of TomTom Inc. “With the introduction of Lifetime Map Updates, customers can rest assured that the directions their TomTom device provides will always be the most accurate and efficient available.”
Highest Quality Maps
TomTom Lifetime Map Updates utilize Tele Atlas maps, which are continually updated to include improvements on 6.5 million miles of roads, millions of Points of Interest and map updates and speed profile data generated by the millions of drivers in the TomTom US user community. Tele Atlas’ comprehensive network of global resources – ranging from government documents to satellite and aerial imagery, in conjunction with continuous input from TomTom’s user community enable TomTom to deliver the highest quality maps to its users. .
Availability
In order to download TomTom’s Lifetime Map Updates, TomTom users need to simply connect their device to TomTom HOME, TomTom’s free desktop software, and if map updates are available, they can be downloaded to the device. Registered TomTom users will be notified of new map updates as they become available. Typically, Tele Atlas releases maps on a quarterly basis.
The new Lifetime Map Updates will be bundled with a wide range of TomTom devices starting in early Q2, 2010.
