UPDATE: Read my hands on review of the TomTom GO LIVE 1535 M.
TomTom is announcing the GO LIVE 1535 M today which, according to them, is the first PND to feature apps. Now we could quibble over that characterization, but nevertheless, they are debuting a device with Yelp, Trip Advisor, Expedia and Twitter.
Set to hit store shelves this autumn, the GO LIVE 1535 M falls somewhere between the VIA series and the GO 2535M LIVE (which will get the apps via a firmware update this fall). Hardware-wise, the GO LIVE 1535 M will be based on the VIA platform, with its integrated mount and resistive touch screen. This is probably the VIA LIVE model we reported on last month. The new TomTom will carry an MSRP of $299.
So what will three Benjamins get ya’? Lots of ratings and reviews, via Yelp, Trip Advisor and Expedia, as you can see in the screen shots below.
Then there’s the Twitter app. Don’t worry, you’re not going to get an endless stream of tweets. As a matter of fact, there is no capability to read tweets at all. There are however, options to tweet your arrival time, check-in, etc.
As nice as it looks, it sure isn’t going to turn the tide in the headlong rush to smartphones, and personally I don’t see it as any more than another niche product with limited appeal. What do you think?
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