TomTom NV (Euronext: TOM2) is a Dutch manufacturer of automotive navigation systems, including both stand-alone units and software for personal digital assistants and mobile telephones. It is the leading manufacturer of navigation systems in Europe. TomTom's customer service is located in Amsterdam.
In 2008, TomTom acquired Tele Atlas, a digital map maker, for €2.9 billion.
History
Tele Atlas purchase
On 23 July 2007 , TomTom made a €2 billion offer for Tele Atlas, a digital map maker, which was accepted by the Tele Atlas board. This was then trumped by a €2.3 billion offer from Cayman Islands-based rival Garmin on 31 October , 2007, effectively initiating a bidding war for Tele Atlas. TomTom responded by upping their bid to €2.9 billion, an offer which was again approved by the board of Tele Atlas. Garmin had been expected to counterbid once again: with Tele Atlas' main global rival Navteq subject to a takeover bid from Nokia, the company had stated that it did not wish both companies to fall into the hands of rivals. However, after striking a content agreement with Navteq through to the year 2015, Garmin withdrew its takeover offer, clearing the way for TomTom. On 4 December 2007, TomTom shareholders approved the takeover.
Patent infringement lawsuit
In February 2009, Microsoft filed a patent infringement lawsuit against TomTom alleging that the device maker's products infringe on patents related to Microsoft's FAT32 filesystem. As some TomTom products are based on Linux, this marked the first time that Microsoft tried to enforce its patents against the Linux platform. On 19 March TomTom filed a countersuit alleging Microsoft is infringing 3 of its patents.
The two parties announced an out-of-court settlement on 30 March 2009. TomTom paid Microsoft an undisclosed sum and will reduce functionality in its products, while Microsoft did not have to pay for the TomTom patents.
According to open-source evangelist Jeremy Allison, other vendors which used Linux and FAT32 were not sued by Microsoft because of secret cross-licensing agreements, covered by NDAs, whereas such secret clauses are forbidden by the GPL license.
Products
TomTom offers two types of products: navigation devices and navigation software for installation on mobile devices. The navigation devices and portable devices with installed software are referred to as units .
TomTom units provide a flying interface with an oblique bird's-eye view of the road, as well as a direct-overhead map view. They use a GPS receiver to show the precise location and provide visual and spoken directions on how to drive to the chosen destination. Certain TomTom systems also integrate with mobile phones using Bluetooth, traffic congestion maps or to actually take calls and read aloud SMS messages.
In most cases, the differences between the different models is on a software level. The hardware (at least inside the unit) is relatively similar across the entire range, with the exception of certain functionality such as FM transmission, Bluetooth, handsfree calling (requires microphone) and enhanced positioning technology (done through motion sensors in the device).
Because of the restriction being mostly software based, some people have been able to upgrade their software to a top end model, using low end hardware (such as a ONE XL or GO 510), and getting most of the functionality of a brand new top of the range GO 940.
The global slogan for TomTom is "the smart choice in personal navigation". In the United States and Canada, they currently use "Go confidently". The UK slogan is "Find your way the easy way". A past slogan used in the United States was "The number one-one GPS-S in the world-world".
TomTom GO
The TomTom GO is an all-in-one GPS navigation device. It has a touch screen, speaker, USB port, internal Lithium ion battery, and comes with TomTom HOME software. It charges, synchronizes, and updates its data by connecting to a Windows or Mac PC running the TomTom HOME software via USB cable. Most models (and all new models) have Bluetooth transceivers that allow connection to a smartphone. This allows it to make and receive calls. Bluetooth equipped models are able to receive traffic and weather updates using the TomTom Plus service on phones with DUN data service.
TomTom ONE and ONE XL
The TomTom One is the base model for automobile navigation. The difference between the TomTom One XL and the TomTom One is the size of the touch screen (4.3" vs. 3.5"). Neither model of the One contain the added functions included in the Go models, such as Bluetooth hands-free calling and MP3 Jukebox. However, the One is able to receive traffic and weather updates using the TomTom Plus service when paired via Bluetooth with a mobile phone with a DUN data service. The reduced software capability means less demand on the hardware, which allows the One to be sold at a significantly lower price than the Go. The XL is also available as a Live version with integrated LIVE services.
TomTom RIDER
Portable models for motorcycle and motorscooter users.
TomTom NAVIGATOR
TomTom Navigator is a GPS navigation software product for personal digital assistants (PDAs), Palm devices, Pocket PCs, and some smartphones. TomTom Navigator 6 replaced the earlier TomTom Mobile 5.2. It can use GPS receivers built into the device or external (e.g., Bluetooth-connected) receivers..
Navigator 7 is the latest release of this software, released as a part of the software that came with the HTC Touch Diamond released in June 2008. Frequently used functions can be added to the main screen of the program, and users can report map corrections and share them with other users.
Navigator supports touch screens; devices without touch screens use a cursor to input data. The software is available on SD card and DVD. It runs on a number of devices listed on the TomTom website, but will run successfully on many unlisted devices using the Windows Mobile operating system.
The DVD version includes a DVD, printed 15 character Product Code, Quick Start Guide, Licensing Agreement, a poster with a picture diagram for setup procedure of DVD version and SD card version, and an advertisement for associated TomTom PLUS services. The DVD contains installation software for TomTom Home, software for mobile devices, licenses, manuals, maps, and voices. The software for mobile devices includes CAB files for Palm, PPC, Symbian, and UIQ3.
List of TomTom navigational devices
TomTom HOME
TomTom HOME is a 32-bit PC application that allows synchronization/updates to be sent to the mobile device. The container states that it is compatible with Mac OS X v10.3 or greater and Windows ME/2000/XP/Vista (see above reference). After installation it performs an automatic software update. It then has options to choose a device to be associated to and activate the software. A caution is given that the software only allows one device to be associated and the associated device can be changed only after six months since the previous association. TomTom HOME version 2.0 and above is implemented on the Xulrunner platform. With version 2.2, TomTom HOME added a content-sharing platform where users can download and upload content to personalize their device such as voices, start-up images, POI sets, etc.
Despite it being based on the cross-platform Xulrunner, TomTom Home currently lacks support for Linux
TomTom Mobile
Navigation software for several mobile phones. Discontinued after release 5.2; Navigator, which does not support all the phones that Mobile did, is the nearest equivalent. Mobile 5.2 cannot use maps later than v6.60 build 1223; this and earlier program versions are not compatible with all map versions, particularly other builds of version 6.
TomTom for iPhone 3G and iPod Touch
A version for the iPhone was announced at the Apple WWDC Keynote speech in early June, 2009 and released internationally on August 15th 2009 on Apples App Store, with various map packs for different regions. TomTom Vice President of Marketing Development with TomTom, gave information in an interview by Macworld in July 2009.The app is compatible with the iPod touch used with the TomTom car kit.
Services
TomTom PLUS
The company offers a line of fee-based services under the name TomTom PLUS , which include services to warn drivers about speed cameras, provide weather updates, change voices and provide traffic alerts. Currently the fees are only for European countries.
Traffic data is also available in many parts o
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