Tom Tom has been around the GPS business for quite a while. TomTom Navigator 6 is the latest version of TomTom navigation software for PDA's and mobile phones.

It is the ideal solution for customers who need their PDA or smartphone and navigation system integrated in one personal device.

Tomtom version 6 has some improvements when compared to Tomtom 5. Upon initial startup,  Tomtom 6 looks nearly identical to Tom Tom 5,  but it is improved in both functionality and usability.

New Features.

Users of Tomtom NAVIGATOR 6 can also take advantage of TomTom’s desktop software application TomTom HOME, which enables users to easily download, store and transfer data and services to their device.

At startup You notice the difference, the program now starts up quite some faster (around 10 seconds versus the older startup of about 30 seconds).

The installation can be done by inserting the memory card or DVD and following the prompts.  Activation of the device hasn’t changed,  you send in your device ID and get back an

activation code which you enter into your PDA.

Tomtom 6 comes with updated Tele Atlas maps. As far as the maps are concerned, there’s a new feature where tunnels appear as a shaded  version of the roadway.

The menus and screens offer a little more color depth resulting in a overall appearance. 

Tomtom has also improved the POI features of Navigator 6. There are more custom POI categories and you can search for a POI across the categories.

Tomtom now displays exit signs as they appear on the highway.

TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 also includes TomTom’s innovative TomTom Buddies service, users can locate each other and send instant messages.

Other new key features of TomTom NAVIGATOR 6 include:

• Navigate direct to contacts stored in your address book

• Arrival time planning: Plan a route based on your desired
  arrival time

• Safety Lock: Disables a number of menu items before
  driving, ensuring that maximum attention is kept on the road

• Realistic visual instructions: Visuals replicate road signs,
  making them easier to follow

• Simple installation and easy-to-use menu

• Improved User Interface: with night view and 65,000 colors
  for optimal visibility.

• Clear 2D or 3D maps

• Instant re-routing if you miss your turn

• Easy call handling: navigate while receiving phone calls

• Multilingual: TomTom NAVIGATOR speaks some 22
  languages in over 50 different voices

Tom Tom Home

One of the new features, as mentioned, is the additional availability of Tom Tom Home. This is a desktop application that helps you manage your Tom Tom services and devices.

Tomtom Home is to your Tomtom device (or PDA) very much as iTunes is to your iPod. 

General and overall Impressions.

Tomtom 6 navigator supports a huge number of languages. That is probably one of the reasons they do so well in the market for navigation software and stand-alone units. The improvements like ease of installation and door-to-door

routing are nice. Tom Tom 6 is a good upgrade of Tomtom 5. The new features and improvements give this upgrade his value.

About TomTom

TomTom is a provider of personal navigation products and services. Their products include all-in-one navigation devices which enable users to navigate right out of the box. The award-winning family: TomTom GO, TomTom ONE and the TomTom RIDER. TomTom also provides navigation software products that can be integrated with third party devices: the TomTom NAVIGATOR software for PDA’s and smartphones. TomTom’s products are sold through a network of leading retailers in 20 countries and online. TomTom was founded in 1991 in Amsterdam and has offices in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific.

Author: Bert Colijn