PRESS RELEASE: TomTom Launches Navigator 3

RoyC · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 9:13 am Post subject:

There is always going to be a delay and more importantly, errors in the map data. It seems to me that TT should look to provide a 'patching' mechanism where third parties could create 'pseudo' road corrections which could overlay the fundamental map data until it is all replaced on the next major release. Then there is no risk of competitor foul play etc.

I can't imagine how that might be done but since the amount of data relating to a single road change would be small the upgrade effort would be minimal - I see a new Download facility on Pocket GPS forming here.

Such new roads should be shown totally differently from the normal ones to illustrate that these are 'user' added and not guaranteed.

Darren · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 10:09 am Post subject:

A few points here, let's start with mapping. Regardless of how many road changes there were it still requires a complete rebuild of the map database. The removal of unnecessary data, compression etc takes the time and effort and so even if it were only to include a single road the work would be the same.

The financial model is such that none of the major players foresee interim map updates as economic and so they will appear only with version updates etc of the application.

We were told during our meeting at CeBIT that the map data providers still insist on driving the road before they will incorporate its data into a map release. Whilst I can see no reason why major road builds such as the M6 Toll etc which appear on paper maps years in advance cannot be incorporated into digital maps to be ready in time for the road opening both TeleAtlas and Navteq appear to have fixed ideas here and resist change or suggestions from partners.

As for GPRS, if your service provider charges £30 to enable the service then change! Most now provide the service itself free and charge only for data usage with charges anywhere from £2/MB dependent on amount purchased and plans etc.
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Darren Griffin

acelaoder · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 21, 2004 Posts: 1

Couldn't tomtom add a feature which allows you to add new roads and edit existing ones yourself. The editing of existing one would be handy as there are some roads near me that have wrong one way info and also I have found roads on tomtom that don't actually exist.

Also something that would be handy is better lane information for roads especially motorways as some of them get quite confusing when there's lots of them instead of keep left or right doesn't really help when road markings and sign aren't that clear

woody67 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 03, 2004 Posts: 34

Darren · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:12 pm Post subject:

I think they are constrained by lecensing from the map data providers. This prevents them form making any modifications to the map data themselves.
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Darren Griffin

ianbar · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 1:35 pm Post subject:

In response to a suggestion that users might submit tracks to Tomtom, Dave Burrows wrote

"They would face the same problem we face with the Safety Camera Database. How would they know that:-

1. This is a valid route
2. You didn't fly it
3. The log file wasn't manipulated and sent in from one of their competitors

It's difficult to do this, you could easily find that the maps because very inaccurate very quickly."

However, I notice that ALK specifically ask Copilot users to send them track data, which they say they find useful. Perhaps they are more trusting.

gordonh · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 20, 2004 Posts: 6

Dave

The idea was that they would only do the update after receiving a number of tracks from multiple users. This would ensure that the tracks were as accurate as possible.

They could also include data in the file that is sent in that indicates who sent it in. If your data has a history of being correct it will hold more weigt than a first time uploader. The software could be setup to send only the new track and encrpyt it with the user details so you couldn't access the data directly, if it is indicated that the data has been modified the file is rejected.

This would ensure that the info was accurate, if there was a problem with a user uploading false data other users would soon spot it and it could be removed, this users data would then be rejected in future.

I don't think there would be the problem of people uploading false information on purpose because it'd screw up their system as well.

You wouldn't have the same problems as the Safety Camera Database because you have to actually drive a route and they would get multiple copies from multiple sources.

Gordon

dmac · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 3:55 pm Post subject: Re: Updating maps

DavidW · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 4:50 pm Post subject:

I covered the issues about users surveying roads in this thread. I know it's in the Navman forum - but it's just as appropriate to TomTom Navigator.

Those who are thinking of holding off on an upgrade because of omitted roads - as I read it, the upgrade price is only available for users who currently have TomTom Navigator 3. Whilst I understand the anger at the omission of M6 Toll, if you don't upgrade to Navigator 3, then when Navigator 4 comes along, you may well have to buy the complete package again. There's always the "Turn Guidance Off" feature if you know M6 Toll makes sense for your route.

I appreciate too that it seems potentially like a simple patch to add a road - but I suspect there's all manner of indexing and similar in the data files that would need upgrading, quite apart from the compression that Dave has already mentioned.

David
(back after an enforced one month absence)

Dave · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 8:18 pm Post subject: Re: Allow map editing

clem · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 10:30 pm Post subject: dave burrows wrote:

"1. You won't be able to use a Bluetooth headset (like I do). Unless your phone can support multiple Bluetooth connections (T610 can't!)"

Dave,

Do you know of any phones that DO support more than 1 simultaneous BT connections? I know that my Nokia 8910i doesn't Crying or Very sad

Ta
Clem

Dave · Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2004 11:31 pm Post subject:

TBH, the T610 is my first BT phone, so I'm not sure. From what I've heard from others, most people only get one BT connection which is a bit pants because it means if I want to do traffic type stuff then I can't use my headset. Then again though you can't use a GPRS connection and answer calls at the same time but it would be nice for it to auto-switch.

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