TomTom coming with live video GPS?

[Mike Werner]

Tomtom filed for a patent for a GOS with a video feed, using an incorporated camera.

GPS instructions are superimposed onto the video feed. Looks promising.

TomTom video GPS

 

[davedyer]

I wouldn't hold your breath. Companies will often take out a patent on an idea well before the technology is up to providing the finished article.

Excellent idea, though. I had heard of Japanese firms intending to use mega gigabyte hard drives in sat navs to recreate the surrounding topology, rather like a driving video game, using satellite pictures. Bit like having Google Earth in your sat nav.

Tom Tom's idea seems a lot more efficient. However, there will be problems with camera angle, how would it work in the dark and where would you put the unit and/or the camera?

 

[Mike Werner]

I wouldn't hold your breath. Companies will often take out a patent on an idea well before the technology is up to providing the finished article.

Excellent idea, though. I had heard of Japanese firms intending to use mega gigabyte hard drives in sat navs to recreate the surrounding topology, rather like a driving video game, using satellite pictures. Bit like having Google Earth in your sat nav.

Tom Tom's idea seems a lot more efficient. However, there will be problems with camera angle, how would it work in the dark and where would you put the unit and/or the camera?

I actually wrote an article not so long ago about a real 3D navigation, including sat data. It was an Barcelona last year, in prototype mode...

As for the video, it makes sense. Whether you have a map or real live data with superimposed GPS instructions, it could make life a lot easier...

 

[andyclift]

But who in their right mind would buy anything from Tomtom. Definately not anyone who has experienced their service in the past.

 

[Mike Werner]

But who in their right mind would buy anything from Tomtom. Definately not anyone who has experienced their service in the past.

Having dealt with both Garmin and TomTom, both professionally and as a customer, I see no difference between them service wise. It's todays business curse, companies can make good products, but limit their after sales service in order to save money.

 

[andyclift]

Tomtom via Garmin

A quick comparison from my experience.

Answering phone. Tomtom gets `all lines busy, please try later' or `please hold on' every time. Garmin normally answers within a few rings.

Sending Email. Tomtom requires registration and the completion of a form on their website. If you are lucky you get a reply by email in a week. To respond to the reply you need to go back to the website. For Garmin you just send an email.

Returns. Tomtom require the email route above then after a week or so you get an email to download a returns form, then phone DHL and wait around for a pick up at a time they decide. For Garmin you phone to get a returns number, stick the unit in a Jiffy bag with the number on it and drop into the post office. Costs you a couple of pounds but quick, easy and in our own time.

Tomtom changed a unit faulty due to THEIR design fault in two months. Garmin changed a unit I damaged due to MY fault in three days and still did not charge.

For my full Tomtom experience check out www.tomtom.andyclift.co.uk. The saga is still ongoing.