TomTom is continuing its push to gain ground in the mobile satellite navigation (SatNav) space by rolling out a new version (v1.11) of its iOS app.
If you’re not a fan of Google Maps navigation, and TomTom’s punchy pricepoint doesn’t deter you, then you’ll maybe want to check out this latest version, though if you’re already on board then it will be free for you to update.
Drivers can now quickly navigate to places they’ve found online and in other apps, simply by copying an address and pasting it into their TomTom Navigation app. So, no need to type – the app will automatically work out the destination and direct you straight there.
While v1.10 reeled in Facebook Places (as well as Twitter integration), this latest incarnation adds a Foursquare Places Search feature.
Once you’ve linked Foursquare to the TomTom app, you can search and navigate to your favourite places. While you can still use it even if you’re not an active Foursquare user, if you do log in you can automatically check in at your destination.
Founded in 1991, TomTom became one of the world’s top in-car SatNav suppliers and today it sells its products in more than forty countries. Although Google’s omnipresent Maps product offers a pretty comprehensive free alternative to TomTom, Apple confirmed a global maps licensing agreement with the Amsterdam-based company earlier this year, which will clearly offer a huge shot in the arm to TomTom.
Its latest app also brings a number of other improvements, with the latest TomTom maps and a new certified Danger Zones service that helps drivers deal with speed cameras in France, while adhering to new laws against camera alerts.
“Drivers now have new ways to find places with their TomTom app,” says Corinne Vigreux, Managing Director Consumer at TomTom. “This should be particularly helpful when people are off on holidays and day trips. They can find great places to visit and get there fast with Foursquare or a quick copy-paste. And that leaves more time to relax and have fun.”
To complement this latest release, TomTom also recently unveiled a new hands-free kit for iPhone-toting drivers. This kit comes with an in-built 2 watt speaker, and a new ‘switch’ on the latest version of the app lets drivers choose to stream their audio through their car kit.
Depending on where you live, you’d maybe want the Western Europe, UK & Ireland, USA & Canada or any of the other localized versions from around the world. The update seems to have been rolled out to all the ones I checked, but will set you back $59.99/£49.99/€69.99 depending on where you’re based. And as mentioned already, this latest version will be free if you’re merely updating.
Get the TNW newsletter
Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week.