TomTom Steps It Up With Free Lifetime Traffic And Map Updates
It's a move that was probably necessary to fight Garmin, Navigon and the slew of other nav options that are now coming to smartphones, including Google's own Maps Navigation. Better still, TomTom will allow users to download fresh maps "every few months," which include one million more miles than rival maps. The lifetime updates to traffic is also huge for those who travel a lot (and get stuck in traffic jams a lot); in practice, TomTom devices receive the latest traffic information every three minutes, recalculate total drive time and suggest more efficient alternate routes if they are available.
Amazon is offering the XL 335S, XL 340S and XL 540S models bundled with Lifetime Traffic or Map Updates, or both depending on consumer preference. These models will be designated with an M, T or TM accordingly. The MSRP premium for Lifetime Traffic Updates is $30, as is Lifetime Map Updates ($30). Combined, it's a $60 premium price. Pricing on compatible units starts at $199.95.
|
Well now, this is good for TomTom users. Other companies who haven't adopted this will follow through soon I assume. In 12 months navigation through an area can change drastically. "Turn Left" when there clearly isn't a left turn. |
|
Garmin better be the next one to do this! my dad just updated his a month ago thought -.- it was $70 bucks cause my dad didn't want to go for the lifetime one -.- |
|
Yeah that's exactly what I was thinking.. I just got a Garmin nav a few months ago. And I paid over 140 dollars for it too. It had better get them free updates xD
|
|
Sweeeeet! I love it when a company employs a strategy that so obviously benefits the consumer. Unless others adopt the strategy in similar fashion it becomes difficult for them to compete. Even if they don't adopt the same strategy, they'll have to complement their current offerings with something better that again benefits the consumer. Way to go TomTom. |
|
Do you guys know that Garmin has been doing this for months? http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?whse=BC&topnav=&prodid=11481129&ec=BC-EC877-CatHome&pos=12&lang=en-US this is just one example of this. Way to go TOM TOM for finally joining the race... Too bad TOM TOM is continually in debt as well. No wonder people keep switching from this company... |
|
Whereas TomTom is announcing this across their product line and these will be available at all retailers in late April Garmin has a couple of bundles available at a couple of retailers not a general roll out unfortunately. |
|
Maybe it will catch on throughout the entire market and be offered without the price premium too. I know it's not free to create the updated map databases for these things, but new sales should offset these costs and the traffic infrastructure is already in place and functional. We'll wait to see if they really do step up and do the right thing,......... |
|
TomTom..Livinalie...TomTom!!! TomTom..jimmy/Timmy...TomTom!!! Its about time they have stepped up their game. At least I have been seeing their prices come down. I am sure, soon there will be a universal mapping system. Maybe then we will all have to pay another service charge. They will probably all link into something like Google maps, or One-services like U-TV. Like I have said before, these stand alone GPS manufacturers better do something quick. pretty soon they will be obsolete. So now is the time to create a different market and sell of GPS production to the auto makers. |
stuff on Hot Hardware
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
