TomTom XL 335S - Affordable Widescreen Navigation
TomTom has announced the TomTom XL 335S, an affordable widescreen unit that offers some pretty nice higher end features at a very reasonable price. The newest TomTom comes with a 4.3-inch screen, and the "S" designator indicates the Text to Speech capabilities; two of the must-have features in my mind for regular GPS users.
The unit brings IQ Routes, TomTom's data based routing engine that delivers more accurate routing based on actual drive times collected from users, and Lane Guidance a graphical representation of highway interchanges that makes figuring out where to go and what lane to be in a lot easier.
The TomTom XL 335S will be listed at $239, and includes maps of US and Canada.
TomTom, today announces a new addition to the world's best-selling portable navigation device portfolio, the TomTom XL 335S. The new model incorporates a design that features a 4.3 inch touchscreen, text to speech, TomTom's innovative IQ Routes™ Technology and Advanced Lane Guidance. The XL 335S has a suggested retail price of $239.95.
"The XL 335S offers first-class navigation at a competitive price point," said Jocelyn Vigreux, president of TomTom Inc. "It allows drivers to take those routes that only well-informed locals know, reducing the stress of not knowing where to go and when you will arrive. In addition, our Advanced Lane Guidance feature gives drivers the information they need to drive more safely and more confidently when traveling through complex road junctions."
Optimal Routing
The TomTom XL makes smart use of the driving experiences of millions of TomTom users worldwide. It taps into over 800 billion speed measurements on the map to plan the fastest route (IQ Routes™ technology) and allows users to make their own map changes and benefit from thousands of free map corrections made by TomTom users every day (Map Share™).
Advanced Lane Guidance
The TomTom XL 335S also incorporates TomTom's Advanced Lane Guidance feature when navigating in the US. Advanced Lane Guidance provides users with realistic representations of complex highway junctions and lane-specific visual directions that take the stress out of navigating these otherwise challenging areas.
Additional Features
In addition to the above mentioned features, the new TomTom XL 335S device comes with:
- Complete maps of the US and Canada
- 4.3 inch touchscreen, for increased visibility of driver's surroundings
- Spoken instructions, including street and place names
- Seven million points of interest, so users have access to information and location details of more restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc. than ever before
- TomTom Map Share™ technology, so users can instantly modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more on their devices and benefit from corrections made by others
- TomTom Help Me! menu and extensive safety features, so users have direct access to safety and emergency services information
- TomTom's newest user menu with an elegant interface that features optimized icons for even easier navigation
- Award-winning Fold and Go EasyPort® mount, that easily folds to fit in any bag or shirt pocket
- TomTom HOME, the free desktop application to keep users' devices up-to-date at all times. New maps or software versions can be downloaded and users can personalize their device
Availability and pricing
The new TomTom XL 335S will be sold at retailers in the US and Canada for $239.95.
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Posted by Scott Martin at October 14, 2009 6:47 AM
Lee,
Nope you are not stupid, and a lot of people have the same point of view; I am using the iPhone as a nav device right now, and yes, the portrait view is pretty good at giving you the view ahead. It's pretty nice.
I do think that the widscreen gives you a bit better experience on the map when navigating. It's like the difference between having tunnel vision versus good peripheral vision - it can help to be more aware of roads around you, and alternatives to what's going on. Despite the what the song says, life is not just a highway, and you need to understand how your route relates to the surroundings and what roads you are taking in relation to other things like Points of Interest. This is somewhat intangible though.
With that said, I think that the big selling point for me in a widescreen is the vast improvement over a standard size screen because of what happens OFF the map screen. The widescreen offers the ability to have a QWERTY keyboard instead of an ABC layout. The buttons grow from barely finger tip size to about finger tip size, making data entry a lot easier for everyone, especially those who are losing some dexterity or clarity of sight. It's really this and the fact that you can do more, faster, when you are navigating through screens with let's say six icons instead of just four.
Hope this helps.
-Scott
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