TomTom Offers New Map Subscription Service

by Jennifer Johnson — Saturday, March 21, 2009, 11:55 PM EDT

TomTom recently unveiled its new Map Update Service which will provide customers with easy access to a full year’s worth of quarterly map updates for a one-time fee. This new service will cost as little as $39.80 per year or $9.95 per map release.

To receive the map updates, users will need to connect their TomTom GPS unit to their computer and use the TomTom HOME software to download and install the updates. New maps are made available every quarter. Each update includes all changes in the road network that have been verified by Tele Atlas. Map Update Service subscribers will be alerted of updates as soon as they are available.

The new Map Update Service is one of many offerings from TomTom that strives to provide users with up-to-date maps. TomTom’s Map Share and 30 Day Latest Map Guarantee also provide users with updated maps. TomTom’s Map Share enables users to make updates and corrections to their own device and to benefit from changes made by other users (though these changes aren’t verified for accuracy.) Map Share is free; all content comes from the TomTom user community. TomTom’s 30 Day Latest Map Guarantee provides users with a one-time free map download via TomTom HOME if a new map becomes available within 30 days of the first use of the GPS device.

According to TomTom a new map release such as those available through the new Map Update Service includes thousands of miles of new roads and Points of Interest as well as unique Map Share corrections that have been reported by TomTom customers and verified by Tele Atlas. The Map Update Service provides users with a full year of quarterly map updates for a one-time fee.

The new Map Update Service is available to all TomTom customers. Subscription prices are for US and Canada maps. Prices will vary depending on the TomTom device model.

Tags: GPS, navigation, TomTom

Jennifer Johnson

Jennifer grew up around technology. From an early age, she was curious about all things related to computers. As a child, Jennifer remembers spending nights with her dad programming in BASIC and taking apart hard drives to see what was inside. In high school, she wrote her senior term paper on her experiences with building custom computers.

Jennifer graduated from the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. After college, she began writing full-time for various PC and technology magazines. Later, she transitioned to the Web. In these roles, Jennifer has covered a variety of topics including laptops, desktops, smartphones, cameras, tablets, and various consumer electronics devices. When she's not playing with or writing about the latest gadget, Jennifer loves to spend time with her family, capture memories with her camera, and scrapbook.

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