New TomTom for Android app moves to subscription model

Darren

TomTom have re-launched their Android navigation app with a ground up re-write. The new app shares the same updated interface as their latest GO satnav range but, notably, will now use a subscription payment model where the app is free to download but features such as navigation, real-time traffic and speed cameras will require a subscription to access.

The app comes with 50-miles of navigation, traffic and speed cameras included for free each month, ideal for low milage drivers or to evaluate the app and services. A subscription will cost £14.99 for one year or £34.99 for three years. That compares favourably with the price of the old app. The old app cost £34.99, add on a one year traffic sub at £18.99 and it's not hard to see that this is good value for those who use it a lot.

Existing owners of the Android app have not been forgotten. For 50p they will get a three year subscription, the 50p fee being imposed by Google who have no mechanism for gifting free upgrades to new software like this.

It's a big change for sure. Some will no doubt balk at the subscription model but this new pricing structure makes sense and the inclusion of traffic alerts is a huge bonus.

The new app is now available on Google Play:

TomTom Android - Google Play

Source: www.tomtom.com
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Darren Griffin

JockTamsonsBairn · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 6:15 pm Post subject:

Good to see that they are offering what amounts to a free trial!

Previously, there were a number of different Android Apps, "TomTom U.K. & Ireland", "Europe GPS Navigation TomTom", "TomTom Iberia", "TomTom Brazil", etc. depending on which map you wanted. There doesn't seem to be any indication, with the new version, which maps you get. Any ideas?
Will the new version allow the import of POIs?
Will the new version allow the use of the Camera Database to give Alerts?
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Jock

TomTom Go 940 LIVE (9.510, Europe v915.5074 on SD & 8.371, WCE v875.3613 on board)

JockTamsonsBairn · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 6:22 pm Post subject:

This page throws a little light on the map question!

alanlakes · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2015 7:07 pm Post subject:

I had the Tomtom U.K. & Ireland app. Updated and was offered 3 maps - U.K. & Ireland, Europe and Western Europe. Picked Western Europe which downloaded. No charges except 98p not 50p.

Have copied PGPSW camera files from "old" app into new apps folder which looks correct as it has same files in it as old app. Cannot see them on map but seem to think you did not on old app until using it under battle conditions.

All is well looking forward to using it.

Alan
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Tomtom Go 6200, Tomtom GO Android app, Garmin GPSMap 62stc, Garmin Oregon 450, Memory map V5 & V6, Moto G6, CamerAlert, Copilot Premium, MM Tracker.

iantj · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 08, 2009 Posts: 7

Based on the screenshot you have to hit the bottom left of screen (very small target) to do anything while driving?

Was that the same on the old android?

I use the iPhone app which lets you whack anywhere. Fairly useful if phone is on a mount. I loathe my wife's go for that reason (amongst others)

IanS100 · Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2015 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Small touch area?

Big_Daddy · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 11, 2007 Posts: 4

Well no custom PoIs means I'm not upgrading!

I've paid the 50p to secure the offer but I'm not going to push the button to upgrade until a hero comes along with a way of adding custom PoIs to the new app. Shocked

Big_Daddy · Occasional Visitor Joined: Feb 11, 2007 Posts: 4

Thanks for that John. I've now upgraded and can confirm that the old app carries on working.

You do need space for both sets of map data. The new app is quite helpful in installing itself and its map to the SD card if that has more space than internal storage.

JohnF · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2015 5:37 pm Post subject: POI Icons

I have the POI's working ok as per the above post. Thanks Big-Daddy. Has anyone cracked getting an icon to show on the map rather than a white blob. I have tried png & bnp files used in previous versions in the same directory with no luck.
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Nexus 5, Ipod Touch 4G and iPAQ h2210 TomTom Navigator 6.75

Regards John

JockTamsonsBairn · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 1:01 am Post subject: Re: POI Icons

IanS100 · Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:01 pm Post subject:

AliOnHols · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Oct 15, 2008 Posts: 1940

Agreed.

For me it's a No-brainer of a business decision.

Buy a licence to use the PgpsW database, they could then re-write the software to allow 3rd party POI's so that executives and reps and delivery drivers, et al can drive to their clients, etc. This should stem the hemorrhage of TT users looking for these features elsewhere.
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Garmin Nuvi 2599
Android with CamerAlert, OsmAnd+, Waze & TT Europe.
TomTom GO 730, GO 930, GO 940 & Rider2.
SatMap Active 10 & 20.

maxdot · Lifetime Member Joined: Jan 11, 2011 Posts: 57

I've been trying the new TT GO app and am a bit mystified about the POIs. My old Android app is installed on a Samsung Galaxy Note 1 and it's easy to find the right folder on the app to add tourist POIs that I have created on my TT 1000 GO and then transferred to my computer. The new app I've installed on a Moto G phone and when I connect that to my computer I can't find any sign of the TT app even though it IS installed and functioning. And I certainly can't trace anything called \Android\data\com.tomtom.gplay.navapp\files\files\personal\pois. I've plenty of \Android\data\com.XXXXXXXX files but no tomtom. Anyone have an idea if that is a Moto G problem or a TT GO mobile app problem?
I suppose I could try installing the new one on the Samsung but I'm terrified of losing the old app which I find really suits me, though there are points about the new one I find attractive - both visually and practically.
It looks as if you can't select which POIs are visible in the Map View over the whole map, just those that are real close to your position - in spite of the fact that there is a 'Whole Map" button as well as 'On Route' and 'Near You' button.
Any ideas?
Thanks
Maxdot

maxdot · Lifetime Member Joined: Jan 11, 2011 Posts: 57

I've been exploring the new TT GO mobile app for Android a little further and to my astonishment I find that it is impossible to go across downloaded map borders. So the only way it is really usable is to have at least the entire Western Europe download (at 4.8 GB which for many phones is way too stressful) to get from, say, London to Paris or Paris to Geneva. Downloading just France and Germany and expecting to get from Strasbourg to Frankfurt will leave you stranded on the border. Not bad in these Schengen days!

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