TomTom redesigns Go in-car GPS kit

Shipping 1 April, apparently

By Tony Smith • Get more from this author

1st March 2006 13:37 GMT

Dutch satellite navigation specialist TomTom today said it will ship an updated TomTom Go range of in-car route-planning devices on 1 April. No fooling, the new 510, 710 and 910 models will feature a "world first" 4in screen, "greatly improved" GPS performance and a new computer dock.

tomtom go x10 series in-car GPS navigators

The new Gos will sport a new design centred on that 4in widescreen display, which TomTom claimed will make the line-up even easier to use. The Home dock connects the devices to a computer and the company's new TomTom Home software, a kind of iTunes for GPS devices, allowing the user to download and copy over maps, point-of-interest databases and, indeed, music, since the new machines will operate as MP3 players.

TomTom said the 510, 710 and 910 will include pre-loaded safety camera database. Like previous models, the new range incorporates Bluetooth to allow each unit to be paired to a mobile phone and used as a speakerphone. TomTom said it had improved this feature, along with the Go's GPS reception and speed.

Again, the devices will be differentiated in part by the maps they ship with - the top-of-the-range 910, for example, will bundle maps covering the whole of Europe, the USA and Canada - another first for the product category, TomTom claimed.

TomTom did not provide pricing details, saying only that all will be revealed "soon" - undoubtedly at CeBIT next week. ®