TomTom ONE GPS Launched in North America

The slim TomTom ONE in-car GPS navigation device has finally reached the North American market, offering weather, traffic, and content synching with PCs and Macs.

TomTom has finally gotten around to launching its diminutive TomTom ONE in-car GPS navigation device in the North American market. The TomTom ONE is designed to be an entry-level product for folks just getting into GPS services, and combines touch-screen functionality with a real-time data and a tiny size which can easily be dropped into a bag or coat packet to move from car to car.

“The new TomTom ONE is TomTom’s most compelling all-in-one entry level product offering yet, demonstrating TomTom’s commitment to making navigation a reality for everyone,” said TomTom Inc. President Jocelyn Vigreux. “TomTom ONE is not only the most affordable integrated product we have brought to market, it also boasts exceptional quality in a streamlined easy to use package.”

The TomTom One measures just 3.8 by 3.2 by 1 inch and weighs just 5.6 ounces and the unit is dominated by a 3.5-inch, 320 by 240 color touch screen (there are no front-panel controls). The unit connects to PCs or Macs via USB or Bluetooth, and uses a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The TomTom ONE offers the usual space of in-car GPS features like 3D views, voice navigation, route planning, and points of interest. TomTom ONE users can also access add-on TomTom PLUS services, which can provide real-time traffic, weather, and road conditions, and even alert drivers that they’re speeding or heading towards safety cameras. TomTom HOME software enables users to manages content between the GPS and a PC or Mac, providing route planning, voice downloads, and map installation to keep the TomTom up to date. Although, the TomTom ONE only has 32 MB on board, and it’s not clear from the information available today whether the version released to the North American market will have an SD slot. One presumes so, but…well, chickens-eggs-hatching caveats all around.

The TomTom ONE should be available in late August at a suggested retail price of $499.