TomTom 1.3 released
So as everyone who has the app knows, and probably a lot of you that may not, TomTom 1.3 was released a few days ago. We looked at it and decided not to review it, we can’t review every single app that gets released, but what did interest us and many of our users was the lack of some of the features that are available to other countries. We received a number of emails asking us to contact TomTom to find out why some features are “missing” from the New Zealand version of the app.
Hit the ‘read more’ link to see what we got, what was missing and TomTom’s response to our email.
Below is the update description for both the New Zealand version of the app and the US version of the app.
New Zealand
What’s New in Version 1.3
- MUSIC FADING: Music fading will gently reduce volume while TomTom gives you driving instructions, and will return to normal volume between prompts.
- AUTOMATIC DAY & NIGHT MODE: Your app calculates local sunrise and sunset times to automatically adjust the screen brightness while driving, for a safer drive.
- ADD LOCATIONS from other applications and websites on your iPhone to your TomTom app and instantly navigate to them or store them as favorites for future use.
United States
What’s New in Version 1.3
- REAL TIME TRAFFIC: The best traffic information available today – for the fastest route every time and the most accurate arrival time estimate. Available via in app purchase.
- GOOGLE LOCAL SEARCH: Find countless shops and businesses wherever you are, and navigate directly there. Access the latest Google listings from within the TomTom app.
- NEW MAP: Drive with the latest, most accurate map
- MUSIC FADING: Music fading will gently reduce volume while TomTom gives you driving instructions, and will return to normal volume between prompts.
- AUTOMATIC DAY & NIGHT MODE: Your app calculates local sunrise and sunset times to automatically adjust the screen brightness while driving, for a safer drive.
- ADD LOCATIONS from other applications and websites on your iPhone to your TomTom app and instantly navigate to them or store them as favorites for future use.
As you can see we are missing three new features: Real Time Traffic, Google Local Search and New Map. Why you ask? Well, so did we. We emailed TomTom asking them why there is a difference and here is the response from Georgie Stent at JML Communications:
Hey Daniel,
Basically what it comes down to between the NZ and USA difference, is that the different markets require different maps and updates.
This is a free update to all existing TomTom app users in New Zealand. Currently no TomTom units (iPhone or PND) have a live traffic offering in New Zealand.
In regards to the Google Local search, in New Zealand the AA provide all the data for the TomTom maps, and this data is very complete and thorough. However, if there is any update to the Google Local Search for NZ we will be sure to let you know.
Kind regards,
Georgie
So there was no new map to update even though we know it needs one, there are no TomTom devices in New Zealand that have Live Traffic so the app didn’t get it either, fair enough I suppose but it would be good to get it here (as usual we miss out). And because TomTom use the AA in New Zealand to provide the information we don’t get Google Local search. Hmmmm, not sure about that one.
Some of you may ask what the big deal is – after all it’s only a couple of features and this is true, however, you pay a lot of money for this app, so why should we have less features than, say, the US equivalent.
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, but I do have to say I do like the new features the update does bring.
Not yet. We have emailed them and once we get a reply we’ll be sure to post it.
It's exactly that sort of a reply that worries me – it's not a reply from TomTom at all. It's a reply from their spin doctors. It kind of reinforces my hunch that TomTom isn't all that interested in their NZ market. Navigon increasingly seems as if it would be the preferred alternative for many of us – I wonder how soon they might consider releasing NZ maps for their iPhone app?
(mwgnz has made 5 comments)
@ mwgnz:
Totally agree – has there been any word on Navigon for NZ ?
(ungawa has made 2 comments)
How do I get the new update ?
(carper55 has made 10 comments)
So did anyone figure out how to
"ADD LOCATIONS from other applications and websites on your iPhone to your TomTom app and instantly navigate to them or store them as favorites for future use"
This would be useful – would like to add addresses from the iPhone calendar (or google calendar) straight to TomTom –
Possible??
(mattallen666 has made 8 comments)
This still, very disappointingly, seems to be the case? The AA data is shot and google’s search technology is far superior to the in-app POI search.
Weird thing is, when I had a jail broken version of tomton NZ, it had local search – now I have paid for it, I don’t :/
(astubbs has made 1 comment)