TomTom Buddies
Completely new in firmware version 6 is TomTom Buddies. This extensive, new feature was no doubt inspired by popular chat software like MSN Messenger and ICQ. In a similar fashion, users can see each others location on their units assuming they've added each other to their Buddies list. The Buddies are shown on the map, providing they are located somewhere on the map that is currently loaded on your Treo . If one of your Buddies is located in California, and you've got the USA map loaded, you won't be able to see him, despite him being in your Buddies list. Of course it's also possible to plot a direct route straight to your Buddy.
The showing of the location of Buddies doesn't always happen automatically. Every time something is done online that involves Buddies, your own position is forwarded. If you don't do anything, this automatically means your position doesn't refresh on the unit of your Buddy.
If you want to know the most recent position of a Buddy, you can request a position refresh. This request is then sent to your Buddy. If your Buddy's Treo is switched on, has a GPS fix and GPRS/EVDO connection, his position will be sent to you. This also means that a user has to select himself the Buddy who's position he wants to see. Every time the unit is switched off, the locations are lost and have to be requested again.
TomTomWeather
The TomTomPLUS weather service has changed. Instead of only showing the current weather, the user can now also request the weather forecast for a certain location for the coming five days. By tapping onto one of the shown dates, a more detailed weather forecast is presented. This way, TomTomhopes to provide a more usable service.
Navigating to coordinates
Many users have been requesting this for a long time, and now their request has been fulfilled: in version 6 it becomes possible to directly enter lat/long coordinates and plot a route directly to those coordinates. In case these coordinates aren't located on a road, the users can choose to let the software calculate a route as close as possible to the entered coordinates.
Safety options
The safety options menu has two options: one is the known option for deactivating the map view when surpassing a certain self-selected speed. The other option is new: it makes it possible for the user to deactivate certain buttons while driving.
Change TomTom PLUS account
With this option, the user can enter a different TomTom PLUS account and password.
Ask ETA
When this option is enabled, each time a user enters a destination, the requested time of arrival is asked. After entering this time, the PND shows how much sooner or later the requested destination will be reached.
Show driving direction with local name or exit
The newest TeleAtlas maps (version 2006) hold more useful information for the driver. The changes aren't big, but they make navigating a bit easier. Eg. Apart from the road number, the new maps also show the local/common name of the place. Because of this, road signs can more easily be used as a navigational help.
Show exit with name
With the new maps, exits are no longer numbered, but the actual name is shown. This makes things more clear and leaves smaller margin for error, eg. in case exits were re-numbered.
Show maximum speed
Lastly, the new maps also make it possible that your current speed is shown, together with the maximum allowed speed. If you drive more than 5 km/h too fast, the speedometer turns red. If you drive more than 10 km/h too fast, it also starts blinking.
Traffic
The Traffic part of TomTom PLUS has been expanded. Other info besides traffic jams is now also shown. Eg. road works, slippery roads because of snow, reported ghost riders, etc The four screen caps to the right show a few examples of the notifications you may expect.
Report safety cameras
Another expansion in the TomTom PLUS services is the possibility of reporting safety cameras yourself now. A bit deeper hidden into the menu, there's the 'add camera location' option. This option enables you to report a safety camera, or a mobile speed camera, by means of tapping onto the specific location on the map, entering an address, favourite, recent destination or exact coordinates. You can also enable as shortcut if you wish, and then the 'report' button is shown on the main screen. This way you can immediately report an (until then) unknown camera. The PLUS service also lets you choose weather your device updates its known safety camera's list automatically, or if you want to do the refresh by hand.
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