TomTom satnavs go social in New Zealand

Tweet, Search and Go - TomTom satnavs go social in New Zealand

~ Drivers can now safely tweet their ETA and search live travel reviews using driver-friendly versions of Expedia and TripAdvisor~

Auckland, 9 May 2012 – TomTom today gives drivers a look into the future of dedicated GPS devices by introducing Twitter™ functionality, and a range of new travel features, to its New Zealand LIVE Services customers.

TomTom’s new Search & Go LIVE Services –include Expedia and TripAdvisor. Drivers can now pick a hotel with availability and price information from Expedia and find the best places to visit using trusted reviews from TripAdvisor. Once they're on their way, they can keep friends and family up to date on their destination and arrival time on Twitter. The features are now offered across all TomTom GO devices in New Zealand.

"We know that people want to stay connected and more so when they’re driving on a road trip. We’re giving them the option to tweet their ETA and their destination, as well as offering advice about places to visit and eat at en route through new Search & Go LIVE Services," said Valerie Cross, Public Relations Manager for TomTom Asia Pacific.

The Twitter functionality in TomTom LIVE devices features an option to tweet the driver's destination to their followers with the ETA. The Twitter message is pre-set by the user before they set off, so they can concentrate safely on the road without worrying about informing people when they're going to arrive. The estimated time of arrival will be updated before arrival to give more accuracy. All Twitter functionalities are optional - they can be turned on and off, depending on the user's preferences.

Within the Search & Go LIVE Services portfolio, the Expedia feature allows people to compare accommodations in their vicinity. Trip Advisor gives drivers access to impartial reviews for restaurants and accommodation.

Each of the new Search & Go LIVE Services have been created to work seamlessly with TomTom's leading map and routing technology. This means that once drivers have read reviews and selected where they want to go, they are automatically offered the best route to get there. All TomTom LIVE devices can calculate the quickest route through traffic congestion using TomTom HD Traffic, the world’s most accurate and detailed traffic service that updates road conditions every two minutes ensuring drivers are always on the best route.
"TomTom is bringing a new level of connectivity to the car without compromising safety and is giving drivers a glimpse into the future of connected navigation. We will continue to develop real-time services and content that is useful and relevant in the car," added Cross.
The Tweet, Search and Go capabilities are just part of the experience offered by a major software update bringing a whole range of new features to TomTom LIVE Services customers
The software update also includes dozens of other new features and enhancements. An alternative route viewer gives drivers a bird’s eye view of other routes, several improvements have been made to the Safety Cameras service, and content sharing is now far easier.
Customers can download the new Twitter, Expedia and TripAdvisor LIVE Services upgrade from www.tomtom.com/mytomtom.
Notes for editors

The software update is available on TomTom GO LIVE 820, GO LIVE 1000 and 1050 World, GO LIVE 2050 and 2050 World devices. Drivers with GO LIVE devices currently can download the update from MyTomTom. The update is enabled when a customer’s LIVE subscription is valid.

Other new features and improvements include:
• Latest alternative route viewer
Shows you a faster alternative route when one is available.*
• An improved Safety Cameras service
Drivers are warned about safety cameras with new, clearer icons.
They can report and delete safety cameras with a single touch.
They can confirm that a safety camera is still there.
And they can see their average speed when driving in an average speed check zone.
• Support for the memory card slot
If their navigation device has a memory card slot, drivers can now install their maps on a memory card.
• Easier POI installing
Drivers can install multiple POI files or POI categories on their navigation device using a ZIP file.
• A new privacy policy
A new privacy policy for the collecting and sending of anonymous information to TomTom.**
• A quicker start time
After the software update, navigation devices will start up quicker.
• Automatic start up and switch off
When the device is connected to the charging cable in a car, it will turn on and off with the car ignition.
• Further user improvements
Various performance enhancements, user-interface improvements and bug fixes have been implemented.

* Only available with an active LIVE subscription or with a TMC receiver.
** You can find more information about the data TomTom gathers at www.tomtom.com/yourdata

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