TomTom for Android Review

TomTom has  been in the Navigation game for a long time, mainly focusing on standalone GPS units. But with the proliferation of smartphones, many users are finding the need to buy another piece of hardware unnecessary. Many have been turning to mobile apps that can do it all on the device you carry around, especially Google Nav. There have been several different Navigation apps for Android, but not many have been able to dethrone Google. On the iOS front, they have had several options for a while. That was where TomTom came into the mobile space, focusing on Apple at first. Now TomTom has set their sights on Android with the release of their first Android App.

For many who use Google Nav, it works well, but has always had it limitations. Since much of the computational grunt work is done on Google Servers, you always have to have a constant connection to get it to work. That means, if you love to drive across the border, you’ll be looking at pricey roaming plans or hefty roaming fees (or you’ll have to use paper maps, ugh…).

And this is where TomTom comes in. TomTom has brought along a Navigation app that will store all your maps and navigation software onto your phone. As a results, you never need a connection to navigate. This will save you data and battery life. Since the big three carriers have vowed to never institute unlimited data, this has become a significant issue for many people. Also, you will be able to use it over the border (given you have bought the correct version).

First you will need to download the correct app from the play store. Each version of the app works for certain regions, and varies in price from $37.99 for Canada and Alaska to $74.99 for all of Europe. Odds are, you will be looking at the US & Canada Version, which retails for $49.99. Of course, it’s completely up to you. These costs are one time charges, so it may seem steep, but will save you money in the long run if you worry about going over your limit each month.

After installing the app, it will want you to install the map data. Make sure you have enough space, because it eats up a lot. The US & Canada app ended up eating over 2GB of internal space. After it is finished downloading, you are ready to go.

If you are used to Google Nav, you will have some learning to do. This app is constructed completely differently. I suppose it is built like the traditional TomTom Navigation units, but I haven’t used one, so I’m not sure. If you are familiar with those, you will probably know how to use the app.

You are first shown a over-the-shoulder view of you, as an arrow. To get to the main menu, you need to tap the screen, anywhere except at the bottom. Tapping their opens the volume control options. This took me a while to figure out. Once on the main menu, you are give the choice of Navigating, changing current route, viewing map, advanced planning, or settings. If you want to get traffic information. You will need to go into the TomTom shop and purchase a subscription to traffic info ($2.99 for 1 month, $19.99 for 1 year). This was a bit of a stinging surprise, considering how I thought I would only need to pay once. I know that they need to work to keep the traffic info up to date, but it is an additional cost that Google does not charge you.

When you chose to navigate somewhere, the screen will give you different choices: Home, Favourites, Address, Recent Destination, Local Search, Points of Interest, Points of Map and Contact. This is a very nice comprehensive list, especially the Points of Interest. This is a nice addition you will not find in the Google Nav app. It allows you to search through many different categories to find what you may be looking for. Google places has some restaurant and cafe sections, but it’s not nearly as comprehensive.

Unfortunately, I hit a snag when I wanted to find a post office on my way home from work. As many Canadians know, post office stations can be found in many other type of locations, like a convenience store or pharmacy. The one I was looking for was right on my way home located in a 7-eleven. When I tried searching for it, TomTom came up with nothing. This was somewhat disappointing, but not something Google Nav could do anyways.

In addition, when working through all the different menus, there are too many layers. It is very easy to get lost in all the menus. Searching for locations requires too many clicks. Once I type the name in and hit ok on the keyboard, I still need to hit next at the bottom of the screen. There were several times I waited to find a location only to realize it hadn’t begun searching because I hadn’t clicked the next button.

Search is also poor. When I search for a location using Google Nav, it will search all around me, including the entire country, for a business or location with a similar name. That means that if I want to find a location, I just need to search. TomTom’s menus have made that extremely difficult. If I intend to pick up a package in US, and I want to search for it I will need to click Drive to -> Local Search -> Search near you -> type “Business Name” -> Enter -> Next and be greeted with “No Matches Found”.

Click “Local Search”

Click “Search near you”

Type Location and hit Enter

hit “Next”

No location Nearby

Unless I know the exact address and put it in, I will need to click Drive to ->Local Search ->Search in City -> -> Select State or Province -> Type “City Name” -> Type “Business Name” -> Enter -> Next. Then it will find the location. After that, I will need to click Business Name -> Select -> Depart from this location: Yes ->Go!

Select “Local Search”	Select “Search in City”	Select Region, Type in City	Type Location and hit Enter	Click “Next”
Select Location	Select Location…again	Confirm start point	Now hit “Go!”

Wow, that was a lot of steps… Google Nav was one search, TomTom was a convoluted mess off menus and dialog boxes. I think some one needs a lesson in UX design…

In additions, much of the app operation seemed slow. This may have been because I had to use it on my Nexus S (TomTom does not support HD screens at the moment), but I did not find the same kind of slow down when using Google Nav. I also experience quite a bit of crashing or freezing up, where you will be moving, but your little arrow will be staying still, but this may also have been my hardware’s fault. That was only fixed by backing out and exiting the app and reloading. When it reloaded, you were back to where you left off, with the navigation path still put in.

Some nice features in the app include many different kinds of voices in different languages, however most of them felt fake. In general, only the Advanced voices really sounded nice, but it was good to have the choice. Also the app includes several nice pieces of information on the main display. Your measured speed alongside the speed limit lets you know if you are exceeding the speed limit, especially when you can’t figure out those pesky mph units the US seems to love. Also, traffic information is posted nicely on the side, showing you locations of accidents and roadwork, relative to your position and the destination.

Overall, I find myself having trouble recommending this app. I love the idea that I can still navigate without data, but the slow downs, complicated menu system, large file size and constant slow downs and crashing gave me nothing but headaches. I suppose on more capable machines, this app will run well, but until it becomes available (TomTom told me there should be an update to support HD displays by the end of the year), your superphone will be left in the cold. That being said, it’s a high price to pay for those limitations.

If you are someone who needs a nav app, but is worried about using up too much data or who travels to the US often, this app may work well for you, but I suggest waiting out until HD is supported and putting it on a more capable device, especially one with external storage. >2GB is too much on my little old Nexus S. For me, my 6GB data plan is more than enough to give me Google Nav, without all the extra costs.