TomTom is One of The Best GPS Devices You Can Buy

With the explosion in Android smartphones as well as the arrival of satnav around the iPhone, prices for smartphone satnav software have plummeted inside the past 12 months.

It really is now a commodity in lieu of a luxury, and that puts standalone goods including the new TomTom Go Dwell 750 in a very precarious position. Is there any room for a $380 solution when you can buy the equivalent on a telephone for beneath $100?

It can't possibly compete on cost, but that does not mean this is often a poor item. In fact, this TomTom continues inside profitable vein of last year's Go 740 Reside.

It gives excellent routing, with IQ Routes to ensure that those it calculates are based on genuine average speeds as opposed to posted speed limits. Map Share will allow you to make the most of user-submitted map corrections and send inside your own.

In our road tests, the TomTom Go 750 Stay, just like its predecessor, is the only solution to come close to reliably discovering the fastest routes in and around Sydney, and its directions are clear and timely.

So what's new? Well, not a whole lot. The UI has been given an update, such as a long-overdue revamp of the dashboard panel and route overview screens.

The map graphics have been tarted up, and IQ Routes data has been added to the traffic bar on the correct with the primary display. Inside the routing selections, you now have the alternative to go "Eco", which will choose the route likely to use the least fuel.

We'd adore to have noticed a sleeker device with a nicer screen, but it is really even now packaged in the same dumpy 127 x 24.three x 85mm (WDH) shell, which makes it awkward to stash inside a pocket, along with the screen remains stuck at a lowly 480 x 272.

But although the Go 750 Dwell is beginning to look old-fashioned, and it surely isn't worth an upgrade from the Go 730 or Go 740 Live, it is even now the finest in the organization. And at a value considerably lower than its predecessors.

TomTom's New Simplified "EasyMenu" User Interface

 I've complained for years that TomTom's interface was turning into a labyrinth of endlessly nested menus, and was acquiring unnecessarily complex. Apparently I'm not the only one, and TomTom has responded with EasyMenu -- a simplified menu program that gives one-button access to probably the most normally used attributes.

TomTom demoed the new EasyMenu interface in New York last week, and overall I assume most users will discover EasyMenu an improvement over the previous menu process. Power customers may complain that some features are now hidden, and really need far more taps to utilize, but there's no denying that the most generally utilised functions are now less complicated to utilize.

EasyMenu is presently accessible on TomTom's new XL 350 and XXL 550 models.

Scion Will Sell Toyota FT-86 in 2012

Just the Facts:

 * Toyota plans to sell the FT-86 as a Scion.
 * U.S. sellers have been told the entry-level sports automobile might be priced from around $25,000.
 * It may well be marketed in 2012 beneath the identify Scion FR-S.

TORRANCE, California — Scion dealers have been informed this week that they will promote the Toyota FT-86 in the U.S., according to media reports quoting dealer sources. The production version of the vehicle reportedly will be unveiled next April at the 2011 New York Automobile Display and will probably be priced inside U.S. from around $25,000. It might be marketed in 2012 below the title Scion FR-S.

The FT-86, jointly developed with Subaru, was introduced in idea form a year ago in the Tokyo automobile display. Widely identified, somewhat pejoratively, as the "Toyobaru," the FT-86 will share its simple architecture with a Subaru companion, acknowledged internally as 216a, according to the Web website Toyobaru.net.

Toyobaru.net's report said the Subaru model may perhaps be sold only in Europe, although the Scion-badged FR-S is likely to be a U.S.-only model.

2011 Mini Cooper Price Gets High

Just the Facts:

 * 2011 Mini Cooper hardtop commences at $20,one hundred.
 * 2011 Mini Cooper convertible begins at $25,550, Clubman at $21,800.
 * New Countryman is priced between $22,350 and $27,650.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, New Jersey — BMW's Mini subsidiary is raising costs from $600-$750 on its 2011 models. The least high priced Mini for 2011, the Cooper hardtop, has finally broken by means of the $20,000 cost point, climbing to $20,100 from $19,500 last year. Rates involve a $700 shipping charge.

The 2011 Mini Cooper Convertible now starts at $25,550, though the 2011 Cooper Clubman is priced from $21,800.

Last week, Mini mentioned its all-new Cooper Countryman would start off at $22,350. On Wednesday, the organization stated the midrange Cooper S Countryman will carry a sticker of $25,950, whilst the range-topping Cooper S Countryman ALL4 will start at $27,650.

Inside Line says: With just a bit of additional gear, the high-end Minis will simply top $30,000 in 2011. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent

 

TomTom HD Comes to In-dash GPS

TomTom has pulled the covers off its philanthropic Site visitors Manifesto, with aims to reduce site visitors congestion for the good of all mankind. Underpinning the Site visitors Manifesto is TomTom’s Hd Traffic, which today saw itself updated to version 4.0 of your technique.

The Site visitors Manifesto, outlined by TomTom’s CEO Harold Goddijn, states that “Our site visitors technology is presently utilized by over 1 million drivers by way of smartphone, TomTom personal navigation gadgets and in future via in-dash systems”.

The fascinating factor is the use in the term “in future”. We know that TomTom already has in-dash devices with many manufacturers (Renault becoming the most significant integration), but they go on to state that they'll “Build relationships with automotive manufacturers with the objective of having TomTom’s High definition Site visitors navigation technique as regular on in-dash navigation systems”.

Interestingly, Harold Goddijn produced reference to an announcement that is going to be produced at the 2010 Paris Motor Exhibit (2-17 October) in passing during today’s Visitors Manifesto announcement, mentioning "an adaption of the system". Could we see Hd Visitors coming to in-dash products subsequent week? Or will it be a fresh cope with a new car manufacturer? Previous rumours have suggested that TomTom is nearing an announcement and corroborates the Paris Motor Show timing.

Around the smartphone front, TomTom has previously been coy answering questions on whether there might be a TomTom for Android app, but again its Targeted visitors Manifesto suggests it really is on the road map: “Make our technological innovation readily available on leading mobile platforms. We aim to have millions of people today utilizing TomTom’s Hi-def Targeted traffic navigation process through smartphones”.

Speculation perhaps, but it’s clear that TomTom is thinking out of the PND box.

UPDATE: It appears that particulars of TomTom Carminat Live have been appearing on some automobile internet websites covereing particulars from the up to date Renault Laguna becoming launched in the Paris Motor Display. Nothing official from TomTom or Renault, but this looks like a dead cert.

 

BMW Get the GPS Fits Ipad

Keeping your youngsters quiet in the again of your car or truck on a lengthy road trip can be a Herculean task - trust us we know.

Then back again in April Apple launched the iPad and all was very good within the world when it came to watching the newest episode of SpongeBob Squarepants or Shaun the Sheep in the vehicle on extended journeys.

Good, yet it created a new issue: where to put it.

Leave it from the kids' lap and they touch it pausing the video, seconds later the screams start; get out the bungee cords and you've got a cabin that appears a mess.

In steps BMW clearly seeing this as a issue that may stop you wanting to purchase their cars from the future.

It really is answer?

A factory integrated technique for your rear seats of some of its luxury autos for that Apple iPad.

The providing, judging by the image, will allow the iPad to be mounted around the back of your headrest both in landscape mode as you'd a portable DVD player, too as portrait mode if you are typing or playing.

Either way the major difference is that it looks professional.

BMW already has a factory docking method for your iPhone that puts it on the dash in front, but it really is beneficial to see BMW thinking of other devices other than just a GPS system that calls for you to purchase maps each and every 6 months on a CD.

 

GM Employees' Policy

Common Motors Co. is giving about 600,000 employees and retirees within the United States and Canada the probability to purchase stock inside company's upcoming first public providing at the IPO selling price.

GM is supplying the directed reveal program as component of an IPO scheduled for November.

In a letter dated Sept. 30 to workers and retirees, the automaker asked employees and retirees to pre-register their interest inside the share purchase system on the web or through mail by October 15.

The letter says that the organization has not determined a maximum or minimal quantity of shares that an employee or retiree can acquire beneath the program.

The minimal investment is expected to be greater than $1,000, on the other hand, according to the letter obtained nowadays by Automotive News.

GM has yet to figure out the preliminary share value of its initial public offering.

Directed reveal programs are a prevalent way for employees to buy stock in their employers.

GM spokesman Pete Ternes confirmed currently that the letter had been sent. But he declined to provide details simply because of regulations governing comments about the upcoming IPO.

Analysts believe the IPO could possibly be one of the largest in recent history, permitting the U.S. government to recoup $8 billion - $10 billion with the a lot more than $49.5 billion it spent to rescue the automaker.

The U.S. government owns about 61 percent of GM, and the Canadian and Ontario governments control 11.7 p.c. An independent wellness care trust controlled by the UAW owns yet another 17.five p.c with the automaker.

Ternes mentioned GM has acquired some feedback from employees and retirees that they had not acquired the letter as of today. He explained the company would communicate to personnel if an extension is allowed.

The plan is becoming provided to salaried and hourly employees and retirees.

Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is administering the GM talk about software.

GM has about 54,000 UAW-represented hourly personnel and almost 400,000 UAW retirees.