TomTom’s x50 Live GPS Sport IQ Routes, New Interface

By Geoff Duncan September 3, 2009

TomTom Go 950 Live with active dock — Image used with permission by copyright holder

At this week’s IFA trade show in Berlin, GPS maker TomTom has introduced its new Go x50 Live series, consisting three new flagship GPS navigation units: The TomTom Go 950 Live, the Go 750 Live, and the Go 550 Live. The units all feature TomTom’s IQ Routes, which uses the the real-world travel experience of million of drivers to calculate the quickest routes between points. The units also sport a revised user interface with a new Live Snapshot feature that puts things like traffic info, fuel prices, and and safety alerts front and center.

“As the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, it is our duty to constantly break new ground, developing unique technologies with the sole purpose of making the driver’s journey more reliable, predictable, and affordable,” said TomTom managing director Corinne Vigreux, in a statement. “Our unique innovations guarantee the fastest routes, so users are empowered to confidently deal with the ever-changing road situation and take the right decisions accordingly.”

The IQ Routes feature is based on a database of real-world traffic data for a wide variety of roads, from major highways to local roads, based on data reported by millions of motorists. TomTom says that IQ Routes results in a faster route then typical route-planning algorithms about 35 percent of the time, saving not only time but fuel. The new x50 series not feature voice control, so users can operate them hands-free, and the units come with an active dock for integrated RDS-TMC traffic service information.

The Go 950 Live will come with pre-installed maps for door-to-door navigation in the U.S., Canada, and 45 European countries, along with enhanced positioning technology to keep navigation services going even in tunnels and other places where GPS reception is spotty or non-existent. The Go 750 Live will offer door-to-door navigation for 45 European countries, while versions of the Go 550 Live will offer maps for specific country or region in Europe.

TomTom says the Go x50 Live series will be available this autumn (we’re assuming northern hemisphere); no pricing information was released.

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Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

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