TomTom CTO - GO 1000 Will Support Custom POIs Next Year

Darren

With TomToms latest GO 1000 LIVE hitting the shelves this week, the issue of third party POI support is one concerns many potential customers.

As we have reported previously, TomToms GO 1000 and their new XL replacement, the VIA, do not support the installation or use of third party POIs or POI.

This is understandably considered a major issue, many satnav owners use third party POI databases and it has always been a cornerstone of TomToms products that they support third party POIs. So it came as a shock to discover that their latest premium model range would not offer such support.

We had the opportunity to raise this issue directly when we spoke with Mark Gretton, TomToms CTO yesterday. He apologised for the problem arising and went on to re-assure us that TomTom continued to recognise the importance of third party POI data and more importantly, the value that supporting such services brought to their products.

He went on to explain that time pressures were to blame for the omission of POI support at launch. With the roll-out of the new platform and back end utilised by GO 1000 and VIA proving complex they had been forced to omit non-critical features. The good news is that Mark promised they would be returning sometime in 2011.

This is very welcome news but it does leave the new products without third party POI support at present. Anyone considering a purchase is therefore reminded that, if such support is important, you should either postpone a purchase until such time as support returns or consider an alternative product.
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Darren Griffin

luvlara · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 4:44 pm Post subject:

This sounds to me like a thinly veiled attempt to force users to buy the TomTom speed camera database!

The excuse of not having enough development resource does not ring right. If this is recognised as being so important to TomTom why not wait until the products are fully ready for sale rather than half baked?

I guess I will be looking to Garmin for my next top of the range device.

pdfbt40 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 23, 2008 Posts: 56

I have to agree.

Having just replaced a system, Tom Tom was never considered for purchase. Too many ifs and buts....

Martin

Trevor · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 12, 2003 Posts: 21

I find it hard to believe they dropped it because if timescales. Perhaps I am to synical but as they have lots of POIs on their site for sale it seems very convenient.
No POIs then it is not for me.

andy-c1 · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 6:12 pm Post subject:

so in theory he is saying wait for the next version of TT which is what I will have to do Crying or Very sad

as I hate the 750
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TomTom 5001

asperion · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 15, 2008 Posts: 20

No 3rd Party POI's will mean that I will look at what Garmin have to offer Surprised

Darren · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 6:28 pm Post subject:

Darren · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 6:29 pm Post subject:

brucestid · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 5

Actually, TomTom is under no obligation to support third-party providers of POIs of any kind. It might make good business sense to support third parties, or it might not. That's for them to decide. (Personally, I think it would be misguided if they did withdraw support — but the company has made dumber decisions than that.)

Also, pocketgpsworld.com is clearly not an impartial commentator. If TomTom were to close off their platform, things might be very different for pocketgpsworld.

I've used pocketgpsworld's speed-cam database for some years and continue to do so. I personally would resent it if TomTom were to try to pressure me into subscribing to their own POI database by cutting off third-party support. I actually think the company is stagnating and has thrown away its leadership position through inaction and distraction.

BUT I think it's important to recognise the push and pull of commercial interests here, that's all. No existing TomTom customer is being affected — only potential new ones who would presumably walk into the purchase with their eyes open.

portman · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:04 pm Post subject:

I don't see the problem, its easy, DON'T buy it!!! They'll learn..

They have become the main player but as many companies to their cost have found out, things don't stay that way, so often by the failure of the company to listen to customers. Only got to look at Navman to see how it all goes wrong!

Certainly did me no favours with the XXL530TM World Traveler edition i bought, had to return it because they mis-sold it, saying it included lifetime map updates but what it actually included was lifetime map updates for all the countries except Europe!! So not lifetime updates then.....
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Samsung Mega
Tomtom 500

Andy_P · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:31 pm Post subject:

Robin2 · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:37 pm Post subject:

I would certainly not buy on the vague promise of it becoming available "some time in 2011". I don't need to replace my 720 at the moment, but if it breaks I will definitely look elsewhere if third party POIs are not supported.
Robin
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TomTom One v3 Europe, Navcore 7.903, Western Europe 835.2420
TomTom Go 720 Europe, Navcore 8.351, Western Europe 855.2884
Satmap Active 10
Plus a lot of other PDA GPS kit, seldom used

mikealder · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 8:24 pm Post subject:

Andy_P · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 8:55 pm Post subject:

Go on... you know you want to! Cool

Darren · Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 9:30 pm Post subject: Re: Hmmm…

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