Tele Atlas Maps Enhance TomTom Personal Navigation; Pocket PC Navigation Becomes More Precise, More Flexible
GHENT, Belgium--March 17, 2003--Using the latest Tele Atlas data, Palmtop Software has taken its highly successful TomTom Navigator package to new levels of functionality, in the car or in the hand.When Palmtop Software launched the TomTom Navigator package for hand-held computers in mid-2002 it was an immediate success and sold in tens of thousands. Now TomTom Navigator 2 is taking several steps further ahead.
TomTom Navigator 2 transforms a pocket PC into an easy-to-use personal navigation system. Route planning, map reading and finding a way around difficult traffic conditions are all taken care of.
The latest Tele Atlas mapping data carries a wealth of detail, enabling TomTom to improve the ease of use, with even greater functionality. Despite containing more information, these latest maps do not take up extra memory, thanks to the latest memory-saving techniques.
New features in TomTom Navigator 2, include:
| -- | Navigating from door-to-door using house-number ranges or postcode precision |
| -- | Instant route re-planning around any unexpected obstacles encountered on the journey, such as road works or traffic congestion |
| -- | Compatibility with the address book in Pocket Outlook to allow route planning directly from the contact database |
"Tele Atlas has invested substantial amounts in developing high quality digital maps for navigation systems," said Rolv Eide, Chief Operating Officer of Tele Atlas Europe. "Palmtop Software combined that data with their creativity to become a key player in the development of the personal navigation segment that now represents one of our fastest growing product groups."
"TomTom Navigator is an affordable and flexible solution to a well-known problem, how to get from A to B," commented Harold Goddijn, CEO of Palmtop Software. "We believe it is the foundation for a potentially very large market."
TomTom Navigator 2 will be available across Europe early in April 2003. Current users will have access to an upgrade.
Tele Atlas is a worldwide leader in the development of state-of-the-art geographic databases. It has the largest portfolio of the most highly detailed and positionally accurate digital maps of both Europe and North America, covering around 343 million inhabitants in 18 European countries and providing 100% coverage of the whole of North America. Visit www.teleatlas.com for more about Tele Atlas. Find information on the latest CDs for the Becker, Blaupunkt, Clarion, Kenwood, Siemens VDO and VDO Dayton (Philips CARiN) navigation systems on www.navshop.com.
Palmtop BV is a global provider of software for handheld computers and mobile phones. TomTom, the consumer brand name for Palmtop BV, offers mobile users a broad range of innovative travel products including personal navigation systems, travel guides and dictionaries. Palmtop was founded in 1991 in The Netherlands and has offices in Amsterdam, London and Boston (MA). The company's products are sold through a distribution network of top retailers in more than 15 countries. To learn more about TomTom, visit www.tomtom.com.
Background information
The kit
TomTom Navigator 2 comes complete with the TomTom GPS receiver -- a brand new state-of-the-art device, connections and magnetized holders with various mounting options to fit simply and quickly in any car. Power is provided from the cigarette lighter socket. Holders can be held in place magnetically so the navigation system can be transferred easily from car to car. It is compatible with pocket PCs operating on Microsoft Pocket PC.
In the car, turn-by-turn instructions are given visually and verbally. The map display provides a constant update on vehicle location. The zoom-function display shows everything from a whole country to a single road feature. On arrival, the TomTom GPS receiver makes TomTom Navigator 2 truly portable as it unclips from the dashboard holder to be carried together with the pocket PC.
TomTom Navigator 2 can be operated in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and Dutch. Verbal instructions can also be given in Flemish, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish.
The coverage
Tele Atlas mapping for 15 European countries is available for TomTom Navigator 2. One map is supplied and data for the other countries can easily be obtained. The data is provided on CD to run on a PC. The user selects the data segment needed and transfers it to the pocket PC memory or a memory card. Countries covered include France, Italy, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom, the Benelux and Scandinavian countries. Whole countries can be carried on a single memory card. The Benelux requires 54 MB while the largest coverage on one CD is Germany with Austria and Switzerland at 230 MB.