TomTom EASE
TomTom has announced a new model, the TomTom EASE. Very observant industry types might recognize the device… it is essentially the same device as TomTom previously released in Europe under the name “TomTom Start”. The device is aimed at the bottom of the lineup with a simplified interface, somewhat similar in style to a Nuvi.
While near the bottom of the lineup, you do get a few goodies not always found at the very bottom. Text To Speech allows the device to not only give you voice prompts, but also speak street names. And we can’t say enough good things about TomTom IQ Routes. This technology records the actual driving times of other TomTom drivers for each road segment, for each day of the week, for each five minute time increment of the day. Those averages are then used to calculate the best route and most realistic ETA based on when you ask it to take you somewhere.
You also get TomTom MapShare and the Help Me menu. What still keeps this device at the entry point of the lineup is the 3.5″ display, and the USA only maps. About three million POIs are included. It will be available “early 2010″ in two colors, black and white.
A couple other items of note. The Ease is reported to include only US maps with about 3 million poi’s. No mention of a Canadian version. Sorry DHN
TomTom Ease is a great first time GPS user product. Very fuctional and easy to use. The 3.5 screen is easier to see than one would think, I wear glasses to see for a living. A great feature is the free 30 day download of the lastest maps and there are newer maps available. I hooked up and downloaded the maps, which is very easy to do with TomTom’w website. I haven’t heard any spoken street names yet, but I have only used my Ease on a short 6.2 mile trip. The street names are listed on the screen, so I wasn’t to disappointed. Would I buy the product again….Yes I would.
Addition to my original post. The TomTom Ease does speak street names. Make sure you use “Computer Voice” (i.e. Susan – Female Computer Voice) and street names will be spoken. As for my final thought – I would give the TomTom Ease 5 stars out of 5 for price, ease of use, and all the bells and whistles that come with it. I have made several trips with the device and had no problems finding my destination. Overall, excellant product.