TomTom 2004 Announced for Pocket PC

[Pat Logsdon]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/comments.asp?id=450' target='_blank'>http://www.gpspassion.com/fr/comments.asp?id=450</a><br /><br /></div><i>"TomTom Navigator 2004 marks the arrival of the "NewTomTom" on the PocketPC Platform, after first being launched on the PalmOS platform earlier this year and then being used on the GO and Smartphones in Europe. While less feature rich than Navigator v2 up to now, "NewTomTom" offers a more consistent user interface with TomTom's trademark "fluidity" in 2D and 3D modes."</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/logsdon_20041014_tomtom.jpg" /> <br /><br />Features include:<br /><br />• Voice-guided routing instructions<br />• Large on-screen icons, eliminating the hassle of drop-down menus<br />• Door-to-door navigation<br />• 2D or 3D map presentation views<br />• Updated maps of the United States and Canada with all street names labeled<br />• Ready to use on any device using Pocket PC or palmOne, regardless of screen size<br />• Four million Points of Interest (POI); Customizable POI categories<br />• Highly accurate TomTom GPS receivers, both wired and Bluetooth wireless<br /><br />I see good news and bad news here. More "fluidity": Good. More Points of Interest: Good. More accurate maps: Good. Being forced to buy hardware with the software: Very Bad. By making the decision to "lock out" users who don't need new hardware, TomTom is losing the potential business of everyone a) unhappy with their current software and/or b) looking to upgrade their current software. What's your take?

[jonathanchoo]

Navigator 3 eventually came out in software only package so I am sure Navigator 2004 will one day be sold software only.

Also, TomTom offered a free/reduced price update for Navigator 2 users who wished to buy Navigator 3. Hopefully there would be a similar program.

[Arqentus]

hmmmm,

" Ready to use on any device using Pocket PC or palmOne, regardless of screen size"

Dident they say there where not going to release Tom Tom with vga support, or are they just using pixel doubling ... i wonder ...

[IanT]

I have TTN3 bluetooth and would be less than impressed to find out that they had shut me out of future upgrade paths. I have spent a lot of money on hardware and software with TomTom and hope they don't desert previous users. Lets hope they follow previous practise.

[Dazbot]

I was considering buying a Navigator 3 & Bluetooth GPS this month, but now I'm not sure.

Does this upgrade include the UK, I've read the press release and looked on the products pages but it only talks about the US?

Do we have to wait another 3 months for it to arrive and is it any better that version 3?

[bbarker]

I already have TomTom Navigator 2 and TomTom wired GPS hardware, so all I need it the software upgrade. I hope they offer it and that it's at a good price.

[bibap]

I've seen the new GUI on my TomTom Go and it is really a great improvement on version 2 (the new interface was first done on the Go and then on the Palm). I reviewed Version 2 on our site and did not think it compared well with a number of products. However, version 3 is a real winner. The 3D view is great (and it actually has road names in the 3D view - a lot of them) and the new TeleAtlas maps are spot-on accurate in my part of the world (NJ). As a matter of fact, I was never a fan of the 3D view and the new GUI converted me completely. I sincerely hope that they will not cripple the product by tying it to hardware. The major thing it is missing is text to speech.

[JvanEkris]

In europe they sell a lot "Software-Only" versions. I can see no reason why not to start selling them.....

Jaap

[carphead]

I think that they might only sell it as a hardware + software onky bundle. Ultimately it reduces their support costs and they only have to write for one system.

They've done it with smartphone so why not with ppc?

Admittedly they'll lose a lot of customers (including me). As somebody over a gpspa ssion pointed out it would be fine if their gps units were the best but they aren't :)

Shame if they do because I love tt :)

[FredMurphy]

Support? I'm think of changing my phone and might go for one that would replace my PDA's TomTom duties. (The 5450's Bluetooth connection to my Socket GPS is very flaky.) I mailed them regarding products that would run TomTom Mobile and didn't even get a reply. :s

[Darren Behan]

Just got off the phone with TomTom customer service who said that they will be offering (supposedly in the next few weeks) for around $50 to existing customers. Forgot to ask about the software as standalone to new customers, sorry.

Personally, I've been very happy with TomTom and would have been surprised if they left their existing customers out like that. I think their activation is a bit heavy handed but for the average person who doesn't change PDAs like clothes, it works fine.

db

[ikesler]

Just got off the phone with TomTom customer service who said that they will be offering (supposedly in the next few weeks) for around $50 to existing customers.


db
Now you're talking! I love the current version, but do not need any new hardware........ the software I am all over........ I know I and other users have been requesting street names in 3D view forever........ and there they are!!!!!!!!!!! NICE! Ready to go for software only, but if they don't offer it like that, I am not buying it at all............

[ale_ers]

Navigator 3 eventually came out in software only package so I am sure Navigator 2004 will one day be sold software only.

Also, TomTom offered a free/reduced price update for Navigator 2 users who wished to buy Navigator 3. Hopefully there would be a similar program.

Was their a US version or was it only for UK/Europe? I have been trying to find that out via their web page and e mail to no avail.

[Dazbot]

Navigator 3 eventually came out in software only package so I am sure Navigator 2004 will one day be sold software only.

Also, TomTom offered a free/reduced price update for Navigator 2 users who wished to buy Navigator 3. Hopefully there would be a similar program.

Was their a US version or was it only for UK/Europe? I have been trying to find that out via their web page and e mail to no avail.

The US didn't have a version 3 at all, with this new release everyone will hopefully have the same version again.