Home page » Mobile Devices

Search:

Isn't it nice when potential rivals pair up and get all chummy...

In an announcement which could hardly be more straightforward (or sensible) TomTom has confirmed it has partnered with Google to bring the added local business information of Google Maps to its range of devices.

All a user has to do is find the business/restaurant/store of interest and an expansion of Google Maps' 'Send to' feature will offer the option 'Send to GPS'. This information is then transferred to TomTom HOME and stored on the device itself when it is next connected to the PC. From here users can navigate directly to the destination as well as save it as a 'favourite' for later use.

"The ability to search, find and send information from the web to a TomTom is something we have been investing in for some time now. We are pleased to work together with Google Maps on this personalisation functionality," says Eric Pité, TomTom VP of Product Management. "This cooperation represents a major step for TomTom in meeting the growing demands of our customers for personalised content for their TomTom devices."

On the back of this, TomTom claims it will continue to explore further partnerships with third parties to expand its personalisation options - though no extra details were forthcoming.

Now what also peaks my interest in this is the non-specific wording of Google Maps' 'Send to GPS' feature. It could easily have said 'Send to TomTom' so I suspect other manufacturers may soon be promoting this feature too.

Now will someone just build Google Maps into a Sat Nav device, let it update dynamically over the Internet and call this soon-to-be-smartphone-swallowed-sector closed...?

Link:
TomTom Google Maps Demonstration Video

Add your comment

© 2003-2008 TrustedReviews | About Us | Contact Us | Legal | Privacy | RSS