| Once GPS (global positioning systems), created | | | | destination the operator has chosen. Some of |
| originally for the United States military, hit the | | | | their systems will integrate with cell phones using |
| streets and citizens could use it for free all over | | | | Bluetooth. Those that have this capability can |
| the world, manufacturers of receivers | | | | access traffic-congestion maps, take calls, and |
| mushroomed. One of those manufacturers is a | | | | read aloud SMS (short message service) |
| Dutch company, TomTom NV. TomTom quickly | | | | messages. |
| became the leading manufacturer of navigation | | | | “New” points of interest can be created |
| systems in Europe. In the United States and | | | | on newer versions of TomTom as well as |
| Canada, their slogan is “Go confidently.” In | | | | map-error corrections. If a user adds these, |
| the UK it’s “Find your way the easy | | | | TomTom will provide them to other users for |
| way.” | | | | free. Some are verified by TomTom and are |
| With roads all over the world getting busier and | | | | labeled as such. For now, only blocked streets |
| the time it takes to get anywhere longer, | | | | that have been unblocked and traffic directions |
| tempers tend to flare. This is a good time for | | | | that are shown to be going the wrong direction |
| global positioning systems to become as common | | | | can be changed. Street names can be edited and |
| as Henry Ford’s a car in every garage. | | | | points of interest can be shared as well. These |
| TomTom leads the way in providing traffic | | | | changes will come up instantly on the receiver |
| reports so drivers can go around the bad spots | | | | they are created on. TomTom will make all other |
| as well as in alerting them to dangerous road | | | | changes if they are sent in, and they will appear |
| conditions on their routes. TomTom traffic service | | | | on future map updates. |
| is available in Austria, The Netherlands, Belgium, | | | | TomTom Plus |
| France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, | | | | For a fee, TomTom Plus will warn drivers about |
| Switzerland the United Kingdom. Even if you are | | | | speed cameras, give weather updates, and |
| traveling from one country to another, one | | | | provide traffic alerts. TomTom Plus only charges |
| subscription guarantees that you will have | | | | fees for these services in Europe; they are free |
| services in that country. | | | | in the US and Canada for now except for |
| TomTom markets four types of products: | | | | cameras. Another service provided by TomTom |
| * TomTom GO and ONE—portable models for | | | | Plus is traffic data over a Bluetooth-enabled cell |
| automobile navigation. | | | | phone with Internet service or with an add-on |
| * TomTom RIDER and TomTom RIDER | | | | aerial that picks up RDS (radio data system), |
| 2—for motorcycle and motor scooter users. | | | | broadcast on FM radio frequencies. |
| * TomTom NAVIGATOR—software for PDAs | | | | TomTom Plus Compatibility |
| and Pocket PCs. | | | | Only specific cell phone models from AT&T |
| * TomTom Mobile—software for cell phones. | | | | Cingular and T-Mobile are compatible with |
| Using a flying interface, the units offer an oblique | | | | TomTom Plus. Also, Internet service must be |
| bird’s-eye view of the road. They also | | | | purchased through that cell-phone provider in |
| provide a direct-overhead map view. A GPS | | | | addition to the plan from TomTom. The |
| receiver shows precise location. It also gives visual | | | | subscription cannot be enabled without a license |
| and spoken directions for getting to the | | | | code. |